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Protecting your house against rats and mice means saving money and safeguarding your health. These pesky rodents have earned a reputation for spreading diseases and damaging everything in their path. Rats multiply at an alarming rate; so do mice and spread the same diseases. These steps help to keep away rats:

• Close off all small gaps in your house (foundation, roof, attic, etc).
• Use high-strength mesh to cover air ducts.
• Trim down and cut back big bushes and plants around the exterior of your house.
• Keep the lawn as short as possible.
• Store woodpiles and other debris far from main house building.
• Clean/surveil any bird feeders.
• Don’t feed pets outside of your house.
• Don’t store pet food in garages, sheds or attics.
• Use airtight metal, plastic or ceramic containers to store food/water supplies.
• Repair leaking pipes.
• Keep clutter at a minimum, dispose of unwanted belongings.

Cockroaches, like most types of pests, thrive in dark, moist places, and eat virtually anything they find. Fabric, paper, and stored food are all subject to cockroach appetite. In addition, cockroaches are known to spread disease. They carry 33 kinds of bacteria, seven kinds of human pathogens, and six different types of parasitic worms. Cockroaches are also hazardous to allergies as their waste, saliva and dead carcasses release allergenic. They are said to be strong enough to survive a nuclear Armageddon — so how do you prevent roaches from infesting your home? Try these steps:

• Remove yard waste and organic waste from around the house.
• Seal as many cracks and nooks as you can see.
• Implement preventive traps.
• Keep your entire house clean (this includes bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, attics, basements, etc.)
• Screen drains pipes and sewer vents with mesh.
• Store garbage containers away from entry points around your house.
• Don’t leave dirty dishes overnight.
• Trim tall shrubs.
• Keep your house ventilated.

For most people, spiders are incredibly scary animals. But when they decide to swarm and infest a house, they’re scary for everyone. Many species have a bite that causes irritation, redness, and swelling, while others are poisonous to humans. Obviously, proofing your house against them is a must. Now, spiders are not all evil — they help us control the number of insects in our homes. But with a few simple steps, you can make sure your house is not invaded by spiders. One thing you should understand: if you have a big number of mosquitoes, ants, flies and other insects, you might be on the verge of a spider invasion.

• Use durable materials and containers with lids to store your belongings.
• Eliminate old spices and dated flour- these attract pantry types of pests, which then attract spiders.
• Clean out unused areas often to prevent spider web build-up.
• Clean ponds and standing water often as they attract more spider food.
• Remove all clutter from crawl spaces.
• Set spider traps and monitor them regularly.

Ants are not considered the worst, but they are definitely unpleasant to deal with. The problem with ants is that they form underground colonies. The real source of the problem is the ant queen, and finding her may not be that easy. You can also aim to control the ant population as ants play a vital role in the ecosystem. Hosting an ant invasion can be catastrophic for any home, especially carpenter ants. If you are already hosting an infestation, you need to hire professionals. However, if you feel like taking on the job, you can look at these homemade techniques. Here are a few pest control tips to prevent ant infestation and keep their numbers under control.

• Inspect inside/around your house for clues. Ants always leave tiny dirt trails.
• Lay down ant traps to calculate the number of ants in your house.
• If you see an ant collecting food, wait to see where it goes to find the nest.
• Seal cracks in and around your house to close off any potential ant passages.
• Use detergent to clean your home’s main entry points; this eliminates chemical trails.
• Avoid repellent and pesticides as they will not solve the nesting problem.
• If you believe to be hosting carpenter ants, try to find them at night as they are nocturnal.

Moths can damage several types of fabric and can eat through entire wardrobes in a matter of months. Note that some species of moths are considered pantry types of pests and are after your food rather than your clothes. Moths live very secretive lives, and chances are you will not notice them until it’s too late. Like most types of pests, they love dark, confined spaces with a steady food source. They don’t do any structural damage to your house, but can still cost a small fortune in new clothes and damaged grains. Check out our pest control tips below on preventing moth infestations.

• Use all your clothes often. Moths don’t like sunlight, so frequently using your clothes will drive them away from your closet.
• Keep flour and grain locked in durable containers or use them and replace them often.
• Use a vacuum cleaner every week to remove moth eggs. Although you may not see them, chances are you are removing them along with other pest eggs.
• Store your fabrics by wrapping them in cotton and putting them in sealable containers.
• If you have a cedar closet, use it to store your clothes/grains as it kills moth larvae.
• Use lavender/lavender oil as a natural repellent in your drawers.

Termites are arguably the most dangerous pest. Subterranean termites eat/work 24 hours a day, so they are the most destructive pest you can host. Termites love dark, moist areas in or around your house’s foundation. If you own a suspended-floor home, termites can easily nest and live in the timber and cause structural damage. Follow the steps below to identify and prevent termite infestation.

• Eliminate standing water and remove moisture from your home. Termites thrive in humid environments.
• Repair leaking faucets and pipes.
• Replace broken tiles, shingles, and soffits.
• Divert your gutters and downspouts away from your house.
• Inspect your home’s foundation regularly. Try to find evidence of termites, including mud tubes, sawdust, and hollow wood.
• Monitor wood around your house regularly, including your furniture.
• Get a professional inspection once a year, minimum.
• Keep kindling and firewood a good 50-60 feet away from your house.

Flies and mosquitoes are the two most common winged pests you can come across. They thrive in places where sanitary conditions are poor. Mosquitoes love to mingle around standing water and reproduce at an alarming rate. Both of these can become a problem in a flash, so keeping dry, sanitary living spaces is vital. Flies and mosquitoes represent a health hazard and should be treated with the utmost seriousness.

• Remove all standing water from your house. Puddles, half-empty bottles, and other containers should be emptied or kept sealed.
• Remove tree stumps on your property. These usually serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• If you have a lake or pond, keep it clean and transparent. Mosquitoes love dirty water!
• Clean your gutters regularly.
• Fix leaky pipes in and around your house.
• Properly seal all areas of your house.
• Immediately clean food and drink spillage.
• If you have a fruit-bearing tree, remove rotting fruit as often as possible.

Bedbugs are a nightmare for homeowners, not to mention hotels and accommodation professionals. They are dreadful as they can survive in all weather, and can spread like wildfire if the conditions are right. Lice are similar to bedbugs because they are durable and can adapt to all conditions. Both lice and bedbugs are easily transported, not to mention they feed on human and animal blood. They both pose a threat to your family’s health, so they are not to be taken lightly. Here are a few pest control tips on preventing lice and bedbug infestations.

• If you are being bitten and not sure what they are, try to identify them as bedbug bites.
• Although they are not a seasonal pest, they may still follow a pattern depending on what season it is.
• Wash all clothes and fabric when you come back from travelling.
• When you host guests, remove and wash all their linen, covers, and pillowcases after they leave.
• Always check your luggage for signs of bedbugs and lice.

It’s not common for birds to infest your house. However, it does happen, so being prepared against it will help you prevent any feathery situations.

• Keep food sources, like seeds and grain, stored in hard, sealable containers.
• Patch up your roof to prevent any nesting opportunities.
• If you already have a bird problem, contact a professional wildlife service and ask them what your best option is.