Your house is an investment–a very large investment–and you want to do everything you can to keep it in good shape. If somethings is broken, you fix it. If something starts to lose its functionality, you update it. But have you ever considered preventing hidden damage before it ever even happens?
There are a number of different types of pests that can invade your home unseen and cause thousands of dollars worth of damage before you even know that they’re there. Termites alone cause over five billion dollars in damages a year in the U.S. So how do you prevent this from happening? Here are some tips to help save your home and your precious investment:
Seal up Any Gaps
Windows and doors are notorious for letting air into the house, but they can also allow bugs access. Once-yearly, check all of your window and door frames to make sure they are sealed properly. If you notice any gaps, seal them up with caulking or weather stripping, and use a draft guard under your doors year-round instead of just in the winter time.
Control Excess Moisture
Moisture provides a very hospitable environment for several species of insects and small rodents, so keeping it in check is a must. Keep your eye on the drip plates under your refrigerator and AC units, and make sure that fans installed in your bathrooms are running properly. Using a dehumidifier in your home is a great way to help control moisture that you might not see on the surface, especially in basement environments. A wet basement or crawl space will attract all different types of bugs, so keep an eye out for cracks in the walls of your basement or the foundation of your home and repair them immediately.
Store Firewood Away From The House
If you keep or use firewood, stacking it against the house is a big no-no. Piles of wood provide an excellent source of shelter and food for pests, so the farther away it is the better. Firewood can be a safe haven for pests year round, but if it’s close to the home, it might encourage critters to move inside during the cold winter months. The same goes for piles or stacks of leaves and grass or tree clippings.
Get Rid Of Stagnant Water
Areas of stagnant water are a great place for insects like mosquitos to lay their eggs. Whether it’s stagnant water hidden in areas of your home from leaky pipes and faucets, or areas of standing water around your yard or in your crawl space, it’s best to get rid of them. Stagnant water can also result in mold, which can harm your family’s health and your home’s structure.
Deep Clean Your Kitchen Regularly
Food stored in your kitchen can attract all different types of pests, from ants to cockroaches to rats. It’s important to clean and scrub out your entire kitchen once a year, especially inside the cupboards, pantry, and refrigerator. A bit of spilled flour here and a spot of loose sugar there can feed certain types of pests for weeks, and once they come they’ll figure out how to get the rest of your stash. Take all of the food out of its stored areas and wipe them down, then make sure everything is well sealed and contained before you pour it back. Even loose kibbles of pet food can draw pests, so sweep or wipe everything up as soon as you notice it.
Conclusion
Protect your home by protecting it from pests and the harm they cause. If you are proactive, you can prevent them from coming in the first place, which will save you time and money down the road.