Unfortunately, pests are a natural part of life. Whether the setting is residential, commercial, or industrial, all can fall victim to infestation. Rodents, termites, ants, wasps, cockroaches, spiders, and more are rampant throughout Australia’s urban and rural environments. However, this does not mean that there aren’t effective ways to keep the pests away.
Without further ado, let’s dive into 7 measures that you can take to keep your property clean and pest free.
1. Â Kitchen and Bathroom Maintenance
Pests love nothing more than a damp and dirty environment, particularly in older homes and properties. As kitchens and bathrooms are constantly exposed to fluids, food particles, and dirt, they naturally translate to become higher-risk areas for pest infestation.
To keep these crucial settings hygienic and pest free, we recommend a regular clean. This includes everything from wiping down countertops and tables to cleaning sinks, disposing of waste, and ensuring the toilet/ shower areas remain neat and tidy. While other factors may inevitably lead to pest arrival, this approach remains your best bet. Gaps, openings, or holes in the ceiling and walls of these rooms is another key area to look out for.Â
2. Garden Upkeep
Bugs are a natural by-product of owning a property with or directly next to outdoor garden areas. The more unkempt and overgrown the garden is, the more likely insects and vermin will fester and multiply. So, what actions can you take?
- Fill in holes and pits
- Prune plants and trees to avoid overgrowth
- Clean water features, ponds, and fountains
- Mow the lawn
Obviously, some gardens are more naturally prone to infestation due to circumstance, climate, and location. If maintenance is too difficult to handle on your own, a pest control service generally includes outdoor upkeep and preventative measures.Â
3. Garbage and Green Waste Disposal
Open garbage and waste are other common hunting grounds for insects. Bugs (particularly airborne insects) instinctively flock to rubbish bins, compost, and fruit bowls as an easy source of food and nourishment. The longer you leave it out uncovered, the more insects you’ll attract. It’s that simple.
Search online for effective DIY pests control services, and ensure that you dispose of rubbish and green waste on a regular basis. Overripe fruit is also known to invite insect activity, so make sure that you either eat it or dispose of it through the correct eco-friendly channels.
4. Clean Your Gutters
Unfortunately, our gutters are prone to getting clogged up. Typically, this is the result of a build-up of dirt, debris, and leaves that combine to create a significant blockage. The ensuing moisture that develops then begins to attract insects. Importantly, damp gutters are known to be a haven for subterranean termites.
Whether you contract a plumber or get the ladder out and unclog the gutters yourself, this measure can be crucial to pest prevention – particularly during the Autumn months.
5. Keep an Eye Out for Moisture
For some pests and household bugs, nothing is more attractive than a cool and damp environment. Moisture normally occurs in properties with leaks and damaged roofs. As noted above, it can also appear in your guttering. If moisture is present at your property, you are effectively opening the door for cockroaches, earwigs, mosquitos, termites, and many more insects.
Moisture is a critical aspect to assess both prior to and following any pest control surface. This can be a proactive measure on your end or reviewed as a part of a regular inspection from the pest control company.
6. Utilise Nets and Flywire
Wherever there are gaps and openings, insects roam. Whether they wriggle, scuttle, or fly, you can bet that pests will take the opportunity to enter the home through open windows and doors. The combination of our home’s aromas, sounds, and illumination is simply too alluring to resist.
If you live in a warmer climate, flywire and nets also offer excellent cross ventilation. However, you must remember to look out for holes and damage as this will undermine the basic premise of their operation.
7. Reach Out to The Pros
Many of us only associate pest control with emergency assistance for out-of-control infestation. Prevention is a key element of their arsenal. Pest control is as much about preventative measures as it is about extermination. Your best-case scenario, therefore, is to explore one of the following two options.Â
The first involves acting early and arranging a pest control service as soon as the first warning signs appear. Alternatively, you can organize a regular inspection from a professional team and stop insects from ever surfacing. This prevention-centered approach is best adopted for properties with multiple problem areas and pest concerns.