By DoMyOwn staff
While we tend to focus on pest treatments and prevention first, sanitation is often overlooked. In this video, we will go over the basics on how to sanitize your home as a basic pest prevention step.
When it comes to pest control, choosing the right professional product is key, but there is another aspect of pest control that is equally important and often overlooked. Every infestation requires 3 things to thrive: food, water, and suitable living conditions. Eliminate or drastically reduce these three elements and pests will no longer feel welcome in your home.
Step 1- Begin by eliminating as many food sources as possible. Keep the kitchen area clean, especially the area under, behind, and alongside appliances that are often neglected for long periods of time. Wipe down appliances (especially the stove), countertops, and cabinets with warm, soapy water or disinfectant daily to manage crumbs and spills. Clean out and wipe down cabinets, taking care to vacuum food crumbs from cracks and crevices. Keep food in tightly sealed containers including pet food that may be stored outside. Keep garbage stored in cans or receptacles with tight fitting lids. Take out the trash often and clean the can with ammonia on a regular basis to control odors and mildew.
Step 2- Reduce water and moisture sources. Do not leave standing water in sinks and tubs. Before going to bed each night, wipe the sink dry with a paper towel. Check your home regularly for water leaks. Leaky pipes cause moisture and mold problems and should be fixed promptly.
Step 3- Eliminate or reduce the conditions which pests thrive. In addition to food and water, most pests require some form of organic debris in which to live and breed- this includes mildew, mold, damp material or other rotting debris inside or outside the home. Keep the bathroom and kitchen areas clean and free of mold and mildew as much as possible through routine cleaning.
On the outside of your home, follow these sanitation tips. Keep trees and shrubs neatly trimmed back to reduce pest hiding spaces. Keep mulch, pine straw, or other landscape bedding at least 6 inches from structures to create a dry zone that pests will avoid. Don't overwater your lawn or garden. Aerate as needed to encourage draining. Clean out gutters and downspouts frequently. Get rid of grass clippings, leaf piles and stacked wood to get rid of areas where pests would live. Outdoor trash cans and dumpsters should be kept far away from structures and have tight fitting lids.
And it's that easy with the expert help from Do My Own Pest Control dot com.
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