There are many types of pests in indigenous communities, some being able to create health problems for humans. Most common household pests enjoy warm temperatures and certain simple things around the home can cause an infestation. For example, ants love leftover bits of food like breadcrumbs while beetles, moths and worms invade dried food packages. Termites feed on wood pulp and can cause significant damage to the structure of a home. Pests hide out in dark cluttered areas and once inside a home can spread very quickly.

How to Control Pests and Avoid Infestations

There are many different ways of dealing with pest problems and according to the Department of Health, the use of pesticides should always be a last resort. Most of the actions that can be taken around homes and communities are based on clean and healthy living. All pests are basically looking for an environment in which they can be warm, safe, and well fed and therefore hygiene is a good method of pest control.

Hygiene as a Form of Pest Control

Common household pests can be controlled by practicing hygienic habits like cleaning up every scrap of food after meals, keeping kitchen surfaces clean and dry, wrapping food scraps up tightly before placing it into the bin, and checking that all packaging in food storage is tightly sealed. Regularly move and clean areas behind refrigerators, stoves, and small countertop appliances like toasters. Keep the yard clean and avoid accumulating piles of debris. Use fly screens to prevent flying insects like flies and mosquitoes from entering your home and seal all holes around the perimeter of the building.

Many pests try to find warmer places to shelter and locate food in winter and your home can become the perfect place for insects and rodents to shelter during bad weather.

Prevention is Better than Cure

When it comes to controlling pests in the home many of the tactics are the same regardless of what kind of pests you are dealing with. Being very small, most pests have an easy way of gaining entry to a home. General methods of prevention are simple and will ensure that most pests will find it hard to get into your home.

1. The first step is to block any potential entrances which means sealing off all holes and cracks around windows and doors and outside at ground level, especially around pipes.

2. The next step is to make your home as unappealing as possible to pests by storing food in airtight containers, ensuring that all surfaces are kept free of any food particles after meals and that there are no odours to attract them. Pests like ants usually send out scouts to look for easy access to food so if you find a lone ant you should kill it immediately as it is probably looking for a place where the whole colony can move into. When it comes to rats and mice, outside areas like compost heaps, trash, and bird feeders will attract rodents.

3. Hitchhikers like bed bugs and fleas can enter your home through clothes and luggage from places like hotels where you have spent time or public places where bags are left resting on the floor. Check all clothing, bags, and other belongings before leaving holiday accommodation and again on returning home. Vacuum all bags and if possible wash all clothing, whether you have worn it or not, after returning home. Here at Surekill Pest Control is offering an effective and discreet pest control service

Ants

Track down the source of the colony by finding where they are gaining access and seal up the gaps and crevices. You can also use insecticides and bait to eliminate them.

Flies

Fruit flies are a nuisance particularly where there are sweet drinks and fruit displays. Cover fruit or store it in a cupboard. The common housefly can cause health problems by spreading bacteria, germs, and pathogens such as salmonella that could cause food poisoning. Fly screens can help deter them and electric fly killers can be effective. A unique method of controlling flies before they enter the home is to use a fly control unit like the Fly Box around external refuse areas.

Rats and Mice

Traps and baits can be used to control rodents, however, the best way is to seal off any gaps and sanitise any surfaces where there has been rodent activity. A clean and dry environment will not attract rodents.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches come out at night to feed on scraps of leftover food so keeping a sanitary kitchen is a sure way of getting rid of them.

The above preventive measure will help a great deal towards getting rid of common household pests, however, if there are signs of infestation you should contact a pest control specialist to assess the situation and get rid of the problem. They will also help you put measures into place to prevent a re-infestation.

The above preventive measure will help a great deal towards getting rid of common household pests, however, if there are signs of infestation you should contact a pest control specialist to assess the situation and get rid of the problem and help you put measures into place to prevent a re-infestation.

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