Pest Prevention: How keeping a clean home can reduce summer pests
Summer is the season for warm sunny days, outdoor adventures, and uninvited guests like ants, flies, and mosquitoes. A clean home is your first line of defense against these pesky little intruders. Here’s how keeping your home tidy can help keep pests away.
Eliminate Food Sources
The kitchen is a prime target for pests, so it is of utmost importance to keep it clean and protected. Ants and flies are attracted to even the smallest crumbs or spills. Here are some actions you can take:
Clean up spills right away, especially the sugary or sticky ones, since they attract pests.
Store food in air-tight sealed containers.
Keep trash bins sealed and regularly emptying garbage cans can help prevent pest infestations.
Reduce Standing Water
Stagnant water provides an excellent breeding ground for mosquitoes. It's essential to remove water sources inside and around your home. Some of the ways you can do this by:
Check for containers, such as flower pots, buckets, and similar items, that can collect water and close any lids, or store these items upside down.
Fix any dripping faucets and pipes to prevent breeding grounds for pests.
Keep your drains clear of debris to prevent water accumulation.
Keep Floors and Surfaces Clean
Regular sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming crumbs and food particles make the floors free from anything that can attract pests. However, do remember to do the following:
Vacuum corners and underneath furniture; these hidden areas often collect food debris and sweep floors routinely.
Clean all surfaces daily, paying special attention to counters, dining tables, and food preparation areas.
Seal Entry Points
A spotless home is only truly effective when pests are entirely barred from entering.
Check doors and windows for any hidden gaps. Apply weather stripping or sealant to close any openings, if any.
If you haven't done so already, install window and door screens. These barriers provide extra protection against pets. If you already have screens, ensure they are intact and holes-free.
Inspect for and seal any cracks in any interior and exterior walls, floors, and foundations to prevent pests from entering.
Declutter for Prevention
Clutter creates perfect little hiding spots for pests, so aim to:
Organize basements, attics, and closets to remove nesting opportunities.
Trim bushes, mow the lawn, and remove wood or debris near your home.
Deter Pests
In addition to keeping a clean home, using clean, natural pest control will help keep those pesky insects away. Some recommended remedies to use around your home include the following:
Basil: plant basil in a garden or in a pot and place near windows and entryways to keep flies away.
Natural and Essential Oil Repellents: Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, and Lavender, and Rosemary are all scents that act as deterrents and keep pests away from your home.
Apple Cider Vinegar Traps: Apple cider vinegar attracts fruit flies, gnats, and other flying pests. All you need for this is an empty glass or jar, cling film, scissors, and apple cider vinegar.
Pour an inch of apple cider vinegar into your glass or jar
Stretch the cling film tightly over the opening
Use scissors to poke holes in the cling film, large enough for your flies and pests to enter, but not escape
Place the jar in a problem area. The scent will lure them in, trapping them inside your trap, and when you’re ready, you can release the flies outside away from your home.
A Clean Home is a Pest-Free Home
Maintaining a clean, well-organized home is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent summer pests from becoming a headache. You can enjoy a pest-free summer indoors by eliminating food sources, reducing standing water, sealing entry points, and staying on top of regular cleaning.
Green Janitorial Services to the Rescue
Need help keeping your home spotless and pest-resistant? We can simplify the task, ensuring every corner of your home stays tidy and uninviting to pests! We offer a deep-cleaning service followed by regular monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly cleaning support to ensure that your home is as clean as possible.
