Keeping pests away from your home begins with removing the things they attract. Keep wood piles far from the house and shrubs trimmed back. Rake moisture-wicking mulch and replace it frequently.
Make sure outdoor garbage and compost cans aren’t too close to the house, and use a door sweep. Barrier sprays and exclusion methods create boundaries that pests can’t or won’t cross. Talk to Pest Control Springfield MO experts to handle this problem.
Castor Oil
One of the best ways to keep garden pests away from your veggies, flowers, and lawns is by using natural repellents. Products containing castor oil, which is extracted from the seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus communis), have a long history of use as an effective insecticide and are a common ingredient in natural bug sprays.
Unlike the poisonous chemicals in traditional commercial insecticides, which can build up in the soil and affect wildlife, castor oil is non-toxic. It also breaks down quickly and doesn’t leave harmful residues in the environment. This makes it a safer alternative to other garden treatments that can pose health risks for pets and children.
When it comes to deterring animal pests, castor oil works well on its own or in combination with other natural repellents. For example, it’s an excellent addition to homemade mosquito repellent, helping to increase the effectiveness of essential oils such as lavender and citronella. Castor oil can also be used to repel voles and other tunneling garden pests by directly applying it to affected areas of the yard.
To apply castor oil for vole control, identify problem areas of the garden or yard where there are signs of tunneling and damage, such as mounds or holes in the ground. Then, pour or spray a solution of 2 tablespoons (30 ml.) of castor oil and 1 tablespoon (15 ml.) of dish soap per gallon (4 L.) of water, and mix the two ingredients thoroughly until they’re foamy. Use a hose-end attachment to spray the mixture evenly across the affected area of your yard, paying special attention to entry points, tunnels, and mounds. Repeat this process weekly to repel voles effectively.
Removing Clutter
Whether it’s piles of books, toys, and clothing in the bedroom or stacked logs under the shed, clutter can provide a refuge for rodents, insects, birds, and other unwelcome guests. Clutter can also be a fire hazard and create a tripping hazard for family members or guests. Moreover, a lack of tidiness provides a breeding ground for pests and can even lead to structural damage. Termites, for example, love moist wood and are most often found in cluttered areas where they can chew through the structure, leaving behind mud tubes and a musty odor.
Pests are most often attracted to food sources, shelter, and water. A simple way to prevent pest infestations is to clean up crumbs and spills immediately and store food in airtight containers. In addition, indoor plants should be placed in pots or containers instead of hanging from the ceiling and outdoor trash receptacles should have self-closing lids. In addition, leaking pipes should be repaired as soon as possible to stop moisture from entering homes and attracting insects and roaches.
A pest control professional’s training enables them to spot the signs of a pest infestation that an untrained eye may miss. In addition to eliminating existing infestations, professionals can guide on creating an environment that is hostile to pests, including sealing entry points and removing attractants. They can also help homeowners develop an effective maintenance schedule that minimizes future pest invasions. This preventative approach to pest management is less invasive than chemical treatments and can save money and stress down the road.
Keeping Your Home Clean
As anyone whose mom made them clean their room growing up can attest, keeping your home clean is important for many reasons. Not only does a tidy home look better, but it is also healthier for the family. The allergens and germs that are found in dirty rooms, like a cluttered kitchen or a damp bathroom, can cause hay fever, asthma, and other respiratory problems. Regular cleaning protocols like washing dishes and counters as soon as they are contaminated, vacuuming high-traffic areas weekly, and wiping surfaces daily help prevent these health issues from developing.
A messy home is also a breeding ground for pests. From cockroaches and rodents to ants and other insects, these unwelcome guests are attracted to dark, damp spaces where they can hide and find food. A clean home, on the other hand, is much less appealing to unwanted houseguests. Sweeping and mopping remove dirt, food debris, and dead skin cells from the floor, which are all delicious snacks for cockroaches, rodents, and other pests. Trash cans should be regularly emptied, and rotten food and scraps should be disposed of immediately. In addition, a clean home reduces the risk of accidents, such as trips and falls over electrical cords and toys left on the floor, by removing clutter and hiding these hazards.
Finally, a clean home is less inviting to pests because it limits their access to food and water. Most pests need two things to survive, and if they are unable to get either of these they are more likely to leave. Make sure that food is stored in sealed containers, and that trash cans are tightly closed. Also, fix leaky plumbing, and don’t allow water to collect in places like trays under houseplants or refrigerators.
Sealing Off Entry Points
There are many ways that pests enter a home and it is important to close off these entry points to avoid infestations. Cracks in walls, rips in screens, and unsealed gaps around windows and doors allow pests to slip into your home without you realizing it. If these entry points are not sealed off, it is only a matter of time before ants, mice, and other pests begin invading your living space.
Keeping your home neat and eliminating food sources from around the house is also key to preventing pests. Keep trash bins tightly closed, store unused items in a garage or shed, and remove stacks of paper or cardboard. Keep your yard trimmed and free from overgrown weeds and dead leaves. A cluttered yard is a great place for pests to breed and hide while hunting down their next meal.
If you have a fence surrounding your property, it is important to ensure that there are no gaps in the fencing that would allow large animals and other pests into your yard. Also, be sure to regularly inspect and repair any holes in your property walls.
Hitchhiking pests such as ants, roaches, and crickets are also a common way that pests find their way into a home. Often, these pests enter homes via the packaging of products from online purchases or from suitcases from a recent vacation. It is important to inspect boxes and luggage that arrive at your home for pests and ensure that they are properly sealed before bringing them inside. Keeping these pests from entering the home can reduce the number of pest control chemicals you need to use around your home.
Keeping Your Garden Clean
Keeping your garden clean is one of the most important things you can do to prevent pest infestations. Pests are drawn to homes in search of 3 things: food, water, and shelter. Eliminating these attractants in your yard will greatly reduce the number of pests making their way into your home.
This is especially true for insects and rodents, which can breed rapidly in dark, damp areas. Regularly emptying outdoor garbage cans, compost piles, and trash cans prevent these sources from breeding near your house. Also, ensure that rainwater is not pooling near your foundation or in gutter downspouts, which can provide a welcoming place for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.
In addition, regularly mowing your lawn, trimming hedges, and removing leaf litter can reduce the number of places where pests hide in your yard. Finally, storing wood debris off the ground and removing rotting logs can make it less likely that termites or other pests will take up residence in your yard.
Keeping your garden clean is the best preventative measure against pests. However, there are other steps you can take, as well. If you have a problem with mice or rats, using traps and bait stations can be an effective pest control method. You can also try sealing cracks and crevices around your home to prevent them from entering. In addition, you can use a dehumidifier to decrease moisture in your basement and crawlspace, which can attract pests. Finally, washing your clothes and bedding frequently (at least 3 times per month) will help eliminate the parasites that pests love to breed in, such as dust mites and bed bugs.