If you were to rank people’s fears, creepy crawlies would place pretty high on any given list as I’m sure you’d agree. And worrying about bugs around your house is not an uncommon concern. Your home is, or should be, your safe place free of any pest problems.
Wouldn’t it be nice if life actually worked out that way? Unfortunately, it doesn’t always, and we need to tackle some problems head-on without shying away from them. Easier said than done, right? If you’ve got a pest problem, here are some solutions!
Infestations are common in households all around the world. It doesn’t mean you’re living in squalor or have bad hygiene habits. Sometimes it’s just dumb luck, and there’s no avoiding it. That being said, there are some good habits to get into if you want to prevent bugs making themselves at home around you.
It should go without saying that keeping your home clean and tidy is the best way to eliminate any potential pest problems. That means clearing up food after you’re done with it, remove rubbish regularly, and clean spillages as they happen.
If you don’t already, those three are a good starting point, but there is another important way. That’s keeping your house free from damp and mold. It is absolutely crucial to warding off pests, so fix your leaky pipes and keep your surfaces clean and dry.
Now we’ve got the hang of that, let’s look at some of the specific bugs that are commonly found around your home causing pest problems and how to wipe them out once and for all.
Ants
Ants are one of the most common pest problems.You may think of them as cute little CGI characters rather than pests, but try telling that to the thousands of households with an infestation! Ants love the warmth and damp, so they’re instinctively going to take up residence in any place that offers them those two things.
To get rid of these little critters, block off any points of entry into your home to prevent further migrants. To repel those that are already putting their feet up, use cinnamon, garlic and paprika to dispel them. They’ll think twice before crossing your threshold again.
Bed Bugs
Another common pest problem are bed bugs. Perhaps every person’s greatest fear when going to sleep are bed bugs. You might not even know you have them, let alone how to get rid of bed bugs. Even more terrifying is that these little parasites can live for up to a year after a meal.
And what is their meal of choice? Your blood. While they don’t pose any serious risks to our health, they are irritating in more ways than one. You’ll have to steam clean all of your bedding to get rid of them, and you may need to replace your mattress.
Fleas
We love our pets as much as anybody else in our family, but that doesn’t mean they don’t bring us our fair share of headaches! Amongst other things, fleas are a massive pest problem for dogs and cats all around the world. And, what’s more, they can easily be passed on to humans.
Unlike bed bugs, fleas can transmit diseases, so it’s important to wipe them out at the earliest opportunity. Experts working at EnviroGuard can tell you just how much damage these small insects can cause to your home and pets.
As with most other things, prevention is better than cure, but vacuuming and cleaning will get rid of most. Aromatic herbs can also be very unattractive to fleas, so consider them your greatest weapon.