Insects and rodents aren’t something you want hanging around any time, but especially not when you have guests. Even though everyone knows pests happen, there’s not much more embarrassing than a cockroach making an appearance while your in-laws are over for dinner.
If you want to keep mice, ants, and cockroaches away at inopportune moments (and all the time!), here are the steps to take.
Rodents
How do they get in?
Mice and rats enter homes through small gaps and holes around the exterior. They may also get in through improperly sealed plumbing.
How are they controlled?
- Maintain your home’s exterior with regular painting, weatherproofing, and repairs.
- Seal gaps, cracks, and other access points along your home’s exterior.
- Store non-refrigerated foods in rigid plastic, glass, or metal containers.
- Strategically place mouse traps around the home, checking traps daily and resetting as needed.
- Place cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil to deter mice in a pinch. A similar strategy involves planting peppermint around the home’s perimeter.
When should you call an exterminator?
If you sealed the house, trapped a few rodents, and no longer see signs of mice or rats, you’re probably in the clear. But if the mice keep on coming and you’re finding droppings in or discovering nests, it’s time to call an exterminator. If it’s your first time, look online to compare ratings for local exterminators.
Ants
How do they get in?
Like mice, ants enter your home through small cracks and holes. Most ants nest outdoors and only come in to forage for food and water, but others, like carpenter ants, make your home their permanent residence.
How are they controlled?
- Minimize moisture in and around the home. Check that downspouts and gutters are working properly, fix indoor leaks, and use a dehumidifier if your home is damp.
- Don’t leave food or crumbs out, including pet food, and clean spills promptly.
- Keep refrigerators, dishwashers, toasters, and other kitchen appliances clean.
- Seal gaps and cracks along exterior walls, doors, and windows.
- Trim tree branches that touch the house.
- Set ant bait along ant trails. Worker ants will bring insecticide bait back to the colony.
- When you need ants gone fast, follow the trail of ants to find the colony. Apply insecticide to the colony, then use soap and water to wash surfaces where you’ve seen ants to remove the pheromone trail.
When should you call an exterminator?
If you have carpenter ants, skip the DIY pest control and call an exterminator. Like termites, carpenter ants tunnel in wood and threaten the structural integrity of your home.
Cockroaches
How do they get in?
Cockroaches may enter your home through foundation cracks, plumbing, or other small openings. Cockroaches, too, are drawn to water and typically enter homes in search of a drink. Some types of cockroaches may hitch a ride in boxes or furniture.
How are they controlled?
- Clean up crumbs and spills and avoid leaving dishes in the sink.
- Reduce indoor clutter to eliminate hiding places, particularly cardboard boxes which are a favorite of cockroaches.
- Store firewood and compost away from the house.
- Repair leaky pipes promptly and control indoor humidity, especially in basements.
- Use roach glue strips to trap roaches and determine where the infestation is located, then set roach bait stations nearby.
- For a short-term fix, turn down the thermostat. Most roaches prefer warm temperatures of 70 degrees and above and are less active in cold temperatures.
When should you call an exterminator?
It’s tough to get rid of a cockroach infestation yourself. Cockroaches are furtive, and often homeowners don’t know the full extent of the infestation. If you’ve eliminated water sources and sealed gaps but your cockroach problem persists, contact a pest control company.
These tips are the key to dealing with the most common household pest problems. However, if you want to avoid pest issues in the first place, home maintenance is the answer. A well-maintained home keeps mice, ants, and roaches outside where they belong and saves you the trouble of a pest problem.
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