When it comes to eradicating pests there are three major steps for a successful pest control program. The first is prevention, the second exclusion, and the third is control. If there is a pest infestation in your home, first prevent, then you will need to work on management. However, when it comes to pest control the first two steps are primarily on the homeowner, while the last and most important steps are left to the pest control specialist. A-Tex Pest Management will share how you prevent and keep pests out of your home.
Step 1. Pest Prevention
Preventing pests starts on the outside of your home. Ideally, you will want to make your yard and as well as the outside of your home, unappealing to pests. Maintain a clean and manicured yard. Trim away any overgrowth from plants as the overgrowth provides plenty of shelter for pests, or the pests that hunt other insects that live on those plants. When you’re constantly mowing, trimming, and maintaining your yard, pests will look for a calmer place to dwell. Next, you want to deprive pests of food, water, and shelter. Avoid leaving food, even pet food, outside, and make sure your trash cans are sealed and kept tidy. Repair any leaking water spouts or sprinklers outside to prevent water from pooling, which will invite pests to stay around. Additionally, avoid any clutter from building up around your home. Clutter provides shelter and hunting areas for many types of pests. Lastly, for those who keep firewood, make sure the fire wood is stacked as far away from the home as possible and is at least a foot off the ground.
Step 2. Pest Exclusion
The next step to controlling pests is exclusion, which simply means keeping pests out of your home. There are a number of weak points in the home that pests use to get inside. After you work hard to prevent pests from invading, now you will need to work to keep them out by securing these weak areas. Start with your attic. The attic requires a large vent to circulate air. This vent is able to let in mice, rats, and just about any other bug. Another similar problem is dryer vents that are on the exterior of a home. These vents should be covered with a metal mesh wiring that can keep out small and larger pests. Another place to use the mesh wiring is over the top of chimneys. Doors and windows with poor weather stripping and screens is another major problem. The window framing can also develop gaps around the edges that allow small pests inside your home. Replace or repair window screens and weather stripping around doors. Look around the outside of the home, including the roof, for any gaps or cracks and use caulking glue to seal them. Not only will you keep pests out, but you’ll improve your home insulation as well.
Pest Inspections, Treatment Control & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park Texas
The last steps, which are to control and manage a current pest problem, is best left to the professionals. A professional pest control technician will use pesticides, baits, and traps to control and manage pests. If you need help with the final steps of your pest control program, contact A-Tex Pest Management
for all of your pest control needs.
