The best way to stop a pest infestation is to prevent one. With just a little bit of knowledge and some vigilance, you can save yourself a whole lot of time, money and needless angst. Indeed, knowing when and where to look for signs of bugs and other unwanted critters around your home will enable you to recognize and control a potential problem before it has time to take root, destroying your property and — oftentimes — your sanity! Check out some of the likely (and surprising) places people find pests in their homes:
1. Refrigerators
While most rodents prefer warmer environments, many bugs, especially ants, gnats, flies and cockroaches, find the cool temperature of your fridge a perfectly acceptable place to take up residence; it’s safe and fully stocked with food, after all! In fact, it’s not that uncommon for small bugs to hitch a ride into your fridge along with the fresh fruits and vegetables you purchase at the store. Some can even find their way inside via the appliance’s condensation drain. The best way to prevent this from happening is by rinsing off your produce and placing it in appropriate storage bags and containers before storing it in the fridge. It’s also recommended that you inspect the drainage lines of your appliances to make sure no clogs or leaks have attracted unwanted pests.
2. Electrical Outlets
Whether attracted by electrical currents or the heat radiating from electrical wires, some bugs like to reside in electrical outlets. The small, dark space behind the outlet plate is the perfect spot for ants, beetles, termites and even bed bugs to hide and should be periodically inspected for evidence of their presence; if found, it probably means more are scattered throughout your home. In addition to leaving behind fecal debris, these pests can eat through your wiring, potentially costing you thousands of dollars to repair!
3. Chimneys
Larger animals, such as birds, bats, raccoons and squirrels, can also pose a threat to you and your home, moving into your chimney or attic in an attempt to escape predators and find warmth, particularly when the weather begins to cool. Not only can these animals cause structural damage to your house, their nests can be a fire hazard, causing smoke and embers to enter the home inside of being directed out the flu.
Fend off unwanted visitors by closing your flu between any fireplace uses and installing a door (instead of a screen or mesh curtain) to the front of the fireplace itself. This will ensure that no critters can enter your home and also keeps any of their accompanying “baggage” — fleas, mites, ticks and waste (which often carry parasites) — from entering, as well. It’s recommended that you burn old wood, which might harbor even additional bugs, before newer logs, and you should schedule a professional chimney repair at the first sign of any issues.
Of course, these are just a few of the places you might find an unwelcome guest inside your home. Dark spaces like basements, closets and pantries, as well as baseboards, trash cans and even your oven and bed can hide all manner of creatures, making it paramount that you routinely check all corners of your home for any sign of their presence and/or destruction. Keep your ears open for any weird sounds in your walls, floors and ceilings, as well. Keen awareness of even slight changes in your home will help you keep it free of pests all year long!
Article Submitted By Community Writer