Pest Control - Free Tips

Cockroaches

The key to control is to find and treat these sources directly. In southern states where this cockroach lives outdoors, successful control involves treating the attic, crawlspace, and exterior cracks in the home and finding and treating likely cockroach areas over the entire property.

Good basic prevention tips include:

• Ensure the attic and/or crawlspace has sufficient ventilation. Research has shown that proper ventilation creates an environment unsuitable for cockroaches and other pests.

• Make sure that all foundation and attic vents are equipped with tight-fitting screens.

• Seal as many exterior cracks and holes as possible on the outside of the home.

Rodents

Most home invasions occur in the fall, not because of cooler weather, but because the seeds and plants on which rodents feed outside are gone.
First, conduct a thorough inspection checking for all possible rodent entry points. Rodents are excellent climbers and are capable of gaining entry through holes around soffit vents and around cables entering the building, through holes in gable vent screens, and through turbine and box vents on roofs. Many garage doors on homes allow enough space for rats to fit underneath, as well.

Good basic prevention tips include:

• Keep firewood stored as far from the home as possible and store it off the ground. During the winter, store only enough wood next to the house to burn every couple of days.

• If possible, remove any piles of debris, stones, bricks, etc. If these are near the foundation of the home they serve as harborages to attract rodents. Once there, it is an easy step for rodents to enter the building itself.

• Do not allow piles of leaves to accumulate next to the home's foundation. This also serves as attractive harborage for rodents - mice in particular.

• Holes or cracks larger than one-fourth of an inch should be stuffed with steel wool or wire mesh and then sealed with caulk or foam, otherwise rodents could chew through to enter.

• Install a good thick weather-stripping on the bottom of all doors to prevent rodents from entering. The garage door may prove difficult to seal completely, so the door from the garage to the house must be sealed tightly.

Termites

Termites are a pest you definitely want to discourage. However, many homes seem to welcome termites. Take some steps to make your home less likely to be attacked.

Good basic prevention tips include:

• Get rid of wood around your home that's not serving a purpose. Remove old form boards, old tree stumps, and wood debris. If you must store firewood near your home, stack it off the ground and don't allow it to lean against the building.

• Correct moisture problems. Make sure gutters and downspouts are unclogged. Water should be channeled from downspouts away from your foundation. Repair leaking pipes and don't aim sprinklers against your house. Slope soil away from your home. Trim shrubbery blocking any vents.
• Never allow wood to contact soil.

• Have Pest Control inspect your home occasionally for wood destroying organisms, and situations which make your home more likely to be attacked.