The five areas of your home you need to pest-proof now
WE all want to feel relaxed in our homes, but every now and then little critters will gain access and cause all kinds of problems.
Some areas are more vulnerable than others due to factors such as; space, darkness, temperature and food remains.
Doing nothing can lead to pest damage throughout your home, as well as an unsanitary environment due to droppings.
So identify the areas most at risk and take extra care to avoid contamination.
To give you a helping hand, Joshua Houston at Household quotes has revealed the five areas of your home most vulnerable to pests.
Garden
Gardens can harbor many pests. Rats and mice like to build their nests in dense areas, so make sure your garden is well cared for.
Wasps can also build nests in trees, on the outside of your house or near your fence.
Many people also store their containers in their garden, if not secured properly or if overcrowded it can attract pests. Make sure the lid is completely closed and there is little to no chance of the container tipping over.
Kitchen
Kitchens are popular with pests because it is the room in your home where you cook and prepare food. It is not uncommon for pieces to fall to the ground, attracting pests looking for an easy meal.
Make sure that any food spilled on the counter or floor is cleaned up quickly, as this will not harm pests.
Garage/shed
Garages and sheds are vulnerable to pests for several reasons. One is that there are generally more ways in which they can be infiltrated.
For example, pests can squeeze under the garage door or enter through a hole in the wooden wall of a shed.
They are also often dark and are used less than other rooms in your building.
That is precisely why insects love these areas. You may also find many ants crawling in under the doors and making their nests in a crack.
Attic
Like a garage or shed, an attic provides a dark space that is rarely disturbed by its occupant.
The coop also has many hiding places for potential pests, this is due to the fact that it is full of insulation, boxes and cracks.
If your roof is not secured, you may also encounter pests that enter through small holes.
Considering that most people don’t enter their coop every day, pests can build large nests and cause a lot of damage without the homeowner’s knowledge.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are popular with pests because they provide a moist, warm, and humid environment that is inviting to cockroaches and silverfish.
Leftover water in the bath or shower can be an ideal breeding ground for these creatures.
Living with silverfish
Abigail Wilson, a Senior Digital Writer at Fabulous, has revealed what it was really like living with silverfish when he was at university…
She said: “Moving to halls can be an exciting experience, full of new friendships and academic challenges.
‘However, it also brings with it a fair number of inconveniences.
“But while I thought that what I would make for dinner, or what I would miss at home, would be my biggest problems, it turned out that one of the most disturbing problems was the presence of silverfish.
“I remember the first time I ever saw one… I woke up and saw it running across my bedroom floor.
“It drove me crazy and from then on they seemed to pop up everywhere in my small room.
“For many students, silverfish are just a nuisance. These small, wingless insects are harmless to humans and pose no health risks.
“They tend to run away when the lights are on, making them an annoyance rather than a threat.
However, their presence can be unsettling. Just the thought of sharing your living space with these creepy crawlies can make even the most resilient student uneasy.
“The presence of silverfish often indicates larger problems with the cleanliness and maintenance of university accommodation – small, damp rooms are breeding grounds for these insects, and their presence can indicate problems such as leaks or inadequate cleaning.
“They may seem like a minor issue in the grand scheme of things, but I’ll certainly never forget it, and I’m grateful I haven’t seen one since (fingers crossed).”
In addition, since we do not spend much time in the bathroom, these pests can easily multiply.
Joshua Houston, real estate expert at Household Quotes:
”No one wants pests in their home, so it is important that you consider the vulnerable parts of your property.
“The last thing you want is to see a cockroach running up the wall while you’re showering.
“It’s also not difficult to keep some of these pests out of your home; in certain cases, it’s as simple as picking them up yourself.”