Have you noticed that something is amiss in your pantry, like something is living there? Have you ever heard something run around the ceiling during the night? If the answer to these questions is yes, then it is likely that you have pests in your home. This article contains some helpful hints for taking care of pests.

Use steel wool to prevent rodents from entering your home through holes in the wall. Even though mice and rats can chew through a number of materials, these fine strands of metal are too tough for their teeth. Any opening larger than a half inch should be stuffed. Animals can get through very small openings.

Begin at the beginning. Seek to eliminate the things that attract pests. Pests may be drawn to your house because water, food and shelter can be found there. Eliminating any entrances to your home and securing any food sources is the first step to dealing with the problem.

If you think you have cleared up a bedbug infestation, think again. Bedbugs can hibernate an entire year. Use putty to close any opening in the walls or floors of your home. This will prevent them from hiding anywhere.

Keep up with leaks around your home. Pests love water. They are able to detect drips and leaks from a long way off. Don’t be the cause of your own infestation. A small amount of work can remove the possibility of rats or other rodents invading the house.

You need to check your whole house, even if many areas usually don’t show signs of pests. Termites may rear their ugly heads in the underground areas of your home. Make sure crawl spaces and basements are inspected thoroughly.

Plastic Containers

Try using plastic storage for storing dry foods. Many dry products come in boxes and bags, which is easy access for pests. Every time you go shopping, transfer your foods into plastic containers right away. Plastic containers are very good. They keep a tight seal and maintain the food’s freshness.

Exterior lights always attract the pests. These lights should be further from your home’s entrance. It’ll also help if you use orange or yellow lights to reduce the number of pests attracted to them.

Seal up all of your food in plastic bins if you want to reduce cockroaches in your home. Only Tupperware and locked bags are sufficient, as clips are not. Food that is vulnerable like that will maintain the health of the cockroach population. Other foods that should be kept in a good containers include sugar, flour and baking ingredients.

One thing you can try to get rid of insects is caulking any cracks that you find around the house. The foggers and sprays people use don’t reach in the hard to find places. Use caulking to seal any places where you might have pests getting in.

Make sure to read all instruction on pesticide packaging and follow them closely. You will get better results this way, but more importantly, you will be aware of any safety issues. For instance, if a daily application is called for, don’t skip applications. If you skip some treatments, it could drag on for weeks before you see results.

Do proactive pest control methods, such as keeping bushes and flower beds about 2-3 feet from your house. If possible, cover the ground around your home with some tiles to keep bugs and rodents away. You can leave your windows open without worrying about bugs.

If you have any damage on wood, you might have termites. If the wood rings are affected, then it’s not a termite issue. If they are neglected, you may have a termite infestation.

If you asked an exterminator to set traps, be sure to find out the locations of these traps. This is important, as you can’t let your dogs get near these traps. The poison that is in these mice bait stations is strong enough to make a dog very ill or even kill it.

Eliminate standing pools of water if you want to keep mosquitoes at bay. Mosquitoes lay eggs in water, and this water is the ideal environment for larvae. Check your yard for standing water in discarded pots and in puddles around the faucet.

If you are trying to get rid of houseflies, then it is best to use old-fashioned tricks. Fly strips and swatters are your best bet. They have an added benefit of not polluting your air. If you plan on using bombs or sprays, make sure that you follow the directions carefully for proper safety.

No one wants to think about possible microscopic bugs crawling in their bed and other particular living areas. Many people are allergic to dust mites, but it is a good idea to eliminate them even if you do not have an allergy to dust. Launder your bedding in extremely hot water every week, and use pillow covers made from non-permeable material.

Place pantyhose on your garden’s fruits or vegetables to be sure they are safe. This keeps bugs away, and it can also prevent birds and other critter from stealing your food. You can use pantyhose to deter pests from your food items.

By following this advice, you will be able to rid your home of pests and sleep well once again. Use the tips learned here to begin reclaiming your home. Though it could take awhile, you’ll be able to rest without having to worry about pests taking over.