Pest infestations can cause damage to your home and increase indoor allergen levels. Keeping these pesky invaders out is easier than you think, or you can appoint a professional exterminator!
One of the biggest draws for opportunistic pests is food. From crumbs on the floor to overripe fruit in a bowl, easy access to a food source attracts them.
1. Food
Food attracts all kinds of pests, from cockroaches and mice to flies and wasps. Even crumbs on the counter or floor are like a siren song to these unwelcome guests, and they will soon multiply into a full-scale infestation. The worst offenders are foods that contain a lot of sugar, such as cakes and cookies, which attract rats and cockroaches. Sugary drinks such as soda and fruit juice are also huge draws, especially when left on the counter or in the fruit bowl. These beverages have a high sugar content that attracts pests such as flies, wasps and ants, and the sweet residue can entice them to nest and lay eggs inside your home.
Leftovers from dinner or a snack are also a big magnet for pests, especially when they’re exposed to air for too long. Cockroaches, flies and mice are all attracted to open food packaging that gives them an easy access point into your pantry or cupboards. You can prevent these pests from infesting your kitchen and eating areas by storing leftovers, flour, baking mixes and other foods that you don’t consume regularly in airtight containers, such as plastic bags, Mason jars or Tupperware.
Clutter also attracts pests, as they love to hide in dark and undisturbed places. A messy bedroom closet or stack of books on the shelf can provide an ideal hiding place for a variety of pests, including roaches, spiders, mites and beetles. The same can be said for a pile of firewood, which can attract wildlife such as rodents and raccoons, and also provides shelter, bedding and food for pests.
Dirty dishes and indoor trash also attract a number of pests, including gnats, flies, cockroaches, silverfish and earwigs. These pests are attracted to the moisture in overflowing trash, as well as the easy access to the indoor environment provided by a dirty dish or overturned food container. Make sure to clean dirty dishes, and the surfaces of your kitchen and dining area, daily, to keep a lid on pest infestations. Also, consider purchasing an outdoor trash can with a locking lid to prevent wildlife dumpster diving into your garbage and contaminating your food.
2. Water
Pests and wildlife are drawn to your home in search of food, water, shelter, or nesting sites. The more you can limit these resources outside of your home, the less likely they are to visit.
Moisture is a major pull factor for many insects, such as mosquitoes, cockroaches, and termites. These pests thrive near stagnant water and use it for breeding or to quench their thirst. Stagnant pools around windowsills and doors, a leaky faucet, a wet towel, or a pet’s water bowl left out overnight are all potential bug magnets.
Piles of unused papers can also attract unwelcome pests because they are often made from cellulose, which is a great material for rodents and insects to chew or nest. You can prevent this by storing your papers in airtight, secure containers and removing piles of unused papers from your home regularly.
If you’re a naturalist, you might like to use your backyard as a place for birdbaths, ponds, and wildflower gardens. However, these features can also attract bugs and vermin if they are too close to your house. Mosquitoes, flies, spiders, ants, and carpenter ants all breed and hunt in these habitats. Insects can also build nests in vegetation and tall grasses, and rodents like mice and rats are known to live in yards with sheds or fences that contain a lot of wood.
Gaps, cracks, and holes in the walls are common entry points for pests, which can easily crawl or fly into your home. Some pests such as mice can even gnaw their way through thin wooden boards. You can prevent pests from entering your home by sealing cracks and gaps.
Stacks of firewood in the yard are another common source of unwelcome visitors, as they provide food and shelter for a multitude of pest species including rodents, spiders, ants, termites, weevils, and other destructive insects. You can prevent this by keeping firewood away from your home, storing it off the ground in a covered area, and using firewood that is purchased rather than gathered from nearby trees. You should also use firewood that is already split and seasoned, as it will be much easier to control pests in this manner.
3. Shelter
Pests thrive in crowded areas and can quickly multiply in homes that provide food, water and shelter. The influx of pests can lead to property damage and even health problems. But why are pests attracted to your home? Pests are scavengers and wherever there is food, they will go.
Whether it’s a bag of chips from a snack party, an open can of soda, or a plate of leftover pizza, food is a big attractant for pests. And not just human food, rodents are drawn to pet food as well as bird feed and rat and rabbit food.
Even garbage can be an attractant for pests. Piles of trash, particularly those left outside, can house a wide range of pests that are looking for food and shelter. This is especially true in garages, attics and basements that are used as storage spaces and often see less frequent cleaning. It’s best to clean out these areas regularly and make sure to empty out garbage as soon as it’s full, tie up and secure the trash bags, and take them to the dumpster.
Rodents and roaches are notorious for taking shelter in the dark, moist and warm piles of debris that build up around a home. These include rotting wood, out-of-service grills, stacks of firewood, stacked cardboard boxes and more. These piles can also attract termites and other wood-eating pests if they are near rodent droppings, as well as ants that are attracted to the woody material.
While it’s possible that these debris piles are not under your control, you probably can prevent them from attracting pests by keeping your home clean and making sure to properly store or dispose of food items. Also, check your foundation for cracks, crevices and worn-out weather stripping and replace them. Pests only need a small gap to crawl inside and start causing damage and nuisance.
The factors that attract pests inside and outside your home are many, but they all come down to five core items:
4. Easy Access
Pests gain entry into homes through gaps, cracks, and holes. These include spaces under doors, where wires and pipes run through, as well as a variety of other places where even the smallest hole or gap can allow in unwanted guests. Cracks around windows and doors and worn weather stripping are other common points of entry.
These holes and gaps may be caused by aging, shifting foundations or poor workmanship during installation, but they can also be unintentional. Gaps around windows, for example, can be opened up by air pressure as the house expands or contracts over time, allowing for small pests to enter.
As the weather turns colder, it becomes more difficult for pests to find food and water outside, making them increasingly attracted to our cozy homes. Rodents and spiders, for example, are apt to search out warm spots indoors that offer food and shelter, such as the spaces behind doors and under sinks.
Clutter is another big draw for pests. It provides a place to hide and an opportunity for them to make messes. Clean up the clutter in and around your home. This includes regularly taking out the trash, throwing away old magazines and books, donating or selling items you no longer need, and keeping your counters clear of food waste and crumbs.
Moisture and standing water are major draws for pests, too, as is a cool, dark place to hide. Keep the basement of your home dry by ensuring that any leaks are promptly repaired, and consider investing in a dehumidifier if necessary.
A few inches of water can be enough to attract pests, including flies, roaches, and rodents. Ensure that drains, gutters, and downspouts are clear of debris and blockages to keep water flowing freely. And in the summer, turn on ceiling fans to disturb the still air and help reduce flies and other pests.
The less your yard and home have to offer, the fewer things that will attract pests to them in the first place. Keep shrubs and trees trimmed to avoid creating bridges for pests to crawl over or under, and remove weeds and piles of grass clippings from around your home. Finally, be sure to plant pest-repellent plants in your landscaping.