Spring Cleaning Tips to Prevent and Manage Household Pests
Most individuals in Australia and other parts of the world tend to put off household cleaning during the cold months of the year. However, spring presents the perfect moment to do some house cleaning, landscaping, and other chores as people prepare for the summer. As you make your cleaning schedule for the spring, it is critical to pay attention to household pests and how you can get rid of them. Whether they are rodents, ants, spiders, or moths, pests can create unhygienic conditions in your home. Here are some spring cleaning tips that will help you to prevent and manage these annoying creatures.
Take care of leaks
Plumbing leaks do more than accelerating your water bill – they also attract pests in your house. When there is a leak, water will pool around the broken pipe. The excess moisture can act as breeding grounds for insects like mosquitoes, spiders, and ants. As you clean the home, inspect your pipes, especially in the dark, cold areas such as the attic and crawl spaces. Also, ensure that there is no excess moisture on the surfaces. Wipe down the cabinets, sinks, and dry the areas around broken plumbing pipes. This should efficiently deter pests from reproducing in your home.
Store food correctly
Food is one of the things that attract pests such as roaches, ants, and rodents into your home. If you don't store food correctly, it can draw these annoying creatures indoors. When pests come into contact with your food, they will eat and also contaminate it. The last thing you want is to get sick from eating food that has been contaminated by roaches and rodents. To avoid this, consider adopting proper food storage methods. Invest in sealable containers and never leave any food in open jars. Also, clean inside your kitchen cabinets to get rid of food particles and spills which can also attract pests.
Declutter the home
Spring cleaning should include decluttering the house to get rid of things that you no longer use. Remember, the more clutter you have, the higher the chances that pests such as spiders, moths, and rodents will find residence amidst it. Inspect your bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and living room, and identify household items and personal belongings that you hardly use. You can dispose of them, donate, or host a garage sale. Only ensure that your home is free of unwanted things that will act as breeding grounds and habitats for pests.
Seal cracks in the home
Pests such as ants, termites, spiders, and rats find their way into your home through cracks and openings in the doors, windows, or walls. Take the time to seal these openings during your spring cleaning project. This will deny pests access to your house. You can buy sealing caulk from the local store or seek the services of a professional pest control specialist.