You keep your house clean, install screens on all the windows, and don’t leave doors open. All those precautions and pests are still managing to slip in. Does this sound like you? Don’t be shy if it does! Many people don’t understand what exactly drives pests to invade their home. If you don’t know what’s causing the invasion, it can be hard to stop it. Fear not, for our pest control experts have weighed in on what attracts pests to your home.
Dirty Dishes Attract Bugs
Dirty dishes are more than an annoying chore; they’re a beacon for pests like cockroaches and flies! Roaches, in particular, are simple bugs. They want food, water, and shelter. Your kitchen sink is the ideal spot for them, as there’s plenty of delicious cockroach-sized morsels left on a plate after a meal. The water doesn’t scare them, and they may even be likely to hide inside your garbage disposal. Flies are also commonly found buzzing around dirty dishes. Roaches are attracted to the food source. Flies are usually easier to get rid of. Cockroaches are notoriously difficult to banish, not least of which because they’re nighttime prowlers. You may not notice you have a problem until it’s too late.
Houseplants Are More Than Decoration – They’re Food!
Your houseplants do dual duty as a beautiful decoration for your home and a buffet for unwanted pests. Nutrient-rich soil is a must for stunning greenery, but those same nutrients can feed a wealth of aphids, fruit flies, and normal flies. You may not notice these 24/7 pests feeding off of your beloved plants, but not being regularly touched is exactly what pests are after. Since you’re not continuously moving plants around, they feel safe to reproduce in the pots or under the leaves. To avoid this, monitor your plants regularly. They should be turned in every week or so to keep them active. Use plant-safe bug repellents every month or so to keep your greens uneaten, and don’t hesitate to contact a professional pest control company to spray them if you feel they need extra attention.
Cluttered Spaces Attract Scorpions, Spiders, and Rodents
Finished basements and attics are rare in the Henderson area but not unknown. If you’re one of the lucky ones with a dedicated storage area in your home, you’ll want to make sure you pay proper attention to it. Storage is a hotspot for rodent and bug activity. Anywhere the pest feels undisturbed is a good home for them. Things like old Christmas decorations can quickly become nests for rats. Cockroaches will chew through the cardboard boxes holding your family picture albums. The best way to avoid scorpions, roaches, spiders, and rodents settling into your storage is to regularly disturb it. Even shifting boxes around once a season will teach them they’re not alone. They may leave based solely on that, or the disturbance will be enough that they show themselves. Then you can call in your trusted pest control service to take care of the problem!
Small Cracks Are No Match For Pests
Bugs are determined. Even the smallest crack around your window, door, or home’s foundation is an open door to all manner of pests. Scorpions, cockroaches, and ants are likely to slip in through cracks as small as the width of a dime! The only way to prevent this from happening is by regularly caulking cracks and sealing windows and doors. The Henderson summer heat can sometimes wear down sealant before it’s natural time, which makes checking for and sealing up cracks a yearly chore.
Even Clean Pets Attract Pests
We’re not saying Fideo is filthy, but pets are a leading cause for pest infestations. Indoor-outdoor pets who trek back and forth can easily carry fleas and ticks into the home. Even pets who live inside provide an opportunity for bugs through their food bowls. Roaches and ants aren’t picky about their food source. They’re happy to eat a cat’s leftovers! To avoid attracting pests to your home via your furry companions, you should check each pet once they come inside. Monitor for any scratching, which could indicate fleas. Feed them on a schedule and remove the bowl once they’re done. It’s not overbearing to supervise mealtime; you want to limit the amount of exposure to pests whenever you can. There are several dangerous pests native to the Henderson area which can seriously hurt your beloved canine or feline. Keep them safe by staying vigilant!
For more common pests and other related pest tips, please contact Dr. Death Pest Control.