Moving into a new home is exciting! Whether it’s a newly built structure or a previously standing home, having a fresh space is always an exciting new start- as long as it stays fresh and pest free. Unfortunately, your new home could look appealing to various insects and field rodents as well. Here are some simple ways to lower the odds of the most common pests showing up.
Mice: These guys will go where the food is, so it should be stored in impenetrable containers as often as possible; try using metal or Tupperware bins for pet food and lawn seeds in particular. Bread and cereal are usually sold in thin plastic and cardboard packaging which is very easy for mice to chew through, so consider using reusable containers. Seal up any small cracks or holes in the walls – interior and exterior – using a copper mesh product like Stuff-It in combination with a caulking compound. Mice can get through a hole as small as a dime, as well as jump and climb, so be sure to check everywhere from the foundation all the way up to even the attic for teeny tiny cracks.
Cockroaches: Cockroaches are attracted to damp and dark. Keep dark corners of the home that are prone to moisture and condensation such as under the sinks or the laundry room free of clutter, and tidy up using regular cleaning supplies frequently. Garbage should be taken out consistently, all clutter tidied, spills wiped up, stoves cleaned, and old newspapers or paper bags disposed of in a timely manner.
Flies: Sticky traps! Even without an established and identified infestation, these are handy to have around the house. Regular glue traps can be bought for as little as 3 for 99 cents and left out on windowsills or on top of cupboards. Fly lights can also be used and are very effective in control once you find you have too many in your space but don’t want to use chemicals. Fly lights are designed to attract flying insects using a UV light, and upon flying into them the insects get caught on the included glue board.
Ants: The best way to keep ants out of your home is to create a barrier surrounding the home. If your property or neighborhood sees a lot of ant activity and you want to prevent them from entering your home, use a combination of residual, contact or powder insecticides to treat any budding infestations, as well as monitors like sticky traps to keep an eye on any potential entry points or problem areas. Sprays such as Dr. Doom Residual or Poulin’s Insect Doom can be applied around the foundation of the home, upwards and outwards from the wall. Contact sprays will kill insects you see crawling around in that moment, while residuals stick around even after it’s dried, and can be re-applied every 10-14 days. Powdered insecticides such as Pro Ant and Roach Pyrodust Powder can be squeezed into out of the way places that it won’t be disturbed, and the ants will die upon being covered with it.
Always be sure to wear gloves and a mask, read the labels to follow instructions and heed safety warnings.
These products can also be applied to other crawling insects such as sow bugs, silverfish, beetles, spiders, centipedes and millipedes; as long as the label lists an insect as a target, it will be effective in controlling them. If the label doesn’t mention it, you’ll need to find a product that’s made for it.
For many pests, the simplest thing to start with as a measure of control is just to tidy up. General clutter, messes, spills and moisture should be kept under control. Yard clutter like accumulated leaves or fallen fruits off trees should be monitored and dealt with accordingly. Any structural damage such as cracks or holes in the walls and foundation should be repaired as soon as possible. If these pests survive all of your efforts to deter them and you find yourself with new little roommates, give Poulin’s a call to see what other options or offered control services may work best for you!