6 Ways to Protect Your Home from Pests for Winter

During this period of confinement when you are all safe at home, make sure that no one other than your family members takes refuge under your roof!Pests are not afraid to venture outside, and will not respect social distancing! They’re ready to break all the rules and make themselves comfortable in your pantries, closets, or wherever they’ll have a chance to sneak in. Fear not, here are our top 5 tips to help you keep them away from home. It’s also a very productive way to use your free time!

1- Become a house fairy!

Cluttered areas are very attractive to pests such as rodents who will make a cozy nest in your clutter. The same goes for nasty cockroaches and spiders, which like to hide and multiply sneakily in dark, cluttered areas. Are you wondering what you can do with your free time? Roll up your sleeves! Now is the time to get rid of all the unnecessary clutter and mess you never had time to deal with. In the trash can all those piles of old newspapers or old unused items. Organize your pantry by sealing produce in plastic boxes or glass jars. Your best defense against pests is a clean, well-maintained home!

2- Become a handyman!

Take a look around your home, keeping your eyes peeled for cracks and holes, which are like open doors for pests to invade your territory. Check spaces under doors or holes in walls where wires, pipes and drains pass. Small insects can easily enter these small openings. You will be surprised to know that rodents can squeeze through very small openings. Holes and cracks in the wall can also provide small insects with a place to hide. Your best option? Get some putty and fill the holes and cracks around your house. This involves sealing everything to block any form of access to unwanted people. Some holes are so tiny that you may not notice them right away, but they are large enough for ants or other insects to squeeze through. The best way to keep small insects away is to plug all entrances and holes.

3- Take out the trash!

Piling up trash is like an invitation for pests of all kinds to come and have a free meal. Flies, cockroaches, rats… they will all come running to the enticing smell. Green waste, such as cut branches and grass, will attract mosquitoes. Make sure they are well sealed in plastic bags designed for this purpose. Make sure all your waste is properly packaged in closed bags, ready for collection. Do not leave full trash cans inside the house, as this will also attract pests. Remember to clean your trash cans regularly to ensure there is no leftover trash that can still attract them.

4- It’s time to fix everything!

Do you have leaks in the house? Not only do leaks cause wasted water, they cause mold and structural damage. The bad news is that they also attract a number of pests into your home. Pests like cockroaches and rats need water to survive and are attracted to damp areas. Some of them can only survive on water for months! Do your best to patch any leaks with duct tape while waiting for a plumber to arrive. Make sure that water does not accumulate anywhere in your house, balcony or garden, as stagnant water is a real paradise for mosquitoes who can lay their hundreds of eggs there. Check flower pots or any containers that may have collected water and empty them. By preventing pests from accessing water, this means preventing them from feeding.

5- Clean EVERYWHERE!

Have you washed the dishes, mopped the floors and have a satisfying feeling that your home is spotless? Have you thought about cleaning all your kitchen appliances such as oven, microwave, etc.? ? The toaster and oven often contain food particles after use, which attracts lizards, ants, cockroaches and other pests to your kitchen. These pests can spread bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli and pose many health risks to you and your family. Additionally, their feces and urine can contaminate food. And since the kitchen is where you prepare your meals, you really want it to be spotless. It is therefore worth cleaning these appliances regularly to avoid unwanted surprise guests at dinner!

And there you have it, now you know how to spend your time productively and keep pests away from your home! Stay safe