With summer just around the corner, the temperatures are finally rising, and you might feel the need to leave your doors and windows open to get as much fresh air as possible. Unfortunately, there is one thing no one is looking forward to when it comes to the warmer season – pests.
You might have enjoyed some pest-free months thanks to the low temperatures and the snow but don’t fool yourself – once spring comes, roaches will start roaming again, scouting for a new place to call home. If you don’t want to turn your house into a bloody battlefield, here are some easy ways to get rid of these pests before they become a real problem.
Sparkling clean
There is nothing more roaches love than a messy house, with plenty of potential sources of food and places to hide. If you don’t want to wake up with these pests under your bed or near your kitchen pantry, it’s high time you cleaned your house like there was no tomorrow. After all, why do you think it’s called spring cleaning?
We know there are million other ways to spend a weekend than mopping floors and cleaning windows, but if you want to make sure cockroaches, fleas, and other pests stay off your property, you need to thoroughly wash, vacuum, and clean all the surfaces around your house and your backyard.
Use mild detergents and natural, organic solutions instead of the common chemical-based cleaners, especially if you have small children or pets. Keep in mind that pets have a highly developed sense of smell, so strong chemicals might cause burns or discomfort.
Seal up cracks, crevices, and holes
It’s high time you put your quarantine-learned DIY skills at use by patching up your house like a pro. Look for small cracks, holes, openings, and crevices around the windows, doors, or old floors, and make sure you fix them so there is no room for roaches to go through.
Baseboards, attics, and between the countertop and the wall are also common places to find cracks and small holes, so cover them up as good as you can. If you don’t trust your handyperson skills, you might want to opt for a licensed contractor to pest-proof your house before the summer comes.
Fix any water leaks
Cockroaches and other pests are attracted to moisture and water coming from leaks in pipes. This is why you’ll mainly find them roaming under your skin or around this area. Some species of roaches might live for weeks without food but they cannot survive without water for more than a couple of days.
Thus, it is extremely important to fix any leaks you might have in pipes around your home. Use duct tape for small cracks and hire a professional plumber to look at the more serious cracks and holes. You won’t only save money on your next water bill but you’ll also keep your basement and house away from mildew, mold, and pests.
Consider repellents
There are a series of organic and natural repellents that can remove cockroaches from your house without any side effects on people or pets.
Powerful foggers, as well as natural sprays made from cayenne pepper, vinegar, and a mix of herbs, can prove efficient when it comes to getting rid of roaches. Similarly, diatomaceous earth, ultrasound repellents, and other products might handle the pest problem both inside the house and outdoors.
If everything else fails, you may apply chemical-based substances and sprays on the floors and around the cracks of your doors and windows to prevent roaches from getting inside your home.
