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How to keep common pests out of your house
When it comes to home pest control, prevention is better than cure. Here's a guide to dealing with five common household pests.
The thought of creepy crawlies and rodents in the home is unsettling. But it's important to know how to deal with them because pests such as ants and rodents can pose a threat to the structure of your home as well as your health.
RACV Head of Home and Business Insurance Kirsty Hayes says prevention is the best solution when it comes to rodents in your home. Effective home pest control involves understanding their habitat, food sources and breeding grounds.
“Homeowners should book a rodent check at least once a year to make sure they don’t have any uninvited guests,” Hayes says.
The best - and safest - approach is to make your home and garden unattractive to them in the first place. Here's a guide to preventing five common household pests, without the need to use pesticides.
How to get rid of pests in your home
Why are pests and vermin in my house?
Damp spots from leaking pipes or overflowing gutters, and food scraps are among the top culprits for pest infestations in the home.
Additionally, as the weather turns colder, rodents and other pests will look for warmer indoor shelters to set up home over the winter.
Keep overflowing gutters in check to deter rodents and other pests.
How do I get rid of common household pests?
It's great to have a home compost, but make sure all food scraps are sealed or discarded to deter cockroaches and rodents.
Keep your pet bowls clean because pet food attracts rodents, while stagnant water attracts mosquitoes. Image: Getty
Termites can cause extensive damage to wooden structures and homes. Image: Getty.
Keep mosquitoes out with tightly-woven flyscreens. Image: Getty.