These days, it can be tough to keep any home free of insects and pests. For Australians, the difficulty is compounded, because there’s a lot more to keep out. And, the importance of keeping them out is much greater. With so many troublesome spiders, ants, termites, and other critters on the loose, pest control should be a top priority for homeowners. Ultimately, there is no guaranteed way to keep pests out. Where there are holes, cracks, windows, and doors, there are opportunities for entry. However, there are plenty of ways that you can significantly reduce the risk of pests gaining a foothold in your home.   These handy pest control tips will help you to keep your home free of uninvited bugs and critters at all times.

1. Know When to Ask for Help

First things first; if you suspect that you already have a problem with pests, you need to look for professional pest control services . Prevention methods won’t work if you have an existing issue, so tackle the invasion head on and hire a pest control expert. They will inspect your property, establish a plan of action, and then chat with you about the next step.

 2. Keep Your Garden Tidy

Termites find a way into a home when debris accumulates around its perimeter or foundations. If you have a brick house, there should be gaps around the base (within the bricks themselves). These little spaces are essential for ventilation, but if leaves, litter, or other junk is allowed to pile up here, termites can start to gather as well. They may look harmless, but termites are extremely destructive; you do not want them in your home.

 3. Deal with Food Waste Properly

Improperly discarded food waste is one of the main reasons why mice and rats show up uninvited. They like a free meal just as much as the rest of us, but if you don’t want them hanging around the house, you need to handle scraps and waste carefully. This means using a kitchen bin with a sturdy lid and never leaving food waste next to or around an outside bin.

4. Clean Your Recycled Items

Lots of homeowners neglect this piece of advice, but they later regret it, because their recycled pots, tubs, and cartons attract mice and other pests. It is not good enough just to throw your plastic and cardboard in the recycling bin and not give it a second glance. If it has been in contact with food, you need to rinse it out first. This only takes a second and it will protect your home from unwanted guests.

 5. Clean the House Regularly

The more mess, dirt, and clutter that you allow to build up in your home, the greater the chance of pests appearing too. If you keep a tidy home, they don’t have anywhere to hide. It will also lower the number of allergens and irritants hiding in the air and soft furnishings. For people with allergies, maintaining a clean and tidy home is an essential part of staying healthy.

 6. Invest in Scheduled Inspections

To really stay on top of pests and make sure that bugs and other critters don’t ever get a chance to cause you problems, invest in inspections twice a year. This is an affordable way to keep your property safe, particularly when it comes to things like termites. It is not uncommon for the structural integrity of homes to be eaten away by termites, even while the owners are blissfully unaware. Remember, prevention is always much cheaper than the cure.

View our Albury Pest Control Services page for full details on the services we provide.