The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded humanity just how many things we took for granted. Currently, only essential service providers are allowed to move around. Unfortunately, this doesn’t include pet exterminators.
We’re also faced with social distancing measures. So, it’s highly unlikely that you’d let a pest exterminator into your home even if one came around knocking. The lack of such services puts you at the risk of pest infestations.
However, it’s not all gloom and doom. There are a few things you can do around your home or business to deal with pests or at least mitigate their effects.
Here are a few DIY pest control tips to help you during the covid19 pandemic.
- Maintain A Hygienic Home
Pests are attracted to garbage, dirt, and grime. They feed on household waste and some pest find refuge inside your litter. Maintaining a clean home makes it less conducive for all types of pests.
Ensure that you wash your dishes as soon as possible. Counters should also remain spotless and mop or vacuum your floors regularly. It would also help if you empty the trash regularly as well as keeping a trim garbage-free lawn.
Such measures sound too basic to work but they reduce the likelihood of full-blown pest infestations.
- Seal Off All Entry Points
The best way to control pests is by denying them access to your home. A cursory inspection for your home’s interior and exterior will reveal exactly how insects, rodents, and other nuisances sneak into your home.
Look out for cracks in your foundation, walls, and other fixtures. You can also check of cracks on windows, doors, and spaces in utility wires and pipes. Keep a keen eye out for any space that pests can squeeze through.
Finally, ensure that all gaps and spaces are sealed. This will keep all pests outside your home where they belong.
- Eliminate All Potential Food Sources
Pests need food, water, and shelter to thrive just like all organic life forms. Eliminating all food sources is the best way to discourage pest infestations.
Start by checking for and repairing all leaky taps and pipes in and around your home. Next, regularly clean all your floors and keep your home trash free.
If you have a pet, consider keeping their feed stations free of food and water. Such measures will deny insects and other pests of potential food and shelter.
- Keep A Clean Yard
Your yard provides a safe refuge for household pests looking to invade your home. The tall grass, weeds, and piles of twigs and other debris provide sufficient cover from their natural enemies. Untidy yards provide comfortable habitats pests such as termites, snakes, and a variety of insects.
Weeding, picking up litter, and keeping your yard free of all debris makes your compound less attractive to pests. It also makes it cleaner which is a handy bonus.
Houseflies, moths, midges and other insects are some of the most annoying pests that could invade your home. They cause a lot of damage and contaminate your water and food reserves. Bug zappers are one of the most effective ways of eliminating all flying pests form your home.
These devices work by emitting an ultraviolet light to attract insects. The insects are then electrocuted or explode into tiny pieces upon . That only leaves you with the task of cleaning out the trap and setting it up for the next comers.
- Exploit Your Pest’s Natural Enemy
One of the joys with owning cats is that they eat mice and other rodents. They’ll also make quick sport of cockroaches and most insects. Even, if they don’t eat such pest the mere smell of a cat will keep any wandering rodents away from your home.
Many plants also have natural pest repentant qualities. You should consider keeping the following plants in and around your home:
- Catnip: ants, cockroaches and weevils like to keep away from this plant.
- Spearmint: Repels rodents, moths and all types of beetles.
- Chrysanthemum blossoms: Smell great and keep fleas, bedbugs, ants and most insects away from your home.
There are more examples but these three are easy to find and thrive in indoor environments.
- All-Purpose DIY Insecticide Spray
Most people wonder, “why use a crude insecticide when you can buy the real thing online or at a supermarket?” Well, it sounds counter-intuitive but DIY sprays are a safer way of dealing with insects.
This is especially during the coronavirus pandemic when you’re under self-isolation and can’t leave home for hours to let the insecticide work its magic.
Ingredients
- 1 gallon of water
- 2 teaspoons castile soap
Procedure
- Mix all the ingredients thoroughly
Decant the mixture into a sprayer and use it to fumigate your home. It’s ideal for countertops, floors and anywhere you please since it’s not as toxic as commercial insecticide sprays.
To Sum It Up
This global pandemic has created a shortage of essential services that include pest extermination. However, as you can see, there are many ways to deal with pests. What’s more, you don’t need to expose yourself to harmful toxins. Hence its better to the best pest control company in London like Empire Pest Control.
Please to observe social distancing and high hygienic standards even as you work to stave off pest infestations during the coronavirus pandemic.