How to Remediate Pests from Your Home

Pest Remediation Information for Home OwnersPest infestations can make life difficult and unpleasant. Some pests can even make your home an unhealthy environment for you and your children. And one should never think of selling their home with a pest problem. As a homeowner, you can protect your family and your investment by watching for pests and taking steps to eliminate or prevent them. Here's what you need to know about pest remediation.

Do You Have Pests? Know the Signs

It's very rare for a pest to live on a property without leaving behind some evidence of its presence. Here's what to watch out for:

  • Scratching sounds in the walls or ceiling.
  • Chew holes in the walls or in cardboard boxes.
  • Pest sightings.
  • Chewing noises at night.
  • Pest feces on the floor or under sinks.

The warning signs of a pest infestation vary depending on what type of pest has moved into the house. Mice tend to make noises, while insects tend to be seen and not heard. Larger animals that move into the attic may leave more significant damage, like holes in the walls or attic vents.

How to Eliminate Pests

Pest elimination depends on the type of pest being eliminated. Work with a pest control company to ensure that it's done properly. Many pest companies will use poison to eliminate smaller pests like mice and insects. If this is unsettling to you, look for a company that uses other natural means to eliminate infestations.

Eliminate Food and Water

One of the things your pest control company will tell you to do is to eliminate any sources of food and water that the pest may be consuming. You may be asked to start storing your food in plastic containers that pests cannot chew through. Moving forward, keeping your food in plastic containers can prevent infestations in the future.

Identify the Nest

Your pest control company may work with you to find the source of the pest's nest. If the pest is living in your house, knowing where the nest is can help your pest control company place their traps or poison in an area where the pests are likely to find it. To locate the nest, follow pests to their hiding place, or look for patterns when sighting pests. If the pests always come from a specific room or crack in the wall, the nest is likely nearby.

Pest Prevention Techniques

Pest infestation is easier to prevent than to eliminate. Taking small steps to keep pests out of your home is much easier and more effective than trying to eliminate pests who have moved in. Here's what you can do to prevent pests from invading your property:

  • Seal all cracks on the home's exterior.
  • Weatherstrip your property, especially in fall and spring.
  • Use window screens to protect open windows.
  • Place outdoor garbage cans away from your home's perimeter, and keep the lids sealed at all times.
  • Clean your kitchen every night before bed, and take out the trash every night.
  • Never leave dirty dishes in the sink.
  • Repair plumbing leaks as soon as they become a problem.

If you have a pet like a dog or cat, your pet's food may be attracting pests. Never leave leftover pet food sitting out after your pet has finished their meal.

Selling Your Home? Eliminate Pests First

Nothing can reduce your home's value quite like an active pest infestation. If you're thinking about selling your Henning Ridge home, work with a pest control company to eliminate your pest problem first. Clean up all lingering signs of pest infestation, and repair any damage that the pests did to your home.

Get a clean bill of health from your pest control company before listing your property. If you decide to sell your property without remediating the infestation, you may need to disclose this information on the listing. Work with your real estate agent to list your home properly. This can help ensure that your home selling experience will go smoothly.

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