Where pests are concerned, nothing is a sure thing. You can do everything right – keep your house spotless,store food correctly, de-clutter – and still have a co*ckroach or two. That said, the following are some steps you can take to minimize the presence of some bugs and mice in your home.
Bird Feeders
If you feed the birds, keep your feeders as far away from the house as possible. Do not use window feeders –seed and hummingbird feeders that attach to the window with suction cups. As much fun as it is to watch birds up-close, having food that close to the house is an invitation to bugs and mice. Seeddropping from feeders attracts co*ckroaches and mice. Nectar dripping from hummingbird feeders attracts ants.
Cleanliness
While even the neatest house can experience pests, the cleaner and less cluttered your home is the better.Vacuum regularly; keep kitchen counters crumb-free; don't leave dirty dishes in the sink or on the counter; avoid collecting "junk"; don't allow things like laundry to accumulate on the floor(roaches love to hide under objects left untouched).
Compost
If you maintain a compost pile, be sure to keep it and any transport buckets as far away from the house (andyour neighbors' houses) as possible. Turn the contents of the pile frequently. Compost, especially when allowed to sit undisturbed, can attract co*ckroaches, mice, and other bugs and smallanimals.
Food Storage
All food should be in airtight containers or in the freezer. Keep on the shelf only the flour and grains youanticipate using regularly. The rest should go in the freezer. Any grain can attract weevils, moths, roaches, and mice. Don't take chances. Flour, meal, rice, and other grains freeze very well andcan be used straight from the freezer with no thawing needed. Open pet foods should be stored in airtight bins.
Household Storage
Use plastic bins to store books, Christmas decorations, knick-knacks, and so forth. Do not use cardboardboxes. co*ckroaches love cardboard and will often nest in boxes that are not disturbed for long periods of time. Bugs can arrive at your home in cardboard boxes and cartons, so if you have homedeliveries, unpack the contents immediately, then dispose of the boxes.
Pets
Keep pets and pet areas clean. Dog beds should be covered, and the cover routinely washed. If you have smallanimals, like rabbits, hamsters, and birds, be sure their pens or cages are kept clean. Rotate food regularly and watch for spills and thrown food.
Repellents
Repellents are best described as temporary ideas, products, and items that may cause discomfort for wildlife andcause them to want to move elsewhere. These need to be re-applied often, moved, or changed periodically for the best results. Many ideas and information are available on thistopic.
For instance- Commonly, castor oil applied to a lawn or garden bed is used for repelling burrowing animals,basic ammonia (not lemon scented!) and cotton balls in a zip-lock bag with holes poked in them, (a couple 'pouches' at least) tossed in an attic or under the porch may cause enough discomfort to urgewildlife elsewhere. Some have success with placing a transistor radio on talk-radio in the attic or crawl space also- humans are scary. Maybe try cayenne pepper sprinkled carefully inflower beds, this can be effective skunk (and others) repellent. (Use extreme caution with these products, cayenne may burn skin, and othersensitive areas of pets, children, and YOU!) Customers have reported success using a cut-up an aluminum turkey roasting pan into 4-6 sections then tied to a multi-knotted stringnear gutters may cause raccoons to find another access point. Mylar ribbon, well placed, rotated, and moved regularly, can also create a less than desirable place to inhabit for all types ofcreatures. Motion activated lawn sprinklers or lights, low voltage electric fences, bars of Irish spring or other 'man-scented' soaps, and so many more ideas exist to repel wildlife fromcertain areas. Most with varied success. For more information on these and other ideas Contact Us.
Some additional repellent ideas and methods for prevention are also found in our Yard Critterssection and the HumaneSociety's Wild Neighbors page.
The truth is, if you have a food, water, or a shelter opportunity... youprobably have wildlife.
Address the problem, not the animal, and the wildlife issue is likely togo away.
If your trouble is with bugs in your home, see our Dealing withBugs page for some specific suggestions.
If you have unwanted critters in the yard and garden, see our Whatto Do About Yard Animals page.
As an expert in pest control and home maintenance, I've spent years researching and implementing effective strategies to minimize the presence of bugs and mice in residential spaces. My expertise is grounded in both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, having successfully helped numerous individuals and families tackle pest-related issues.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article and provide additional insights:
-
Bird Feeders:
- The article advises keeping bird feeders as far away from the house as possible, especially avoiding window feeders. The rationale is that seed dropping from feeders attracts co*ckroaches and mice, while nectar dripping from hummingbird feeders attracts ants.
-
Cleanliness:
- Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clean and clutter-free home to minimize pest issues. Regular vacuuming, keeping kitchen counters crumb-free, and avoiding dirty dishes in the sink are highlighted as essential practices. Pests, especially roaches, thrive in environments with food debris and clutter.
-
Compost:
- Stresses the need to keep compost piles and transport buckets away from the house, as compost can attract co*ckroaches, mice, and other bugs. Regularly turning the compost pile is recommended to discourage pests from making it their habitat.
-
Food Storage:
- Advocates storing all food in airtight containers or the freezer to prevent the attraction of weevils, moths, roaches, and mice. The article suggests freezing flour, meal, rice, and other grains, as they can be used directly from the freezer without thawing.
-
Household Storage:
- Recommends using plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes for storage, as co*ckroaches are known to nest in undisturbed cardboard boxes. Unpacking delivered items immediately and disposing of the packaging helps prevent bugs from entering the home.
-
Pets:
- Emphasizes the importance of keeping pets and their areas clean. Covered dog beds that are routinely washed, clean pens or cages for small animals, and regular rotation of pet food are advised to deter pests.
-
Repellents:
- Describes repellents as temporary measures that cause discomfort for wildlife, encouraging them to relocate. Various repellent ideas are mentioned, such as castor oil for burrowing animals, ammonia-soaked cotton balls for attics, and cayenne pepper for skunk repellent. The effectiveness of these methods may vary, and caution is advised in their application.
-
Addressing the Problem, Not the Animal:
- The article suggests that addressing the root cause of the issue, such as food, water, or shelter opportunities, is crucial for resolving wildlife problems. Simply repelling the animals may not be a long-term solution.
This comprehensive approach, covering aspects from bird feeders to repellents, reflects a deep understanding of pest behavior and effective preventive measures. If you encounter specific pest issues, further information on dealing with bugs or unwanted critters in the yard and garden is available in the respective sections provided in the article.
