Have you recently spotted a cockroach, ant, or other nasty insect in your kitchen? This can be quite annoying if you’re already doubling down on home hygiene to keep them out. Knowing how these pests are getting into your home will enable you to take the necessary precautions to keep your home clean and pest-free.
Homeowners are using the pest control Melbourne locals rely on to keep everything from cockroaches to rats from damaging the property and spreading disease in their homes. Another effective way to keep insects at bay is to locate the most common entry points and close them up. This post explores a few of these.
Assessing Insect Entry Points is Essential
Limiting insect entry points is as essential as eliminating potential food sources. The pest control experts have compiled a list of the common entry points you should keep an eye out for around your home.
1. Doors
Not all insects spend their days looking for secret entry points to sneak into your home. Sometimes the most obvious entry point is the front or back door, which is often open, making it easy to stroll right in. Since many are quite small, they can easily creep in through the bottom of the door.
Here’s what you can do to reduce the likelihood of this:
- Check the door frame and foundation around the door area for gaps and holes that could be coming through.
- Sweep the area around the door to remove any crumbs that may be attracting them in the first place.
- Spray a solution of peppermint or lavender oil and water on the door frame as this helps to deter most insects.
- Regularly wash the door frame to remove any scent trails that previous insects may have left for others to follow. You can use a simple soap and water solution for this.
2. Windows
If you’ve noticed ants, spiders, or cockroaches on your windowsills, chances are they’re coming in through a window. Open windows are a common entry point for cockroaches, rats and even snakes.
Reduce window entry by doing the following:
- Check and seal cracks and other openings where small insects may be coming in.
- If you regularly keep your windows open, consider adding screens so that you can still let fresh air in but still keep the bugs out.
- Close windows early in the afternoon as many insects return to their nests in the early evening or may come looking for food.
3. Ceilings and Walls
Pests are notorious for finding any way into your home and if they can’t get in through a door or window, they will look for crevices and gaps in the roof, ceiling, or walls. This usually happens when you have a missing tile on the roof as they will then have instant access to your ceiling area.
Keep them out by doing this:
- Inspect the roof for broken tiles or missing components. Repairing these is crucial.
- Check for openings along the ceiling line, the walls, as well the baseboards and have these sealed and repaired.
- Check the inside of the roof for entry points.
- Ask your pest controller to spray pesticide in any crawl spaces.
5. Plumbing Pipes
Another common entry point is the openings around plumbing pipes. Pests such as rodents, snakes, spiders, and cockroaches can easily crawl in by following the pipe into the house.
These few tips will help you deal with this entry point:
- Remove any plant material from the area around the pipes outside.
- Don’t seal the spaces as this can compromise the plumbing.
- Speak to your pest controller to spray the area if you’ve seen any insects coming in.
- Check for screens that can be added over or around the pipes to keep pests out. You can also make your own out of mesh.
Invest in Professional Pest Control
Professional pest control is the key to keeping pests out of your home. Here’s why:
- Professionals are experts at identifying different pests and know what signs to look out for.
- Pest control solutions are environmentally friendly, meaning they are safe to use around people and pets.
- Chemicals are mixed in accordance with current Australian legislation, giving you peace of mind that illegal chemicals aren’t being sprayed in your home.
- Experts have the right equipment, tools, and safety gear that ensure that applications are done safely and correctly.
- Solutions can be customised to suit the insect or space you’re dealing with.
- Experts will also spray pesticide along the perimeter of your home, inside the roof and along the foundation.
Final Thoughts
Insects are industrious enough to find the most creative entry points to get into your home. Sealing off these entry points ensures that you’re less likely to have insects moving in. Combining this with good home hygiene and professional pest control will see your home being pest-free in no time.
