One of the easiest ways to prevent unwanted pests from entering your home is cleaning up on a regular basis. If you’re a cleaning enthusiast, you are probably doing a great job already, but there are a few key tips and tricks you should know. Even if you are meticulous about your home, you may have a moment here and there when you forget to clean up a mess or wait until the next day.
Storing and Sealing Your Food
Bugs and other pests love food, especially easily accessible items – so make sure to store your groceries properly. You may choose to leave some fruit on your counter, but keep a close eye on it as it ages. Old fruit or other foods sitting in your kitchen can attract a host of bugs even after just a day or two. As a rule of thumb, if you aren’t going to eat it within the next 24 hours, store your food in sealed containers.
Wipe Away Spills
Especially if you have little ones around, you are going to have the occasional spill around the house. As soon as you notice spilled food or fluid, take a moment to thoroughly clean the area. Don’t leave any sticky residues or crumbs. Ants and cockroaches, in particular, enjoy spills, so don’t give these pests any invitations to come into your home.
Clean Your Dirty Dishes
If you can, wash your dishes on a daily basis. The food residue will attract crawling and flying pests as it begins to decompose. Sometimes, you may not feel up to the chore. If this is the case, fill the sink with water and a bit of dish soap. The cleaning agent and water will discourage pests. Plus, letting your dishes soak overnight will soften hard residue and make cleaning up a bit easier. Be sure not to let it sit for too long, as pests also love standing water!
Give Your Pet Regular Baths
When you think about cleaning up your home, don’t forget about your furry friend. If your animal spends time outside, he or she will often carry in small insects and pests on his or her hair. To avoid these little bugs, give your pet a regular bath and use tick and flea prevention solutions provided by your vet.
Cleaning up your home will go a long way in preventing pests and other unwanted houseguests from taking root on your property. Most solutions are simple and won’t take up too much extra time. Keep an eye on these specific areas to make the most of your cleaning routine.