Rats Don’t Make Ratatouille: 4 Tactics to Keep Pests out of Your Home

Animals in the kitchen may be cute in films such as Ratatouille, but no one really wants rats or another pest in their kitchen. This is especially true when it comes to areas that you are eating. That is why you should do everything you can to prevent unwanted guest in your living area. Luckily for you, there are a variety of ways to keep unwanted animals out of your home, and the ones provided in this article are just a few options you have.

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Keep Things Clean

One of the top reasons pest come into your home is you are providing them with food. This is why it is important to keep your home clean. This is especially true in areas such as the kitchen where food can get dropped on the floor easily. You want to be sure to sweep, mop and vacuum the floor regularly to pick up any crumbs that might draw bugs into your home. Also, don’t just focus on cleaning the kitchen. You also need to clean the living room and other rooms of your home because crumbs can be carried into them on your feet or cloths. Lastly, be sure to take out the trash regularly because the smells coming from it can attract bugs too.

Get a Pet

Having a pet may seem counterproductive because they can be dirty, but really it is another good method to keep pest out. This is especially true if you get a cat for keeping rodents out. If the cat is kept indoors, then it can catch any rodents that get into your home. Outdoor pets might be even better though because then the cat or dog will catch the small vermin before they make it into your home.

Landscaping

Another thing that you might not think about that could lead to pest getting into your home is landscaping. You want to keep tree branches cut back so they aren’t touching your home because bugs can use them like bridges to get to your house. Also, for the area around your foundation, you might want to stay away from mulch and coverings that can promote bugs living in them. Lastly, for landscaping, you can plant specific flowers and plants around your home that put off scents that keep bugs and pest away.

Lights

Did you know that lights actually attract bugs? Especially flying bugs; so it is a good idea to try to minimize them being on at night. This is especially true if they are by doors or windows. The bugs will come to the light and then try every way they can to get to them. If the light is on in the home, then it means they will come into the windows if there are any gaps. If the lights are outside and by doors, though, then it can still be a problem because the bugs will fly in as you walk in or out.

Using these tips will help reduce the amount of pests that make it into your home. For those pests that do make it into your home, though, you might need an exterminator, such as those from Colonial Pest Control, Inc, to get rid of them.