Summer is almost over, and that means Autumn pests are on the way! Mice, spiders, and other bugs are about to make their way to your home. There is an argument for some bugs in the house. But no one really wants them. From oils to gardening, here’s how to keep them away.
Enlist the Help of Pets
You can buy all kinds of spays, use insecticides, and even call an exterminator. But without even knowing it, you have one of the best rodent control products available! Cats and dogs are pretty good at catching pests. Cats, especially, are known for getting rid of mice, rats, and even small animals. Dogs aren’t as prolific as cats when it comes to hunting. However, just their presence can keep other mammals and some birds away. Plus, they really enjoy eating small bugs!
Get Rid of Autumn Pests with Oils
One person’s pest is another person’s pet! And that includes spiders! Whether you appreciate spiders or run for the hills, they can still be pests. Additionally, you may not even be able to bring yourself to go near arachnids like spiders. According to the Cleveland Clinic, between 3% and 15% of people have arachnophobia. Fortunately, spiders have an acute sense of smell and don’t like certain scents. Peppermint, lemon, and lavender oils are effective at keeping them out.
Seal Up Your Entry Points
Most of the pests that like to invade our homes are invertebrates. That means they don’t have a backbone. Because of this, they are able to squeeze into the tiniest of spaces and holes. This is mainly how they get inside your house. Sealing up your gaps might seem like overkill, but it really is necessary when you consider how small some of these pests are. It takes time, but it is well worth it to check around the home for small gaps and fill them in with filler and sealants.
Keep Autumn Pests Away with Chores
You probably spend a lot of time making a nice home for yourself. So, what bugs wouldn’t want to live there? However, you may need to do some extra chores to keep the pests away:
- Vacuum and dust the home to pick up dust mites, spiders, and other bugs.
- Don’t leave cozy piles of laundry for pests to make their homes inside.
- Declutter your home to reduce the dark and warm hiding places for pests.
- Wash your bedding each week to remove and reduce any bugs hiding inside.
- Use home storage for clothing and fabrics such as plastic boxes and vacuum packaging.
Keeping a clean and tidy home is a powerful way to keep some pests away. Extra dusting and laundry, for example, eliminates some of the places pests like bugs like to make their homes.
Keep Your Home Dry
Like people, most pests want somewhere warm and cozy to live. There are many spaces in your home that offer the temperate conditions that pests like rats, mice, and spiders love. It may seem counterintuitive to open the windows, as pests can just hop right on in! However, the dryness of your home might be enough to put them off. If the weather is cold or even warm, then dehumidifiers can help remove excess moisture around the warmest spots of the house.
Autumn Pests Love the Yard
Of course, pests generally come in from the outside. So the yard can be the source of most. Even a pile of leaves in autumn will invite bugs and spiders. You can rake the leaves about every 3 or 4 days to help prevent it. Yet, just like the home, some garden maintenance will help prevent how many bugs and pests there are that can invade your home. Pesticides are also an option that you can spray on your foliage. Of course, it may not be an option for vegetables!
Call an Expert if Things are Bad
Pests breed like there is no tomorrow. Some species of rats breed at certain times of the year. But most will do it pretty much all year round! Sometimes, pests can get to the point where they are beyond our control. The last resort would be to call a professional exterminator. Don’t be alarmed, though. Most pest removal experts are excellent at their jobs and can remove pests humanely. This means they won’t harm the animals, or bugs are killed with minimal pain.
Summary
Pets like cats and dogs can help remove autumn pets. Keeping your home clean and tidy can also help. However, an expert pest removal service might be necessary if things get bad.