Tempted into our homes by warmth, shelter, and food, pests are a common nuisance even when your home is clean and tidy. As well as just being generally unpleasant to be around, pests can cause all kinds of expensive damage to your home, and in many cases they can spread diseases to you and your family as well. In fact, both insects and rodents are capable of carrying bacteria that pose serious health risks to humans, sometimes they can even be fatal so this isn’t something to overlook as part of your home maintenance. If you have underlying health issues like respiratory problems or allergies already then pests will certainly make them worse. Here are some things to bear in mind if you’re dealing with pests or looking to prevent them.

What are some common pests you might see at home?

Common pests that you might come up against at home are insects such as ants, cockroaches, termites, beetles and moths. Rodents are also common, particularly if you live near areas of wild and undisturbed land like fields or woods. Some bird species can also become nuisances too, like pigeons that make nests in building eaves and leave their corrosive droppings on them. Over time this can lead to leaks, structural damage and damage to the outside such as on bricks or rendering. Fleas are another common pest at home especially if you live with pets as they have constant access to be able to feed and reproduce. Although even without pets, they can live for a surprisingly long time which isn’t ideal if for example you’ve just moved into a new home.

Monitoring and Early Detection

Before you ever see signs of pests, it’s so worth keeping an eye out. Pests can be sneaky and you might not ever see a thing until a full infestation has happened so watch out for any early signs. Check dark corners, under sinks, in cupboards, and behind appliances for signs of pests at least once a week. Small traps or sticky boards can help you detect infestations early before they become serious. Keep a log of any sightings or droppings to track patterns and identify hotspots. Early detection means faster intervention and prevents a minor problem from escalating into a larger and costlier issue.

Repairing Damage

In many cases, you might spot pest activity before you see the pests themselves. This could be damaged electrical cables, ripped open food in the pantry, and droppings caused by rodents. Sometimes signs include dead insects, thinning carpets, or holes in fabrics caused by moths and beetles. As soon as you see any indication of pest activity it’s important to act quickly, since they can multiply so quickly a small problem can fast become a very large one. There are lots of DIY products out there which can help to kill pests. However, it’s often best to leave it to the professionals because leftover eggs or surviving pests can easily restart an infestation.. Contact an exterminator and find out if they deal with the type of pests you have, eg professional cockroach exterminators. You will save yourself hassle in the long run.

Preventing Future Pests

Any home can be invaded by pests, even clean and tidy homes. However, it’s always best to keep your home clean and tidy since you reduce your chances of being infested, and you will also notice pest activity more quickly. Mess and clutter give pests more time to spread before you spot them. If you’re surrounded by clutter and mess, it could be longer before you spot the signs which mean the infestation has more time to spread.

Since food is one of the driving forces for pests entering homes, make sure that this is always stored away. In your pantry be sure to put dried food into glass lidded jars since pests aren’t able to gnaw their way through. Don't forget to clean up crumbs, food spills, and pet food daily to keep pests away. Make sure crumbs, general food mess and even pet food is put away at the end of each day to prevent pests targeting your home.