Preventing pests from making themselves at home inside your home can be tricky, especially if you have an older house with lots of nooks and crannies where little animals can hide. However, when you’re planning an event or will be having guests over, it’s important to look for ways you can keep mice and bugs from making an appearance. By keeping your home clean, organized, and decluttered, you can ensure that no pests will show up exactly at the wrong time, but you can also seal up potential entrances around the home to prevent them from returning.
Because vermin and bugs are attracted to water, food, and clutter , you’ll want to make sure those things are hard for them to find. The bathroom, kitchen , basement, and pantry are all areas where pests gravitate, so they need to be kept clean and organized. Seal up bags of cereal and put items that are in cardboard containers into a canister with a lid. For more tips on how to prevent pests when you’re expecting guests or are planning an event, read on.
Call in a pro
It’s critical to call in a professional exterminator if you suspect you have a rodent or insect problem because those issues can quickly get out of hand if left unaddressed. Mice can breed very quickly, and where there’s one ant, more will follow. Look online for local top-rated exterminators and do a little comparison shopping; don’t be afraid to ask for price quotes if you’re on a budget.
Prevent water issues
Homes with older plumbing can draw bugs that are looking for water, so keep an eye on the basement area and in the bathrooms and kitchen for leaks or excess drips. If you suspect that bugs are coming up from the drains, you might keep them plugged up when not in use. If you find standing water in basement areas, this could be a sign of a big problem with a sump pump, plumbing, or the washing machine, so don’t hesitate to call a plumber, and make sure any damage is taken care of right away. Cracked flooring and gaps in baseboards can create perfect spaces for mice to squeeze through.
Keep food in the kitchen
Keeping food in the kitchen is one of the easiest ways to prevent bugs and mice from moving in, as they are attracted to crumbs and food smells. As far as keeping bugs and mice from sneaking into the pantry, try some natural cleaning tips like using peppermint oil. Talk to your family members and guests about not taking treats into the bedrooms, and try to clean up as you go ; wipe down countertops, keep the toaster clean, and mop up spills as soon as possible. Keep a lid on the trash can, and make sure you change out the bag often. If you’re going to be having a cookout, clean the grill immediately after it cools down and remove any grease from the drip pan.
Keep the garage decluttered
Clutter is a homeowner’s worst enemy on many levels, but when it comes to preventing pests, it can really get in the way of keeping them out. Mice love to nest in soft things like tarps or sleeping bags, which are often found in garages, so if you keep this space clear, they won’t have a spot where they can hide. Install shelving and storage bins with lids that will help you keep your belongings safe and secure throughout the year.
Preventing pests can be difficult when you have a lot going on, so come up with a plan to clean and organize your home and keep it maintained for your guests without extra stress. Clean up at the end of each day rather than leaving it all for the end of the week, and make sure you have a secure place for anything that might attract vermin or bugs. With a little preparation, you can make sure your home is always protected.
Does Mold Attract Mice?
Mold itself is not known to attract mice. What does attract mice are the conditions that create mold like wet or damp areas typically in the dark or shaded areas of your home. So with that said, where you find mold, you may find mice as well.
