A chief concern for homeowners across the country is keeping their home safe from undesirable wildlife, and understandably so. After all, the presence of pests on your property can signal all sorts of problems for you. At the very least, they’re unsanitary, but unwanted pests can actually pose an active health concern for the homeowners they’ve invaded. So you want to be on your guard.
While pest-proofing your home might seem tricky and expensive in the short-term, it usually proves to be a worthwhile investment in the long run. So what can you do?
1. Install screens on your windows.
You might also want to screen your doors, particularly if you live inside a home, but for apartments this might not be necessary. Putting up protective mesh screens on your windows, however, is a necessary step in protecting your home from unwanted critters. While initially expensive, try imagining sitting by the window every time you open it, to make sure no undesirables crawl through. Doesn’t sound like much fun, does it?
2. Look for (and seal) cracks.
It’s natural for cracks to appear in your walls and window structure over time, and it is your duty to be on the lookout for these cracks. Schedule inspections of your property on a regular basis, to safeguard against pests, and seal such holes and cracks promptly, upon discovery.
An open crack might not seem like a big deal to you, but to a rodent, it can seem like the ideal invitation into your home. Alternatively, you may call a professional pest removal company to do this inspection and repair for you. Companies like Complete Wildlife Removal Wyoming are great for safeguarding your home against critters.
3. Consider pipes, vents, and other utility openings.
Open pipes and vents are a big attraction point for a wide range of unwanted wildlife. In urban areas, pipes can constitute an entry point for snakes, rats, and other smaller pests like cockroaches, so definitely not something to play around with.
Consider sealing the openings, and checking the pipe structure itself regularly for cracks and openings. If you live in an apartment building, work together with your neighbors to make sure your building is pest-proof. Visit pestwildlife.com to learn more about pest animals, and how you can protect your home from them.
4. Speaking of pipes, avoid and fix leaks.
Obviously, a leaky pipe can cause other issues inside an apartment, like flooding, and extensive damage to the walls. Unsurprisingly, it can also pose a pest risk, since the accumulation of water from a leaky pipe might attract pests to the property. Keep in mind that these critters are entering human dwellings in search of three major things: food, water, and shelter. So you’ll want to do your best not to offer them any of the three.
If you notice a leaky pipe anywhere near your apartment, insist upon its repair immediately, before it has time to attract pests to the building. Remember, it’s always much easier working on prevention, than dealing with an infestation.
5. Store food properly.
And speaking of what attracts pests to your property – keep your home clean. That goes without saying, since leftovers, pet food bowls left out in the open, and crumbs all constitute a big attraction for pests.
Furthermore, in storing ingredients, produce, and other items, make sure you use sealable, airtight containers, so as to deter animals and pests from catching the scent, and approaching. It’s one thing to deal with pests on your property, sure, but wouldn’t it be much better if you didn’t attract them to your apartment in the first place?
