How to prevent pests

Pests can be attracted to lots of different things and sometimes an infestation is just down to bad luck. However, there are steps you can take to lessen the chances of pests being attracted to your home or to prevent them from coming back after you’ve had a treatment.

Try our top 10 tips

• Pests can get into your house in many different ways, but most travel through cracks and holes. Insects such as cockroaches are often found in cracks in walls, and mice can squeeze through gaps the width of a pencil. Seal up any cracks or holes you find in your property, especially those on outside facing walls or near pipes.
• Some pests, such as rats, are attracted to overgrown gardens. Keep your garden as tidy as possible and ensure plants and trees come into contact with the building as little as possible.
• Most pests need a frequent food supply. Keep your kitchen clear of crumbs and dirty dishes, and ensure any food left out is kept in an airtight container.
• Rinse out recyclable containers.
• As well as food, many pests need water. Fix leaking pipes as soon as possible and ensure that attics, basements and crawl spaces are kept dry and well ventilated.
• Keep a lid on your bin and take rubbish bags outside as soon as they are full.
• If you keep wood in your house for use on a fire, try to keep it to a minimum as it can attract insects.
• Keeping carpets and floors clean by regular vacuuming or mopping can help get rid of small insects and their eggs, and remove crumbs that may attract insects.
• Bird feeders can attract rats and mice, so try to place your feeder in the middle of your garden as rodents don't like to expose themselves in open areas.
• Call a qualified pest professional for additional advice and treatment if necessary.

If, despite following these tips, you do end up with some kind of pest, take a look at the services we can offer for insect infestations or rodent infestations.