For most people, buying a home is a whirlwind experience. In the joy and excitement of actually making an offer, getting a mortgage and moving in, it is easy to forget about potential pest issues. However, staying ahead of pests may make a home more comfortable for yourself and less comfortable for the bugs.

Eliminate Potential Food Sources

Insects, rodents and other pests are all attracted to various sources of food. To keep rodents away, make sure to clean up crumbs and take out the trash regularly. To keep ants and flies away, get rid of anything that may have sugar on it. However, you can use a bottle of soda or similar liquid to attract and trap insects as a pest control method.

Treating wooden surfaces may keep carpenter ants and termites from eating away at your property. Painting wooden surfaces such as a garage door, siding or any other surface that may be exposed to bugs is an easy way to accomplish this goal. You can paint it on with a brush or use a spray can to get the job done faster and easier.

Keep Moisture to a Minimum

If you live in a humid climate, you will want to make sure that moisture is not allowed to linger in your home. This may mean buying a dehumidifier or putting more vents in your attic. Moisture may attract termites, mosquitoes and a variety of other pests to your home. In addition to pest issues, moisture can also cause mold to form or rot wood and other materials within the home.

In some cases, excess moisture may be attributed to a leaky pipe or a problem with the roof. It may be worthwhile to have the roof inspected or your pipes checked to ensure that there is no leak. Flooding in the basement can be the result of not having gutters, so have them checked at the same time the roof is being looked at.

Seal off Potential Entrance Points

Most pests can squeeze through spaces as small as a quarter of an inch or less. Therefore, it is important that you close any potential gap or hole no matter how large or small it may be. This means caulking window frames, closing gaps between doors and floors and replacing any pipes that may have cracks or holes in them.

If you have a crawl space, it may be a good idea to spray underneath it every so often to prevent possible infestations. Gutters and eaves may be another place where bugs and rodents like to gather. You can prevent this from happening by putting guards on your gutters and spraying around the eaves.

Work with a Pest Control Expert

When you first move into a home, it may be a good idea to have it inspected for pests. This may be an especially good idea if you see evidence of pest damage or potential infestations during the original inspection. If you need pest control, then calling an exterminator may also be worthwhile. This is especially true if you are dealing with large numbers of stinging or biting insects.

A professional may have the tools and expertise to diagnose potential problems and take care of them in a timely manner. It may be possible to create pest control solutions that aren’t harmful to small children or pets to make sure that everyone is safe in the home.

Repairing damage caused by pests can easily cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. It may also make it harder to sell or rent a home in the future. Therefore, make sure to stay one step ahead of potential invaders if you want to get the most from your investment.

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