Pests are a nuisance and in addition to being annoying, they can cause a lot of damage and expense in our homes. The pest control company can provide a lot of great information to the homeowner on how to keep these common household pests at bay. One of those is taking out the conducive conditions that allow them to grow.
Let’s take a look at termites as an example and then what conducive conditions are and how to get rid of them for termites and common household pests, maintenance around the home and inside the house, and how a partnership with the pest control company is important.
Why You Need to Know About Common Household Pests
Common household pests drive us crazy and nothing ever seems to work to get rid of them. Fortunately, we know that there are conducive conditions that make the pests feel invited to your home. The good news is that pest control companies can help you with ideas to keep these annoying uninvited guests away.
Termites
Termites cause $5 billion dollars in damage each year to homes across the U.S. They are known as the “silent destroyers” as they can chew through wallpaper, flooring, and wood undetected. They thrive in these “conducive conditions” which are environmental or structural conditions that provide the pests with food, water, or shelter.
Termite Infestations
Termites love conducive conditions that are due to faulty or outdated construction methods or poor maintenance of structures or landscaping. The inviting conditions for termite infestations can include the following with suggestions for fixing the issue:
Soil Line Too High or Foundation is Too Low
Fix the soil line by taking out some of the soil levels as termites live in there. Also, make sure it is away from the home.
Heavy Foliage
Clean out the leaves, dead trees, branches, etc.when you notice it is accumulating in the yard.
Wood to Soil Contact
This makes termites happy so be sure to clear the soil away from the wood.
Moisture Damaged or Damp Wood
Store firewood or other wood in a covered area away from the home. Leaving it out in the open and in an area where it can get wet is inviting mold and termites.
Standing Water in the Yard
A drainage system may be needed in the home/yard such as a French drain or better landscaping to direct the water away from the home.
Planter Box Against the House/Structure
Move the planter box at least 12 inches away from the house/structure to make it less attractive to household pests.
Insufficient Ventilation
If air doesn’t flow freely through the home, the moisture builds up and will attract termites. Contact a home inspector to diagnose the issue.
Common Household Pests Are a Nuisance
Termites are not the only pests that can be a nuisance in the home. Others may include bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, rodents, flies, mosquitoes, fleas, spiders, ticks, and gnats for example. Some common here in Florida, in addition to the list above, are earwigs, silverfish, and stinging pests to name a few.
Maintenance Around the Home to Keep the Common Household Pests Away
Walking around the home at least 1-2 times a year to see if there are any issues is important. Some of the things that should be on your maintenance checklist are the following:
Branches and Foliage Touching the Home and/or Roof
Cut these back so they don’t give the pests a way to get into the home.
Soffit Vents
Look for missing or damaged screens. The purpose is to make sure that the air flows and keeps mold off the roof.
Damaged Soffit on Eaves
The eaves hang over the home and protect it from water intrusion. The soffit is on the underside of the eaves and if it is open, can invite unwanted pests and rodents.
Cracks In Stucco
A crack in the stucco that a credit card (smaller than 1/8 in.) can fit into can be fixed by a homeowner. However, if it is bigger than that, contact a professional.
Caulk Missing From Window and Door Frames
Caulk that is missing can cause a leak in the window or door frames. This can lead to water and pest intrusion.
Food for Pets: Dogs and Cats
Even though animals need to eat, leaving food out overnight or for an extended period of time is not a good idea. This is asking for larger rodents and animals to hang around the home. Putting the food in a safer place for the pet is ideal.
HVAC Maintenance
While you are taking a look around the home for the issues above, think about checking the HVAC unit as well. You want to be sure that you are not increasing the chances of mold growing if the A/C stops working.
Maintenance Checklist Inside the Home
Dirty Dishes
Dishes that have food and left in the sink attract cockroaches and ants. It is a good idea to put dishes in the dishwasher or hand wash them as soon as possible.
Food Left Out on Counters and Tables
Just like dirty dishes, this attracts ants and cockroaches. Cleaning off the food preparing and eating areas after each meal is essential.
Pest Control Treatments by a Professional
Pest control treatments can take care of household pests. However, if there are issues such as those listed above, coverage of pest control treatments may be reduced, cause treatments to break down more quickly, or make visual inspections ineffective.
An example is heavy foliage against a house. This will keep pest control treatments from reaching the structure, creates a high moisture environment that breaks down pesticides, and restricts the ability of pest control experts to see the structure during inspections.
The Partnership of the Homeowner and Pest Control Company
The presence of the conditions above does not mean that there is a pest problem, nor does correcting them mean that you won’t have a pest problem in the future. However, taking away the inviting conditions can reduce the abundance of pests around a structure, thus reducing the likelihood they will become a problem in the future. If you see remnants or evidence of animals, reach out to a professional.
Discussing conducive conditions is vital between pest control companies and their clients. This not only educates customers, but also helps to mitigate possible infestations of invasive species. It also empowers customers in their role in pest prevention as well, and how they can help to eliminate conducive conditions around their home.
Conclusion
Household pests thrive in inviting areas and it is the job of the homeowner to take care of these conditions to make sure they don’t exist, as well as the pest control person. Keeping areas clean as mentioned above and performing maintenance around the home 1-2 times a year is vital. Pest Prevention is a team effort.
When customers are educated as to their role, both the pest control company and the customer will come off victorious! We offer pest control services in Brevard County, FL. If you have questions or need our services, leave a comment below!
