Where do ants, cockroaches, and mice have in common? They are all pests that belong inside, but that love to venture inside your home. If you do see them inside, you need to take action fast — because this is not where they should be! Pests are not just a nuisance. They can spread disease, destroy your insulation and other building materials, and leave nasty smells behind.
Every homeowner should know the basics about pest control. Yes, you can call in a professional as needed, but knowing the basics will still help you keep the pests outside where they belong. You can learn those basics right here on this blog.
Attic Pests? How to Get Rid of Them
Pests in the attic may leave you baffled as to how they got up there in the first place, especially when it's a raccoon or ants. If you have these pests in your attic, they can begin to wreak havoc on the rest of your home. Pests can get up to your attic in a number of ways, but they certainly didn't use a ladder to get up there. Pests such as ants or smaller insects can get up onto your roof using your gutters and then climb up the side of your siding. Other pests such as mice or raccoons and opossums can all gain access to your attic via your roof. They can get up to the roof from a tree hanging over your home. If you have pests in your attic, you need to get rid of them quickly before they invade the rest of your home. Read on for tips on how to get rid of these pests.
Spray Your Exterior
If your problem is with pests climbing up the siding on your home, they may be all-around your foundation and around the perimeter of your home. In this case, you should consider spraying your home's exterior and the perimeter of your home. Spray the outside of your home with a pesticide, paying attention to garden areas or areas that contain mulch where these pests can be nesting. If you have gardens around your home's perimeter, you should be sure to clean these out often to remove decaying plants and to thin out the garden as well.
Remove Trees Hanging Over Your Home
If you have trees hanging low over your roof, you need to cut these back. Cut the trees back, as this may be how pests are getting up onto your roof and into your attic. They may have chewed their way into your attic, so you also need to repair any holes you have in the attic as well. Cutting the trees back can be a difficult job to do, so you may want to hire a professional to cut the trees for you.
Have the Pests Removed
Pests in the attic such as raccoons, opossums, and mice all need to be trapped and removed properly from your attic. Hire a professional pest control company to help get these pests out of your attic for you. Mice can be trapped with mouse traps, which you can set yourself, and other pests such as ants can also be trapped with ant baits.