Rats and roaches have been around for centuries and are still one of the most challenging pests to get rid of. The good news is that you can make your home less inviting to these pests with the proper knowledge. Rats and roaches can be a significant health risk to humans.
They carry diseases and contaminate food supplies by leaving their droppings behind. Rats also chew through electrical wires, which can lead to fires in your home. Here are some tips to keep rats and roaches out of your house:
Seal all cracks and holes
The first step in keeping roaches and rats out of your property is to seal up any small cracks or holes in the walls. This includes windows and doors and any other areas where they could get into your building. If there are spots where pipes enter the building, ensure they’re sealed properly.
Keep food sources away from rats and roaches
Rats and roaches are attracted to food, so it’s essential to keep it far away from them if possible. Store pet food in airtight containers and don’t leave food in dishes overnight. Clean up crumbs and spills immediately. If there is an easy source of food in your home, they will come in search of that food. Keeping the kitchen clean is an excellent way to discourage these pests from entering your home through the kitchen. Wipe up grease drips on counters before they harden into a mess that’s difficult to remove.
Use pest control
If you already have an infestation of roaches or rats in your home, it’s essential to take preventative measures before seeing them for yourself! Use pest control products designed specifically for these types of pests, such as Gold Coast commercial pest control.
Eliminate standing water
Roaches love moist areas where they can lay their eggs, so if possible, eliminate any standing water from your yard or home by cleaning gutters regularly or adding downspout extensions to direct rainwater away from the foundation of your house.
Keep garbage cans covered with lids
Rodents love to hide in them, so make sure they don’t have easy access to food scraps or other items that might attract them. To keep raccoons away from your trash cans, put a lid inside the can over the top of whatever you’re putting out there so they can’t get into it from above.
Wash dishes immediately after use
Rats are attracted to dirty dishes and food residue on them. Don’t leave dirty dishes sitting around for days or weeks on end. If you wash your dishes immediately after use, there will be no food residue for the rats to feed on.
And if you have young children who don’t always wash up after meals, you may want to consider installing a dishwasher or dish rack that makes it easier to wash dishes right after eating.
Use traps
The best way to catch a rat or a cockroach is by using traps. You can buy these at hardware stores or make them yourself using cardboard boxes. Place the box near where rats or cockroaches are commonly seen and wait for them to enter it.
Once they do, they won’t be able to escape from the box because there will be no opening other than the one they came in through. If you don’t want to use live traps, try using electronic ones instead. These devices emit ultrasonic sounds that drive away pests but don’t harm humans or pets.
Trim back any overgrown trees that could provide access points into your attic
Overgrown trees near the house provide easy access for rats into the attic space. If you have any large trees growing near your house, trim branches that come too close to the house so that they cannot be used as an entry point for rodents or other pests.
Install rat-proofing materials around your home
This includes metal flashing, cement board, and metal mesh screen on the bottom of your foundation wall. You can also install metal flashing around attic vents to prevent rats from entering your attic through these vents. Cover all exposed pipes with wire mesh sleeves. Rats love to chew on things such as pipe insulation and wires because they contain vitamins and minerals that their bodies need to function properly.
Rodents and roaches are disgusting and dangerous pests, so it’s no surprise that you want to keep them out of your house. The best way to do that is to prevent them from entering in the first place, which is easier said than done. For some solutions on how to do this, take a closer look at the tips above.
