At this point we’re well into the New Year. In fact, there’s a good chance you’ve already broken most of your new year’s resolutions. If that’s the case, don’t worry. There are other more practical resolutions you can make. For example, the following cleaning related, pest busting resolutions will help you stop pests, and also keep your home even nicer than last year.
Stop pests with these handy household tips
1. Empty the bins more often
You’ll be surprised at how many people rarely empty their bins. They leave them for days until the bin is overflowing. In most cases, people simply press the rubbish down until it’s compacted. It’s either that, or they simply leave rubbish next to their bin. Stop doing this! You’ll only attract flies and ants. Instead, make a resolution to stop pests by emptying your bins as soon as they are full.
2. Destroy mountains of clutter
It’s safe to say that there’s probably at least some clutter in your home. If you’re like most people, you have one or two mountains of clutter somewhere. These piles are clutter are a great place for pests to hide. This is a particular issue because mice love playing in clutter. They also love harvesting nest materials from clutter. Your first priority in the New Year should be getting rid of unwanted piles of stuff. Doing this is one of the best methods to control mice and stop pests.
3. Clean beneath appliances
Most people don’t clean beneath their appliances. In fact, years can go between cleaning these areas. Yes, we understand that this is difficult. Moving your fridge, or microwave is a pain. The problem is that things like crumbs and oil can quickly accumulate underneath them. These are a magnet for cockroaches. Why not make it your resolution to clean beneath kitchen appliances at least once a week, or once a month?
4. Inspect cupboards
Cupboards have the same problem as appliances. What we mean is, unless the cupboard has food or clothing in it, there’s a good chance you’ll rarely open it. This is a huge problem because pests often get into these unopened cupboards. Once this happens, they can nest and breed to their hearts content. The biggest culprit here are cockroaches and moths. To stop pests like these, and prevent infestations, make sure your cupboards are inspected every so often.
5. Steam clean your carpets
Steam cleaning carpets is a great way to increase their lifespan. It’s also a great way to prevent pests. You see, vacuuming isn’t always enough. Microscopic particles of food can get ground into your carpet. These attract pests and cannot be removed by vacuuming. If you have fleas, these insects also live and breed in carpets, laying eggs and multiplying season after season until they are dealt with properly. This is why it’s a good idea to steam clean once a year, or every six months.