Having pests in your home is a major problem because they may damage your home or even present a health risk to you and your family. Getting rid of pests is essential. If you want to effectively get rid of pests in your home, you need to be aware of the places they usually hide.
Behind Cabinets and Appliances
Some pests, especially small ones, will hide in any nook and cranny they can find. The problem with these is these little spots are areas you likely don’t check often such as behind your cabinets and appliances. Unfortunately, appliances are common hiding places for cockroaches and other bugs. Cockroaches are notorious for living in warm, moist places which can include your appliances. Getting rid of cockroaches in your appliances requires a thorough approach. Make sure you clean everything well and seal off any spots where cockroaches are getting into your home.
In Your Walls
Since your walls are hollow, they make the perfect hiding place for pests. Your walls can hold anything from rodents such as squirrels or mice to any number of insects. Fortunately, there are a few ways to tell when pests are living in your walls. One of the main signs is if you hear noises in the walls such as scratching. You can also tell if there are pests in the walls if you see signs of chewing, find droppings, or if there are strong smells. You need to inspect your home regularly so you can find out how pests are getting into your home and put a stop to it.
Beneath Your Floors
Your floors are another common hiding space. Typically, you will see insects inside the floors. One of the most common will be termites. Termites can damage the floors and wood in your home and even threaten the structural integrity. Unfortunately, termites are typically hard to see, and you often don’t know they’ve been there until the damage is already done. This is why it’s important to take preventative measures. If you do think you have termites, one way to check is if portions of wood in your home are soft and give way easily.
In Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system is an essential part of your home, but it can become home to pests as well. This is especially true if it is not properly maintained. Pests can cause a problem in one of two ways. First, they can live in your HVAC system and cause problems through nesting or chewing. Second, some animals may simply become trapped in the system and die. Neither of these situations is ideal. To prevent damage and pests, you need to stay on top of your HVAC maintenance. You should be getting an HVAC inspection twice a year to check for damage.
Garage
The garage is easily accessible to pests because it is already exposed to the outdoors. It’s not hard for them to get in and the nature of certain garages can make it easy for them to stay. Garages appeal to pests partially because they are dark and there isn’t always a lot of activity. If pests find a food source in your garage they can be set for a while. You must secure and contain any trash or other materials pests might eat. Keeping your garage clean and organized can also help you keep out pests. If your garage is used for storage rather than for your cars, then it may be more prone to attracting pests.
Attic
The attic is a part of your home that often goes unnoticed. Unfortunately, this is not true for pests. Especially in the wintertime, your attic can be an appealing space because it is warm and there is little to no human activity. Pests can creep into your attic through cracks or holes along your roof. They can also get in through the vents. Likely, you’ll mostly find insects in your attic since it’s easier for them to squeeze in. However, larger pests may find their way in as well. Whatever the situation may be, you should contact a professional rather than dealing with it on your own.
Crawl Space
The crawl space is an open space between the ground and your house. Pests are attracted to this area for many reasons. First of all, it usually attracts and holds moisture which provides pests with a water source. Additionally, they find plenty of food sources through the rotting wood and some pests even become food to larger ones. Second, a crawl space maintains a warm temperature year-round. This gives pests a cozy place to seek refuge during the winter. One of the main reasons you’ll see pests in your crawl space is because it is easy for them to access. To prevent pests from thriving here, it is a good idea to seal up your crawl space.
Under Sinks
Whether in the kitchen or bathroom, it’s likely pests will be found under your sinks. These areas are dark and moist which creates the perfect environment for many insects. Underneath sinks, they also have access to your pipe system. They can use this access to covertly move throughout your home. Pipes also lead to the outdoors. This may be how the pests got in originally. Additionally, pests can even be found living in drains. These pests can live off the moisture as well as anything you drop down the drain. It’s important that you clean and unclog your drain regularly to prevent insects from settling.
Finding pests in your home is always unpleasant. It’s unsanitary and, in some cases, even frightening. It’s important to know where pests like to hide. This can help you know where and how to take preventative measures as well as where to look if you suspect pests are in your home. Dealing with them quickly is essential to both the safety of your home and the health of your family.
Do you have a pest problem in your home? Let us get rid of them for you! Contact us to request a free quote.