Pest prevention: Try these effective hacks to keep your home clean and pest-free

How to keep your home pest-free: Planting herbs like basil, lavender, and mint around your home can deter pests like mosquitoes and flies, while essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil can be used to make homemade repellent sprays (Image: Canva)

Come summer and there are unwelcome visitors creeping into your homes - bugs and insects. These uninvited guests can bring about significant problems, particularly for those who overlook the importance of maintaining hygiene.

Moreover, certain pests, like mosquitoes, are vectors for diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and West Nile virus, posing a significant threat to public health. By keeping pests at bay, you not only protect yourself from potential health hazards but also safeguard the structural integrity of your homes.

It’s time to fight pests and prioritise your health and well-being. Here are a few tips to help you keep your home pest-free:

Keep it clean and dry: Keeping your home clean, dry, and clutter-free is key to deterring pests effectively. Regular vacuuming, sweeping, and dusting can eliminate crumbs and spills that attract pests. Focus on areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements where pests tend to congregate. Adding disinfectant to your cleaning water and using a vinegar-water solution on kitchen surfaces can further discourage pests from invading your space

Seal the openings: Pests can enter your home through even the tiniest of openings, so it is essential to seal any cracks, gaps, or holes in your walls, windows, and doors. Use caulk, weather stripping, or wire mesh to seal entry points and prevent pests from gaining access to your home.

Use air tight containers: Store food items in airtight containers to prevent pests like ants, cockroaches, and pantry moths from contaminating your food supply. Keep your kitchen clean and avoid leaving food out on countertops or in open containers, as this can attract pests.

Remove stagnant water: Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so it is essential to get rid of  any sources of standing water around your home. Check for clogged gutters, leaky faucets, pots and birdbaths, and take steps to remove or repair them to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

Opt for natural repellents: Certain plants and essential oils have natural repellent properties that can help keep pests at bay. Planting herbs like basil, lavender, and mint around your home can deter pests like mosquitoes and flies, while essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil can be used to make homemade repellent sprays.

Mow the lawn: Pests often find harborage in outdoor spaces like yards, gardens, and decks. It is therefore essential to keep these areas tidy and well-maintained. Trim overgrown vegetation, remove debris, and regularly mow the lawn to stop hiding places for pests.

Professional fumegation: If you are struggling to keep pests at bay on your own, consider hiring a professional pest control service. A qualified exterminator can assess your home for pest infestations, develop a customised treatment plan, and provide ongoing maintenance to keep pests under control.