Even if you’re an avid animal lover, chances are that you don’t want pests in your home. Nobody wants to have pests plaguing their house, whether they’re rodents, insects, or other critters and creepy crawlies. While plenty of pest control treatments are available nowadays, prevention is always better than a cure. Taking precautionary measures is the best way to protect yourself from an infestation and can save you a lot of grief down the track.

Whether you’re moving into an existing home or building one from scratch, there are a number of preventive pest control measures you can take to lower the chance of an infestation. Read on to discover the three best preventive measures for pest control.

How to Pest Control Your House

1. Find and Seal Possible Entry Points

As soon as you move in, carefully check your walls and foundations for any cracks, holes, or other crevices that can become doorways for pests to enter your home. Bear in mind that insects, rats, and mice can all slip into extremely small holes, even if it looks impossible. If you do spot any potential entry points, seal them up with cement, plaster, steel wool, caulk, or hardware cloth.

During your home and pest inspection, also be sure to do the following:

• Check that the bottom of your garage door is in good shape and is closing properly.
• Install a cap on your chimney to prevent animals from entering.
• Check the screens of your vents and joints in your doors and windows for unwanted openings and seal them off as necessary.
• Check for any holes in the cable that may be big enough for pests to enter through.
• Ensure that wooden windows and door frames are elevated from the ground soil to avoid infestation with termites, ants, and other insects.

Top Tip: In addition to the above, always check any second-hand furniture for pests, particularly bed bugs and termites.

2. Arrange and Maintain Your Outside Area

The best home pest control strategies don’t start and stop inside the house; they also extend to the garden and front yard. The following garden pest control measures can prevent critters from overtaking your home and ensure your hard work on landscaping stays intact.

Trim Bushes and Trees

Bushes and trees that are close to the house itself should be trimmed back to ensure that they don’t touch the facade, roof, or gutters. If you’re planting the garden yourself, ensure that plants and shrubs are set at a reasonable distance from your home to prevent animals from using them as a bridge to the property.

Clean Garden Accessories

If you have a bird feeder, place it at a distance from the house and immediately clean up any food spills so as not to attract rodents. Similarly, always ensure that your rubbish bin is closed correctly, and keep any wood piles away from the house’s foundation. Also, clean your barbeque and outdoor entertainment area regularly, and never leave food or compost outside for too long.

Moderate Your Water Usage

Be careful not to over-mulch your garden since too much moisture can create problems for plants and attract pests. Termites and ants are attracted to excess moisture, and stagnant water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects in warmer months.

3. Keep Your Home Clean

Keeping your home clean is a great way to minimise the risk of home pest infestations and ensure you enjoy living in your home as much as possible. Set a regular home maintenance schedule and take preventive measures, including:

• Placing your food on cupboards that are at eye level to avoid losing track of cupboard contents
• Storing (both human and pet) food in metal and hard plastic containers that pests cannot penetrate
• Buying a strong, sturdy garbage bin with a lid that closes tightly
• Keeping your closet clean and tidy at all times
• Ensuring there’s no space around your electrical outlets, fixtures, air conditioners, pipes, and any other object that breaches your walls.

Top Tip: As soon as you move into your renovated or new home, immediately clean up any materials and clutter that might attract pests. It’s also a good idea to check in with your new neighbours to see if they have any home pest problems that you should prepare for.

Pest Prevention Requires Dedication and Constant Vigilance

Keeping pests out of your home is a challenge that all homeowners will face at some point in their lives. Thankfully, home pest prevention is readily achievable through a combination of regular maintenance, foresight, and careful planning. In the unlikely event that your pest control management plan fails, there are also several options for dealing with an infestation, provided that you catch it on time.

When planning your home, consider how structural choices can further contribute to home pest prevention. Discover more about our building practices and design options for a resilient home.