Good Housekeeping Habits Won’t Necessarily Keep Pests at Bay
Like many people, you may have always thought that pests won’t invade your home as long as you keep it neat and clean. If only it were that simple. While it’s true that some pests are drawn to less-than-sanitary conditions, many others will make themselves at home in even the tidiest of places. Therefore, you shouldn’t take an infestation as a sign that your housekeeping skills need honing.
With that being said, it’s never a bad idea to keep the premises as clean as possible. Pests like cockroaches, rodents and ants seek out places where they can easily find food, and homes that aren’t swept, vacuumed and scrubbed down regularly attract them like moths to a flame. You’ve probably seen this in action yourself. In some parts of Texas, leaving even a few crumbs on a patio will instantly attract large numbers of ants. If your home isn’t properly sealed against the elements, the same phenomenon can occur within its walls.
Even if you’re a stickler about keeping things spic and span, certain pests will still be drawn to your home. Bed bugs are a prime example. They typically hitchhike their way into people’s homes via luggage, shoes and clothing. They feed on dead skin cells and other materials that are abundant in even the cleanest homes. Spiders are the same way. They’ll happily hunker down in someone’s home regardless of how clean it is. All they want is shelter from the elements and a convenient place to find other pests to feed on.
People often take it personally when they discover pest infestations and assume that their cleaning habits aren’t up to par. Even if pests like cockroaches and ants make it into a home, it’s not necessarily because the premises are dirty. Cleaning even more vigorously isn’t going to alleviate the problem. Once an infestation is underway, the only way to put a stop to it is by contacting a pest control company.
Once the situation has been handled, continuing to keep your home clean will help keep it from recurring. However, the pest control company will give you additional tips for preventing future infestations. From sealing up entry points to eliminating standing water and other moisture-related problems, there will most likely be things you can do to prevent pest issues going forward. Take them to heart and implement them quickly to minimize the risk of infestations down the road. If another issue crops up and you live in or near Dallas, contact ABC Home & Commercial Services right away, or request a free estimate.