How to keep unwanted visitors, like mice and bugs, from coming in?
"No invitation, no visitors" is what really matters when it comes to avoiding pests. Here are the most important rules and tips:
In the Kitchen
- Limit where you eat. Make a rule that eating is only done in the kitchen and dining areas. The fewer areas that have been exposed to crumbs and food residue, the less risk of an invasion you'll have.
- Clean the floor daily. Sweep the floor daily. Missing a day may be just enough to attract some unwanted visitors to an unintended feast. Tackle any spills quickly.
- Wash dishes. Waiting to wash the dishes isn't a great idea. Even soaking dishes can be an attraction for bugs if they are left for an extended period of time.
- Clear the drain. Be sure that any slow moving drains are cleared and cleaned.
- Wipe down bottles. After a bottle or jar has been used, be sure to wipe down the outside of the bottle and the lid. Residue on your honey, syrup, oil, and peanut butter containers can attract bugs.
- Store food properly. Even more frequently used items like cereal and pastas should be in containers that are fully resealable.
- Watch out for fruits and vegetables. Ripe fresh foods will attract ants, fruit flies, and many other pests.
In the Garbage
- Clean out the recyclables. Be sure to rinse out plastic, glass, and metal containers that are being recycled.
- Clean garbage containers.
- Put the lid on your trash. Lids on trash will keep bugs out, keep smells in, and keep infestations away.