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How to Keep Rats Away from Your House

How to Keep Rats Away from Your House

How can you keep rats away from your house?

  1. Use peppermint oil
  2. Place onions in different parts of the house
  3. Spread chili peppers
  4. Seal entry points

 

Being mammals, rodents, rats, and mice thrive in warm environments. This is why during the rainy season, they’re often found dwelling indoors in order to keep warm and forage for food. As destructive as they are, homeowners need to understand how to keep rats away from the house in order to protect the occupants and the structure itself from their wrath.

All homeowners understand that nothing is as unsightly and unsanitary as spotting a vermin scurrying across the floor. However, the concern goes beyond just that. Rats are known to be carriers of certain diseases like salmonella, hemorrhagic fever, leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, and the like. These pests will typically chew through food sources such as scraps, boxes, bags, poultry, fresh produce, and many more. They will oftentimes leave a trail of droppings, contaminating every surface they pass on.

A combination of effective rat control strategies and home remedies is critical to ensuring a rodent-free home. The key is to focus on eliminating potential sources of rat infestations and tactically using available materials and resources to get rid of them. Read on.

 

Use Peppermint Oil

Rats’ sense of smell is highly sensitive, meaning they are averse to strong scents and pungent odors. This is what makes scents like peppermint oils effective at driving them away from different parts of the home. Unlike rat traps or rodenticides, peppermint oils are natural and chemical-free. They don’t contain toxic ingredients harmful to the body. In fact, many health experts have suggested the use of peppermint oil for a number of digestive issues, aside from being effective anti-rat treatments.

To use peppermint oils as an anti-rodent remedy, you can simply pour a small amount of it in different locations, such as attics, roofing systems, entryways, openings, holes, windows, vents, or any space they can fit in. Keep in mind that the scent from a peppermint oil drop tends to dissipate quickly, so you’ll want to place drops again from time to time.

Another alternative is to put a few drops of peppermint oil on cotton balls. Similar to what you would do for mothballs, have these placed around every nook and cranny and repeat every few days for optimal results.

 

Place Onions in Different Parts of the House

Place Onions in Different Parts of the House

While rats and other vermin like to feed on food scraps, they’re not particularly fond of the pungent odor given off by onions. If you don’t want to spend too much money on other treatment products, onions are readily available natural produce that you can use instead.

Rats are discouraged to settle or burrow especially in the presence of these strong odors. Just half a slice of onion placed in openings and inhabited areas are already enough to deter them away from the house.

Not everyone, however, will want their home to smell like these vegetables, which is why they may prefer to dilute the smell by placing the onions in plastic containers with holes punched through them. Another concern is that when consumed, the onions may be toxic to some household pets. Make sure that you take the necessary safety measures to avoid accidents like this.

 

Spread Chili Peppers

Like onions, chili peppers are also a natural home remedy against these house pests. Rats in particular are repelled against any seasoning that contains capsicum. This is due to the potent smell that’s both painful to them when consumed and irritating to their respiratory systems.

Place a few red chili peppers around the house, preferably in combination with other remedies, such as onion slices or peppermint oils. Similarly, heed caution when spreading these vegetables — indoor household pets may inadvertently eat them, leading to health issues. Note that if you’re conducting rat control that day, keep pets or toddlers away from these areas and direct them to a safe location.

 

Seal Entry Points

Seal Entry Points

As mentioned before, the main point of entry of rats to your home is found in the cracks and crevices. Whether they’ve been there by design or accidentally, you have to seal every single one you find in order to get rid of the rats in the first place.

Holes can be found in various areas, such as the kitchen, around pipes, sinks, washing machines, dryer vents, attics, basements, or crawl spaces. Fill the holes by applying a patch of steel wool or a wire mesh with fine openings. Keep them in place using a caulk gun. For much larger holes, you may also have them sealed with cement, cloth, or a sturdy metal sheet.

 

Key Takeaway

Wondering how to keep rats away from your house? You can use the four simple strategies above for a rat-free living space. Be mindful of the different odors that also act as rat repellents. Some examples include peppermint oils, onions, and chili peppers. Place these around entryways and other spaces where these creatures may fit to get the desired outcome. Better yet, have these holes blocked or sealed off so that these pests aren’t given a chance to enter in the first place.

Tried everything but still struggling with a rodent infestation? You may want to keep in touch with our local pest control experts from Topbest! Our rat control techniques focus on safe, preventative methods to get rid of rats in your homes forever. Click here to avail of a free consultation!

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What Attracts Cockroaches in Homes

Dead cockroach on floor

What attracts cockroaches in homes?

  1. Exposed Food
  2. Water Source
  3. Exposed Trash
  4. Warm and Dark Environments

 

Pests are an annoyance when they proliferate in your home. They damage property and infect your food and water with germs and diseases. This is why pest control in the Philippines can often be essential.

There’s nothing more hair-raising than seeing cockroaches invading your kitchen. An appearance of one flying cockroach can make even the manliest of men to scream loud and run away. These bugs are persistent and hard to catch sometimes. They are fast and can climb walls and furniture to quickly hide. Even a clean home can suffer from a cockroach infestation. So how do we know what can attract cockroaches in homes? Want to prevent those pesky pests in your home? Read on to learn more.

 

Exposed Food

Dead cockroach on floor

Just like rats, cockroaches like to eat. Your home is the perfect place for them to live. Dirty homes are especially these pest’s favorites. For them, it is a paradise that can be called home. You have stocks of food in your pantry or exposed food on your tables. Opened packages of food can attract a cockroach to your home. If you have leftovers in your kitchen, it would be best to cover it with a lid.

This also goes for food preparation. Often, we get lazy to clean up the mess after the food is cooked. The leftover crumbs in the table and the sink, if left unsupervised, can attract cockroaches.

Keep your home tidy and free from leftover food products. Put leftovers in airtight containers so cockroaches wouldn’t be able to detect it. Be sure to clean surfaces with food and do not forget about hard to reach areas. Cockroaches are small and would be able to reach these. Remember, even animal feed can attract them.

 

Water Source

Cockroaches are attracted to damp places. They can survive for 3 months without food, but only a week without water. Be especially observant of places in your home that has moisture. Always wipe any leftover moisture in your kitchen counters, cabinets, and floors. Fix leaky pipes and faucets, especially hidden ones inside cabinets and underneath the sinks. Don’t let water stand for too long in containers such as pet bowls. Objects that keep moisture also attract these pests. Keep bath towels, mats, and kitchen sponges dry. Investing in a dehumidifier can help you get rid of extra moisture in your home.

 

Exposed Trash

Roaches lie dead on wooden floor, Dead cockroach ,Close up face

Exposed garbage containers can also be ravaged by these pests. They love the foul smell of the garbage and are attracted to it. Aim to take your trash out regularly and keep the garbage container closed at all times. Don’t let it become full or overflow. Imagine seeing an overflown garbage container in your kitchen become infested by cockroaches. Before throwing food containers into the trash, rinse them first to remove the food that can attract cockroaches.

 

Warm and Dark Environments

Cockroaches also seek shelter in your home. They like warm and dark environments such as inside cabinets and under your sink. This is what makes them so hard to find. They like to hide in cracks and crevices in your walls, floors, and even furniture. Seal these holes to keep cockroaches from settling.

They also like objects that can be marked with their pheromones. These pheromones are like a GPS application that can tell other cockroaches their location. These objects include cardboard and wood. Make sure to clean up clutter in your home as these can attract pests and make these objects their shelter!

 

Key Takeaway

Cockroaches are not a beautiful sight to see unless you love pests. And even so, these pests are not good for your home. They can proliferate, lay eggs, and infect your food and water with germs.

They are hard to find because they like dark environments such as cracks and crevices in walls, floors, and furniture. They also like to hide in clutter. When you see them, they are most likely to be out in the open and are attracted to exposed food on the counter or in the trash. Observe sources of moisture too, because even wet towels and sponges can make them stay in your home.

Now that you know what can attract cockroaches in homes, you need to make the effort to avoid making these mistakes. Overall, you need to keep your home tidy. Clean regularly and avoid having clutter and exposed trash for a prolonged time. If you want to eliminate these pests for good, then a professional team of pest control in the Philippines can help you solve your problem. Contact Topbest Pest Services today for a free inspection!

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How to Protect your Valuables from Pests

How to Protect your Valuables from Pests

How do you protect your valuables from pests?

  1. Pick the right location – picking out the right location in your home would make sure that pests would have a difficult time going to it.
  2. Look for the right storage container – Picking the right storage container would prevent pests from damaging your valuables
  3. Install Traps – Traps are a great way to eliminate unwanted pests, and make them avoid important areas of your home.
  4. Keep the area clean – Making sure your area is tidy and neat ensures that you would not attract pests.
  5. Check the temperature of the area – Knowing the temperature and humidity of your storage area is important, as it will determine what kind of pests you might attract.

 

When it comes to pest control in your home, one of your major concerns would be protecting important items in your house from being infested. The goal of pest control is to be able to protect your home from unwanted pests – to make sure that all of your valuable items at home are safe.

There are different kinds of pests that can invade your home and can damage your valuables. To ensure that all your important items are safe from these critters, here are some tips and pointers that can help you:

Pick the right location

Pick the right location

The first step when it comes to protecting your valuables from pests is to find the right place in your home to store them. It would be best if you can find a location that is secure and can hardly be reached by any pests. You must look for areas inside your abode that will not attract infestation problems in the future. For example, avoid dark, damp, and wooden areas since they can very much attract all sorts of insects to them.

Look for the right storage container

Look for the right storage container

This is perhaps the most important tip on this list – finding the right container for you to keep all your valuables. It is important to remember that getting just about any kind of container will not do you any good.

In order to keep pests away from your stuff, you have to store and protect them in a metal container. This is the best solution, as they tend to be airtight storages. These things can especially lock your valuable away from insects such as, ants and termites. Their strong exterior also has the ability to deter big pests like rodents from biting or destroying them altogether.

With this in mind, it is not recommended to use containers made from materials like plastic and wood. Plastic can be damaged by persistent rodents, while termites would feast on wooden containers, eventually damaging the items inside.

Also, depending on the items stored, there are different kinds of containers to choose from. For important papers, books, pictures, and documents, having a file cabinet is the way to go. For items like money, jewelry, weapons, and sentimental items, buying a safe would be best to protect your items from pests and other elements.

Install traps

Install traps

Other than finding the right storage containers, it is important to make sure that pests do not go very near your valuables. With this in mind, setting up traps for different kinds of pests would give you optimal protection. Different kinds of pests require different kinds of traps, so some of them would not be able to capture specific types of pests.

For rodents, it is best to use traps that would ensnare and capture them. For termites, using safe chemical traps would ensure that your home would be protected from major infestations. These traps tend to attract termites to a chemical solution that would slowly kill them. For mosquitoes, using mosquito traps and nets would protect your items from harm. For cockroaches and flies, using fly traps would be ideal, especially if you want to capture a good number of these insects.

Keep the area clean

Keep the area clean

To prevent pests from trying to invade your storage area in the first place, keeping it clean is one of the simplest and most efficient measures to use. If you do tend to clean all the nooks and crannies in your house, then be sure to avoid placing items that can attract certain critters. Take note that pests have a tendency to roam around dirty areas more than clean ones.

Check the temperature of the area

Check the temperature of the area

Finally, one of the most important factors to consider when picking the right storage area is the temperature around it. Some pests tend to be more active during certain seasons. Ants, termites, and mosquitoes are more likely to invade homes during the rainy season. With this in mind, it is best to keep storage areas clean and free from leaks and other holes and crevices in which pests can go into.

Key Takeaway

Storing your most important and precious valuables is a big task. This is why you must make sure that they stay away from all kinds of pests, and you can easily do this by following the tips listed above.

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5 Things That Attract Pests to Your Home

rats around a house

In the Philippines, pest control remains an active issue. While infestations no longer happen as often as they used to, taking steps in preventing them from doing so should still be something all responsible homeowners must do.

While there could be numerous unique factors that could contribute to each infestation, there are also common household practices that may attract pests all the more.

cluttered building blocks

Cluttered and stacked items

Most of the time home clutter is a part of everyday living. After all, people can’t help it if they want to keep items at home. Just make sure that it is stored in an organized and sustainable manner – that is, items are stacked cleanly, they are maintained every now and then, and they are not surrounded by easily biodegradable items such as paper or cardboard.

Roaches, rats, ants, and other critters love to burrow in the nooks and crannies of stuffed items, so take care to ensure that they don’t do so by spacing out your stored goodies and dusting them off every once in a while. Haphazardly piled items are a strict no-go if you want to keep your house pest-free.

Improper containment of garbage

Garbage in itself is already unappealing – it’s smelly, it’s disorganized, and most of all, it’s downright dirty. All traits that repel the common man but attract the common pest. That said, keep your garbage well. Here are some tips:

  • Use sealed bags before disposing of your trash outside for collection. This will keep it from spilling out onto the ground, creating more of a mess.
  • Keep your garbage in lidded containers whenever possible, especially when indoors. It will deny flies access to it.
  • Dispose of organic trash as soon as you can. Do not keep it indoors for more than a day. (You can also compost some of it if you have a garden.)
  • Lightly wash and segregate plastics or glass before throwing them away.
  • Have lidded/closed outdoor trash cans. It will prevent the surrounding are from smelling crummy while also keeping it out of reach of stray dogs or cats.

stagnant water and a small plant

Retaining stagnant water

Just like humans, common pests also require the presence of water. Needless to say, an abundance of it, stagnant and unmoving, is a direct invite for all nearby insects to come and live with you. This is true especially for insects because stagnant water is their favourite breeding ground.

Thankfully, the solution is simple – change your water often. That, or keep your home reasonably dry whenever possible.

Open doors and windows

Keeping your home’s interior safe from outdoor threats such as pests is as easy as closing your doors and windows. If there is a need to keep them open, though, try installing screens instead. That way, the house remains ventilated without the potential problem of letting outdoor critters in.

Tiny nooks and crannies

Small, open places are the perfect hiding place for pests. Keep from building them these homes by always making sure that items are placed well. Also check for structural dents such as cracks and whatnot; stuff little holes where they could possibly burrow in. Old walls and aging furniture are prime suspects – if you have any of these, regularly inspect them!

With the aforementioned tips, it may seem like home pest control takes a lot of effort But the truth is that so long as your environment is clean and well-maintained, you won’t have to worry about infestations any time soon.

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The Royal Colony: Attending to the Termite Queen

termites-34672_1280

The Termite Queen is a pulsating membrane that pumps out tiny little termite eggs every three seconds.  In an average lifetime of 15 years, the Termite Queen produces as much as 164,250,000 eggs.  Termites are feisty little critters that eat out dry wood and timbre.  In cases where termite control is necessary, termites cause rapid devastation in a home or an area since they feed on dead and decomposing plant matter and cellulose.

The Termite Queen was once a young, fertile female termite called an alate that emerged out of her birth-mound.  She has wings to fly for a bit, but then proceeds to shed them and begins to wander around in search of her future King.  Once she finds her mate, they marry and begin to produce worker termites in order to prepare their soon-to-be colony.  The Termite Queen’s egg-laying organ called the ovipositor starts to expand once she starts producing termite eggs, forcing her body to elongate while her head remains the same.  She is rendered immobile, and her children become responsible for attending to her needs.

The termite colony is built by sterile worker termites, making sure to provide ventilation throughout the nest.  At the heart of the termite nest resides the Termite Queen’s royal chamber.  Here she is tended by her sterile children, all of whom are responsible for feeding her, grooming her, licking her clean, and carrying all her little termite eggs back to the cells in order to be properly cared for until they hatch into fragile nymphs.  The Termite Queen mates for life and while she produces sterile termites, at a certain time in her life she will also produce fertile females and males that will carry out their termite legacy in another part of the ecosystem.  Pheromones produced by the Termite Queen prevent the colony from becoming fertile, instead regulating fertility to a select few.  In the event that the Queen is absent, her King will start producing his own pheromones to encourage the development of one of the replacement Termite Queens.  Replacement, supplementary, fertile alates are underdeveloped, and will only mature when one of the primary reproductive – the King and Queen – dies or are separated from the colony.

All About the Queen

The Termite Queen has a long life span.  She can live up to 50 years, the longest for any insect.  The Termite Queen lives for an average of 15 to 20 years.  Her Royal Majesty may have a long life, but she can also become so old that she stops producing eggs.  Instead of licking her profusely sweating body, her sterile termite workers will start eating her alive, digesting her nutritious juices in order to prepare for the next event.  Once the Termite Queen dies, her whole colony will fall apart.  It’s up to her fertile daughters to go forth and continue their royal line.

When our homes are infested by termites and we see the pressing need for termite control, we hardly think about the lives of the little creatures that are wreaking havoc on our harmony.  The Termite Queen is only one part of a whole ecosystem that helps the environment through the continuing cycle of life and death that all living things experience, one that we share with these little creatures.

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6 Telltale Signs of a Termite Infestation

termite line

Termites house their colonies within the wood on which they feed. While they eat the wood, these creatures burrow mazes of tunnels and chambers within the walls and furniture. They also leave small piles of feces that resemble pellets where they eat or nest. Termites cause floors, walls and ceilings to sag and they leave behind areas that looked like they were damaged by water. It’s why it is important to call pest control if you see or feel that the damage in your house was caused by termites. Here are 6 signs that there is definitely a termite colony residing in your house:

  • There is mud-like material that lines walls in an irregular pattern. This happens because termites excavate the wood, leaving a thin layer. And when the layer is broken, they will cover the holes with mud-like material, which is a mixture of soil, feces and saliva.
  • You may also notice the appearance of a swarm, which people sometimes call “flying ants”, especially near light sources. This can indicate that a nest is near. This swarm often consists of adult males and females that leave their current nest to establish a new colony. Swarming usually occurs when a colony reaches a certain size and is most common when the weather is warm.
  • The swarming termites usually emerge during the day, more frequently on days after the rain. They are usually found outdoors near tree stumps, railroad ties or anywhere with a nearby light source. If you find a swarm inside your home, then that means you have an infestation within your house.
  • When inspecting your home, you may find mud tunnels. These are often made by subterranean termites, who build these mud tubes, which are roughly the size of a pencil. These tunnels often contain broken mud particles combined with fecal materials. Absence of termites in the tunnels doesn’t indicate they are gone for good so be careful. You can break open these tubes to determine if the termites are still active inside. Termites also rebuild damaged or old tubes since they are usually dry and crumble easily.
  • You may also find piles of wings on the ground or on the floor, which indicate that the swarming termites finally entered the next phase of their development.
  • You’ll also find your paint job buckling and there are tiny holes on the wood. The wood may also appear crushed at structural bearing points. Damaged wood resonates with a dull thud when tapped with a hammer. If you pick and probe the surface a piece of wood that you suspect is infected by termites, you will be able to find tunnels running parallel to the wood’s grain.

If you find termites in your house, that does not mean you have an immediate emergency. The rate of the damage occurs relatively slowly. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be cautious. Regularly check for pests and termites around where you are to ensure a pest free abode.

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3 Ways to Keep Bugs Out of Your Bedroom

Alright. So you stumble upon a few roaches here and there, and sometimes you even catch a teeny tiny rat nose coming out a hole somewhere and some there. But that may not already mean that you have a pest problem—at home. You know you’re really in for it, when you have to seek help from termite control for a seemingly decaying beam on the ceiling, or worse, when you have to call for backup because your bedroom’s being invaded.

Seriously? Pests in the bedroom? Ain’t nobody got time fo dat! Who wants to sleep when chances are, bugs will feast on one’s blood and flesh the moment one closes one’s eyes? And since your bedroom is your most private and most comfortable space in the home, you cannot let any other being invade it.

Heck, it’s even your favorite room! To keep this from happening, follow these three easy steps.

No eating in the bedroom

eating in bed

This is one of the most important rules you have to remember. Bugs’ senses are hardwired to detect sugars and other tasty substances, if you don’t know. Plus, you have to think they love food like you do, so you must not lead them to where it is.

That being said, you have to make sure that your room stays a no-food zone. You may not help it at times, especially since you think that you will not leave crumbs at all, but you can never be sure, really; crumbs are little things, too. Better clean your room regularly, or resist the temptation totally.

Sure, eat in your room. The next thing you know, you’re sleeping among the bugs.

Screen your windows

screen

Your bugs may not be big as bears, but if you want them out of your bedroom, you still have to shut your windows to them. But then again, if you’re someone who loves the fresh air of the outdoors so much, why would you keep away from it?

For the best of both worlds, meaning “bugs away, fresh air hey,” then have screens installed. This is your best shot at repelling mosquitoes, grasshoppers, and the like, if you’re not a huge fan. And good news is, you can keep those windows fully open throughout the night. However, if your windows are old and worn out, it may be time to consider window replacement. This is why it is better to replace your old windows with new ones, giving you the best of both worlds: a bug-free and well-ventilated home.

Once again, remember: the best way to screen what goes in your window is to screen—literally.

Prevent the invasion

termite inspection

Because you live in your room and don’t need to check it, you’re may be 70% sure you don’t have bugs. Now because you haven’t really stumbled upon one in all your days there, that’s 75%, and with your nights, now it’s a good 80%. But since you haven’t asked for the opinion of a professional inspector, well that just brings you down to 50% sure. You agree, don’t you?

Since you’re not sure that you can trust your expertise—as a Fine Arts major—you can’t any chances. You have to go and look for an expert to check your room, and to check the places you don’t feel like or think of checking. Experts can get into the heads of bugs, so they are your best bet at inspecting your room.

And because you went for inspection, you prevent the invasion.

Your sanctuary has to always stay as pristine as would be in your dreams. And unless those dreams welcome bugs, there’s no reason for you to keep them in your bedroom. When all else fails, don’t forget to call your local termite control!

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Storm Prepping: 6 Must-haves In Your Survival Kit

Surivivalkit

The Philippines is known to have only two seasons. Yes, two. But don’t let the number fool you. The lack of another two seasons, to make the four other countries have, only means that our only two can go to the extremes. So in our country, when it shines, we’re usually cooked, and when it rains, you know we’re safest only on top of our roofs—ironically.

Seasons. It’s more fun in the Philippines.

Storms are one of the natural hazards that lead to disasters. Whether it’s to injuries or to deaths, disasters lead to losses. And no living individual on the earth wants that. Which is why in the season of storms, we get ready. And a smart prepper doesn’t only prepare for doom by pests—you know, by having pest control services in his speed dial—but also assures he can survive any storm.

Your basics for everyday are your basics for survival. So let’s review what they are, shall we?

Water

Wow, you didn’t roll your eyes, thinking “Seriously? It’s flooding everywhere and I still need water?” You didn’t, clever citizen, because you know that water is one of the essentials in a living being’s survival—and that I meant clean water. This is your priority because you need it for drinking, cleaning your body, and flushing the toilet. Plus, only three days without water and you’re as gone as the storm that came.

Food

Need it be explained? Food brings your body nutrients; with nutrients, you can function properly; and with you functioning properly, you may survive the storm. Have well-packed, non-perishable goods always in the home for emergencies. Canned goods (with can opener), energy bars, cereals, and crackers—no-cook food—make up your ideal diet during emergencies. Also remember that salty leads to thirsty, so better avoid salty goods.

Shelter

If you don’t have your own boat or raft, it may be good to at least live somewhere with a height advantage. An elevated land or a house with a second floor is good, and both is especially better. So before choosing a home, make sure to survey that the area isn’t usually flooded. But if you are among those already living in flood-feasted areas, then evacuate somewhere safer before the storm hits. Somewhere you’ll be staying dry and away from illnesses that filthy floodwater carries is the best place to be.

disaster comic

Clothing and Sanitation Items

Just because there’s a disastrous storm doesn’t mean you have a free pass not to shower or brush your teeth now, alright? And it also doesn’t mean you shower in the rain! Maintaining proper hygiene even in calamities means that we keep away from bacteria that may cause diseases, with the perk of smelling good. You’re lucky if you have water supply during the storm but for those without, there’s no shame in doing it the way of some Hollywood celebrities: wet-wiping. You even have more reason to do it than they do.

First Aid

Since anything can happen in a calamity, and you may not be able to swim through the roads, it’s especially necessary to have first aid in the home. This is of course your band-aids, gauzes, medicines, and cleaning solutions. Also a plus to have are your ointments for the treatment and protection against bug bites. Prevention is always top of the file when it comes to cuts and illnesses, but there are also things that we cannot control—as we’ve learned in the Final Destination franchise. A branch may snap off from a massive tree outside and hit your window, which breaks then—boom! You hit your head on the wall. What you need now is first aid.

Light

Another thing not in our control: power outages. So how better to deal with it than to complain: beat it, with light. Stock candles in your home, even up the game with scented or aromatherapy candles and fun candle holders. Of course flashlights and emergency lights have also been invented; you can also go for those. Just make sure that you’ve recharged them up to full, and that you have extra batteries. Now if those aren’t enough, just crank up the generator and your home’s alive once more.

If you’re worrying about another storm hitting, it may be because you’re not ready. Give prepping a shot, and in the next storm, you’ll be helping yourself and maybe even your neighbors.

 

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The Usual Places: 4 Places You Should Watch Out For Termite Infestation

Termite King

Just like humans, termites love to hang out! And of course, they will choose your home as their favorite place to chill. Why not? It’s an all in one facility for them: shelter, a food source, and a water spring. Living inside your home is really a practical move for those termites.

In nature, termites feed on fallen trees, old tree roots and other cellulose food source healthy enough for them. But once they got inside your house, they’re IN – forever. Unless an effective and efficient termite control does the magic.

To achieve an effective and efficient termite control method which will safeguard your house from those nasty pests, consider checking the following areas:

Outside

Don’t leave those woodpiles on the ground. Keep them away from your house as well as those dead trees and twigs. Termites can easily move from those woods to your home if you are not careful enough.

Aside from that, overflowing gutters and downspouts outside your home can cause excessive water near the foundation. You know very well how water always means moisture. Oh, how termites love moisture! It allows them to chew the wood easier like gnawing on a soft chocolate cookie.

The best way to minimize the chances of termite infestation is by reducing excessive moisture in your home. Clean your gutters to have a clean, termite-free home.

In the Attic

Are you keeping your attic dusty and old? That’s good – for the termites. The attic is typically framed with woods, so it’s an ideal place where termites can build their colonies. Make your attic more than an attic by remodeling it into a game room or even a reading nook. The fun you’ll have inside this cozy, small space is limitless. So don’t just feed it to termites.

If you don’t have an attic, check your storage room or the basement. Basically any room you leave dusty and old and of course, with some woods.

In the Utility Pipes

You know how they work. Termites damage structural materials. Each year hundreds of thousands of structures require treatment for the management of termites, including utility structures like pipes.

Utility pipes that run through a foundation wall or floor are prone to termite access. You know the next thing after a leaking plumbing pipe – moisture in your home. Again, moisture in woods is the greatest attraction for termites. Check your air conditioning pipes, gas and electric services for termite infestation or wood decay.

Do you check these areas regularly? Or do you wait until the infestation is so blatantly obvious before springing into action? Let us know in the comments section below!

All over your House

Termites can wreak havoc for a long time before they get discovered. The trick is to be mindful of all the wooden materials in your house. Get those woods treated, or paint them to prevent termite infestation.

Infestations are commonly found in earth-to-wood contact house part like the fence and stair carriages. Another part to probe are the porches, doors, window panes, and even hardwood flooring. You should also observe roof eaves and guttering for defects that causes leakage and wood rot.

Outside, inspect shrubs or trees closely planted to your home. You don’t want those greeneries to be a direct way for termites to your home.

Home is where the heart is. And if your home is filled with termites, who knows what’s in your heart? Nah, we’re just kidding. But do take good care of your home (as well as your heart) or termites will gladly love it for you.

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4 Hazards of DIY Pest Control

TopBest - 4 Hazards Of DIY Pest Control

You wake up with a smile. Nothing can ruin this day, you say to yourself as you twirl around in the front of the mirror. The aroma of your coffee agrees. The scent of the breeze agrees. The fragrance of your flowers agrees. Everything is set in place for a wonderful day.

Except that when you step out of your bed, you notice tiny, black spots on its frame. Then, some holes. And the horror sinks in. Your bed, and probably the house too, have been infested by termites! In frustration, you grab that can of termite control spray and – woosh woosh.

But did that really solve the problem? The following hazards of DIY pest control will tell you.

You may not really be able to spray on your target pests.

Honestly speaking.

Make sure first that the pest is properly identified. Is it a termite infestation? Or an ant? Perhaps, a bedbug? Cockroach? Rats? Whatever. The point is you need to identify them because different pests require different control measures.
If you are not able to identify them, then you are trying to control the wrong kind of organisms. Or worse, you are just spraying chemicals around your house.

You may not really be able to follow the product label.

I’m not kidding.

Majority of misapplications reported are performed by homeowners or renters, not pest control operators. And no, it does not in any level mean that you were not able to understand the label. It’s just that when you are panicking due to sight of pests, who has time to read the product label? Chances are you will just spray around at your own satisfaction.

If you don’t follow the label exactly, expect the unexpected. But if you did, how sure are you that you were able to kill your target pests? Or do we have to repeat the first reminder?

You may not really be able to ensure safety.

Okay, we got it. Your DIY pest control is a must for the safety of yourself, and your family. Of course, you did it to protect your investment in that house. But safety is another issue in DIY pest control. Aside from the danger they pose when used improperly, pest extermination products aren’t something to play around with. It’s not perfume or paint that you will enjoy spraying.

Seriously, one mistake is costly. And we are not exaggerating to say that you’re putting into jeopardy the health of everyone in your home unless you got training, knowledge and experience in using pesticides.

You may not really be able to save money.

As we said earlier, one mistake is costly.

We know what you are thinking. You go for DIY pest control to save money like the one that can be acquired on 겜블시티. We perfectly understand that. But what if you were not able to target the exact pests responsible for your house infestation?

You sit there enjoying the serenity of a supposedly pest-free home, thinking about the bright future ahead of you after you thought you eradicated the worst annoyance in your home. Then weeks after, your bed frame falls apart. Then, your cabinet. You go to the kitchen to get that termite control product you just bought some time ago. But then you see the cupboard… and you realize, it’s too late.

Your effort is in vain. So is your time. And your money.

So there. Will you risk everything or will you go for trained, knowledgeable experts who know how to track down the pests, uses superior extermination products, and will not put you and your household in danger? It depends on you.