Posted on

5 Renovation Tips to Prevent Pests

Buckets of paint on the floor

What are some renovation tips to prevent pests?

  1. Consult with a pest control team
  2. Have your building treated for pests
  3. Inspect materials before using
  4. Seal pipes, holes, crevices, and cracks
  5. Clean-up clutter and moisture

 

Are you planning to remodel your building anytime soon? Aside from hiring an architect, engineer, and builder, you may want to consider getting help from a professional pest service. There are design strategies that they can suggest to eliminate and prevent pests in the long run. After all, a pest infestation, whether it is from a termite, rodent, or roach can be very costly because of the damages. To get you started, here are some renovation tips from home remodel Houston to prevent pests.

 

Consult with A Pest Control Team

The first thing you should do is hire a pest control team. Compared to the costs of renovating a building, pest services can be affordable. Before starting rebuilding your home or establishment, make sure to have it inspected first for existing pest activity. This is a good opportunity to do so because parts of your house will be removed which may disturb rodents, cockroaches, and other pests.

Set a meeting with your builders and architects to talk about plans on mitigating pests during the renovation. Include the pest control team so they can make suggestions on what materials to use and designs to avoid. They can also help you make a pest control plan for the long run.

 

Have Your Building Treated for Pests

Have Your Building Treated for Pests

Now that your building has been inspected by pest control professionals, it is a good idea to have it treated for any pest activity. This way you’ll have a clean slate to renovate. The experts from pest control ft wayne can help get rid of the pests and prevent them in the future as well.

For example, you may not know that your walls are already infested with termites. They like to eat and burrow wood from the inside so it looks normal on the outside. The last thing you know; you have hollow walls that can break at any time.

A pest control team will have several treatment plans for termites before and after a renovation. One method is lateral soil movement, where an odorless solution is mixed with the soil to create a barrier between it and the home. Termites can’t detect it, and they either die on the spot or bring the poison to their nests.

 

Inspect Materials Before Using

One way you can bring pests into your home is by using infested materials from a supply shop. Have the pest control team inspect all the materials, especially if you’re using wood. This way, you can prevent any problems in the future.

Some examples of pest-resistant materials you may want to use are heartwood, treated lumber, and composite lumber. You may also opt for concrete, bricks, and other solid materials.

It is also important to inspect materials not just when receiving them from delivery, but also before using them. Whenever people leave your site, pests could infest these materials while no one is around. A good solution is to install pest baits all around your building.

 

Seal Pipes, Holes, Crevices, And Cracks

Do you want to know where pests live? You may not see it, but they prefer hiding in dark places where no one can find them. Cockroaches can flatten themselves to fit even the smallest cracks and crevices. Aside from being their home (for window repair and other services, people can check it out here) , holes could also serve as their pathways all around the building. If you have unused sewage pipes, rats could also use this as their nest.

Whenever doing a renovation project, a good tip is to seal old pipes that will not be used. You can use steel wool, but the best way is to apply cement. Inspect for any cracks and crevices on corners, walls, and hard to reach areas and apply a filling mixture. Take note to also put screens in any entry points, and make sure that your door and window frames are fitted tightly.

 

Clean Up Clutter and Moisture

Implement the clean as you go rule when doing the renovations. Rats and cockroaches love to hide in clutter, especially cardboard, newspapers, and foams. Get rid of any leftover foods and have designated garbage disposal outside. Remember to empty it regularly and put a lid on it to prevent giving pests a free food source.

If you have leaking pipes, it is also a good idea to have them fixed within the day. Aside from food, moisture will also attract pests to live on your property.

 

Key Takeaway

Before starting the remodeling, take some time to consider applying these renovation tips to prevent pests. This way, you can get rid of existing infestations in your building and eliminate problems early on.

Renovating your home is the perfect opportunity to hire a professional pest control team like Topbest. You will remove furniture, break walls, and check the plumbing, giving you the perfect view to inspect pest activity you may not usually see. Treating it before remodeling is the best way to prevent problems in the long run.

If you’re interested in a professional pest service from Topbest, you may click here for a free inspection.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

An Insider’s Guide on How to Deal with Different Pests This Rainy Season

TopBest - How To Deal With Pests During The Rainy Season

Are you constantly being bothered by unwelcome guests in your home? No, we’re not talking about the in-laws, but those pesky pests who are turning to become more than a nuisance. These pests don’t just get to your food and property, but they can affect your health to some degree. Oh, and let’s not forget the amount of money that you’ll spend just to keep them away. Why pay pest control services that charge exorbitant amounts for termite control, when you can get them much cheaper? (wink, wink).

So whether you’re having problems with ants, cockroaches, bedbugs, or fleas, it’s important that you know the proper way to deal with pests this rainy season. Prevention is still the best way to go about any pest situation.

 

Ants

When it comes to handling ants, good housekeeping is crucial. Ants will go everywhere and anywhere in search of food and water so make sure to keep your house spin and span during the colder season. Keep all food items sealed in tight lid storage containers to stop ants from getting to them.

If you want to immediately resolve your ant problem, try spraying the ant trail with this eco friendly house cleaner solution. Just mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part water and you’re ready to eliminate that ant trail. What it does is it erases that chemical marking that encourages ants to follow the trail.

 

Cockroaches

Unlike ants, cockroaches can go on for weeks without any food or water so getting rid of these buggers can be very tricky. You can however discourage them from making your home their home by making sure your trash cans are impenetrable. Cockroaches love to breed and hide in clutter so the best you can do is be more particular with your home’s trash management. This means, taking out the trash every day, and spraying those cans with an antiseptic. It may seem like a lot of work, but trust us, it’s worth it.

 

Bedbugs

Also known as nocturnal nightmares, these pesky creatures strike when you least expect it. If you put high importance on a good night’s sleep, checking your mattress is a must! Bedbugs are very sensitive to heat so if you find any signs of infestation in your bedroom, it’s time for a thorough steam cleaning. You can also spray an eco friendly insecticide on your bed mattress, clothes and even curtains to prevent bed bugs from multiplying.

 

Fleas

If you have pets living inside your home, fleas and ticks can really suck the life out of you. Not only are they disgusting to look at, but they can also cause grave harm to your beloved pets. Aside from making sure your cats and dogs are well groomed, you can discourage a flea and tick infestation by vacuuming your home regularly. Pay close attention to dark corners and crevices where fleas and ticks are likely hiding. If you have carpets, this is the perfect time to take it to the cleaners.

Have any favourite pests that you would like to get rid of before the rain days start? Or have any tips that you would like to share on how to prevent a major infestation from happening? Let us know in the comments section below.