Pest infestations in one’s home can be a source of embarrassment due to the social stigma that usually goes with them and evidence of them is usually apparent not only to homeowners but also visitors. Mice for example leave their droppings here and there and even sometimes make appearances at social gatherings, particularly when food is involved. When it comes to mice control, Brisbane is well served by a number of pest control companies, which can be called on to deal with the problem rapidly and with discretion, using products that are non-toxic to humans and pets. There’s also usually a guarantee for up to a year, but who’s to say that the critters won’t return after the guarantee has expired.
Prevention is better than cure
There are a number of relatively simple approaches that householders can adopt to minimise the possibility of infestations.
Rodents can pass through very narrow gaps due to their long, thin bodies and lack of a collarbone. The golden rule is that if its head can pass through a gap, the rest of the body can too. Check any possible points of entry such as holes where utilities enter the home and plug them with a combination of wire wool and caulking. Ensure that ducts and chimneys are securely screened. These measures will prevent not only rodents but also insects from getting into the house.
Another measure to ensure insects cannot enter your home is to install screen doors and windows and ensure that window surrounds are well sealed and that any ventilation slots are also securely screened.
Pests need food and water so do not feed them. Store food in airtight containers and dispose of food scraps promptly and in bins that are securely closed and not located too near to the home. Check regularly for and eliminate all sources of moisture such as leaking pipes and clogged drains. They provide pests with perfect breeding sites.
A note of caution if you are buying a house
Pest infestations are not always noticed by the untrained eye. Having a property inspected by an expert can avoid what could turn out to be a very costly mistake.
Getting pests that get into your home out of it
At the end of the day no matter how diligent you are, some pests may get into your home so you will need ways of striking back at them. Extreme measures that can be taken before calling in the pest controllers include the use of traps or poisons for rodents and insecticide sprays, coils or baits for insects. The use of these requires consideration for the welfare of any children or pets in the household and of the offensive smell from a rodent that has died in some inaccessible space. Softer options that may help are the use of essential oils such as citronella for mosquitoes and peppermint for spiders or ultrasonic pest repellers that emit sounds at frequencies that can be heard by their targets but not by humans.
Stay safe
Should you decide to go for the extreme approach of ridding your home of insect pests with insecticides you would be well advised to observe these safety measures published by the Queensland Government in order to avoid doing any harm to yourself or other members of your household.