They say that home is where the heart is. And while that sentiment may ring true, if you are not careful, home is also where pests are. Nothing spoils an idyllic day like swarms of mosquitoes or the sounds of invisible pests scurrying throughout your walls. And while there are many commercial repellents, sprays and traps in local stores to take care of these problems, these products can contain nasty chemicals and leave an unpleasant odor or residue. Worse yet, sometimes they may not even take care of the problem! According to Bo McInnis of Advantage Home Solutions in Houston, Texas, the trick to keeping your home pest-free is to be proactive and control unwanted critters before they take control of your home.
To control pests in your home, McInnis suggests starting from the outside. He installs many mosquito misting systems in the Houston area and suggests them as an effective, long-term and safe solution to pest control in your yard and beyond. These systems automatically spray a very fine mist of insecticides around the perimeter of your yard through a series of nozzles installed on your property.
While purchasing one of these systems can drastically cut down on the number of pests in your yard, McInnis says it is important to make sure that your contractor installs them properly for them to truly be effective. Make certain that your contractor does not install too many nozzles, since this will waste chemicals and be less effective. The nozzles should be concentrated on mosquito-active areas like dense foliage and bushes.
You should also check your property for any standing water and leaking faucets or taps. Remove any items that are lying around that could hold water like tires or old containers. After every rain storm, or after you run your sprinklers, be sure to empty any birdbaths, potted plants or lawn decorations that could hold water. Also, prevent pests from entering your home by repairing holes in windows or door screens and inspecting your property on a regular basis.
Maintaining your gutters is another way to keep your home pest-free. With the heat and rain that characterizes the Houston area, it is especially important to keep your gutters clean due so that they don’t become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other insects. Debris-filled gutters do not work properly, and once the clutter starts building up, the gutter can cause the wood on your roof and siding to warp and pull away from the home. This damage to your roof and siding leads to breaks in the wood and foundation that allow pests and rodents to infest your home. “Clear out your gutter after every rainfall, especially if it’s one of the big storms that are common in Houston,” says McInnis. “It’ll help keep your home in tip-top shape.”
By keeping your gutters clean and installing a mosquito misting system, you can prevent pests from invading your property. Best of all, you’ll be protecting your family’s health and ensuring a comfortable lifestyle in Houston.