What is the best way to prevent a pest infestation at home?

Pests in the home are an unnecessary stress, but an infestation is a disaster which nobody wants! Thankfully infestation can easily be prevented in the future if you follow some recommended preventive measures and tips. 

What is a Pest Infestation?

A pest infestation occurs when your home becomes overrun by one, or multiple species which damage and threaten the integrity of your home. 

Whilst an infestation is the presence of an unusually large number of insects or animals in a place, typically to cause damage or disease, most health departments consider one or more bugs or animals as a call to action, as just one cockroach can cause an asthma attack in a sensitive individual!

What Causes an Infestation?

There are multiple reasons why a common pest could invade your home, but there are four predominant categories which can be attributed to this:

• Seasonal Changes?
• Weather Changes?
• Food/Water Shortage?
• Loss of Habitat?

Where you live will ultimately determine which factor will affect you most, but seasonal and weather changes are a standard cause of the majority of pest infestations. If you live in an urban development in or around a rural area containing forests, greenery, or agricultural land, you should be aware that infestations are more common. 

The reason for this is that pests, like us, share the same basic needs (food, water and shelter). When their habitat is displaced, or if the weather changes drastically, they will search for a new place to live in order to survive… and your home might have all the requirements they are looking for.

Why is Your Home so Attractive?

Shelter

Particularly in periods of cold or wet weather, pests will seek shelter in your home. Entry points for pests may include small cracks and crevices in your foundation, around windows, or in doorways. 

The warmth of a cardboard box in an insulated attic provides the best shelter and incubator for pests to inhabit and live.

Food & Water

Pests are typically scavengers so they live the majority of the year in search of scraps and scarce food. Unlike the wilderness, your home is a storage facility for food. Mere crumbs left on the kitchen table, pet food, and dirty dishes all attract pests. Over the winter where we tend to store food, our houses are extremely attractive to hungry invaders.

Alongside food, pests are in constant search of water to survive and they love standing water. They will get water wherever they can, whether it is from tiny drips coming from your sink, water left in a food bowl, or even damp wood!

What are the signs of a pest infestation?

There are many signs which let us know a pest is living among us, but the following are the most common:

Dead Pests

If you spot a dead pest, you might have an infestation. Window ledges, attic spaces, and basements are all perfect places to discover a pest. For larger pests, you may find them under your fridge, or behind large home furniture and appliances such as wardrobes, cabinets, ovens, dishwashers, and washing machines. If you suspect you may have an infestation, check in these places!

Pest Droppings

This is standard evidence of a pest infestation. As awful as it sounds, different droppings will indicate different species so if you find them, make sure to contact an extermination company! 

Holes and Damage

Most small pests will burrow and eat away at your walls and floors. Burrows in garbage areas, in your garden, or near your home will indicate a larger potential problem. However, you may find chewed cables, small holes or chew marks within your home which are left by bugs and small animals.

Smells and Sounds

Smell can also be key in knowing if your home is under threat from an infestation. Bugs will have a sweet, musty scent whilst rats and mice will typically smell of ammonia and urine. 

Keep an ear out for sounds at night as well. Large pests may be attracted to your garbage so you may hear them. You could also hear smaller bugs and pests scratching, gnawing, or buzzing in the walls.

What are common pests that can invade my home in Quebec?

Quebec is home to many species of pests, and here are the most common which you can encounter:

• Springtails or snow fleas?
• Spiders?
• Bed Bugs?
• Brown Field Ants?
• Carpenter Ants?
• Cockroaches?
• Mice?
• Skunks?
• Moles?

Information on all these pests, and the signs of an invasion can be found here.

Tips to prevent a pest infestation 

Here are a few simple and effective ways for preventing and controlling pests from entering your home: 

A clean home is a pest-free home!

Food particles are a feast for pests so make sure to keep your home clean. Cleaning your pet’s food bowl, as well as washing dishes and utensils once used will ensure that no pests will be able to find sources of food. 

If you have left over food, make sure to cover it! Don’t leave food out in the open or pests will come and clean it up for you. Additionally, cleaning clothes, bed sheets, rugs and carpets regularly will ensure that no bed bugs, moths, or fleas will invade your home.

You should also empty and clean your bins regularly to make sure that no pest can snack on what you have thrown away. Believe it or not, your trash is a pest’s favorite food!

One pest too far!

There may come a time where the infestation is too overwhelming, or the pest too large for you to control on your own. By no means should you tackle this by yourself. VExtermination provides an incredible emergency service which is fast and efficient. 

We provide residential, commercial and agricultural services for rodent protection, wildlife control, and damage restoration to ensure your peace of mind. Whilst you may think that a pest infestation is under control, professional pest control routine check-ups are the best way to ensure your home is truly safe. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you want more information about our services!