Introduction

Pests such as insects and rodents in the yard or home are often just a nuisance; however, some can damage food or possessions in your house. Simple preventive measures can stop most problems before they begin. Even when pests do get into the house, there is rarely a need to use pesticides. Simply removing their food supply and breeding sites is often the most effective control.

Steps such as managing garbage so that it attracts fewer insects and animals, cleaning up spilled food, especially pet food, and eliminating damp conditions around the house are simple deterrents. Here are some suggestions to get rid of insects and rodents with a minimal amount of risk to health and the environment. Working with a combination of the approaches presented is encouraged.

Preventive Methods

Seal Cracks

The first defence is making sure pests dont get into the house. Crawling pests enter through cracks, while flying insects come in through open doors and windows. An annual inspection of the foundation and siding to identify the cracks that need to be caulked (use good quality silicone sealant) is a good idea.

Be particularly careful to seal around exterior plumbing and electrical outlets. Make sure that door thresholds have good weather stripping under them and that doors and windows seal well. Check that screens on crawl space and attic vents are intact and sealed around the edges.

Use Screens

Window screens are excellent for keeping insects out of a house, but screen doors are less effective. Since flies and mosquitos are attracted to food odours or people, they gather outside of screen doors and then whisk inside every time the door is opened. If screen doors are used, they should have strong spring closers that shut the door quickly and tightly.

Control Lighting

Good design and careful use of exterior lighting is important to prevent insect problems. Avoid leaving porch lights on all evening. Every time the door is opened, the insects that have been attracted by the lights will be swept into the house. Minimize the attraction time by turning lights on only when needed. Sensor lights that switch on in response to motion are ideal because they light the area for arriving guests, but switch off after a few minutes.

When designing the lighting around the exterior of the home, dont put light fixtures directly above the doors. Place flood or spot lights a few feet away from doors and direct the light onto porches and stairs. This illuminates them safely, while keeping the mesmerized insects away from the door. Use yellow bulbs in yard light fixtures; flies and moths are less attracted to yellow than to white light bulbs. Due to the number of insects they attract, the placement of outdoor lights has a certain influence on where spider webs will be found.

Manage Garbage

Keep garbage in sturdy, tightly covered and regularly washed containers. This prevents flies from breeding and reduces the attraction for insects. If kitchen waste can be composted daily, the trash will contain little that is attractive to insects. Where composting is not possible, tightly wrap up kitchen garbage, take it out frequently to a covered trash can and dispose of it.

If your composting pile is not in an enclosed bin, make sure that when kitchen waste is added to it, it is not left in the open (cover it with soil, mature compost, leaves or other less attractive material). Avoid letting old clothes, newspapers and trash accumulate in storage rooms, garages and areas that are not used much, as these provide good breeding sites and hiding places for pests.

Eliminate Damp Conditions

Wet or rotting wood in the house structure or near the foundations can attract certain insects. Replace wood that has softened due to exposure to water infiltrations in a roof or a wall, for example. Wooden elements in the landscape such as flower bed borders or fence posts that are old or decaying at soil level are also prime spots for a buildup of unwelcome insect populations near your house.

Vacuum Regularly

Regular vacuuming and cleaning lessens the likelihood of pest invasions. Remember to change vacuum bags, since they can act as a breeding ground for pests.

Control Methods

Sticky Traps

Flypapers are widely available and effective at trapping flies, especially after a few have been caught on the strip.

Freezing

Many insects, particularly clothes moths and stored food pests, can be killed by sealing goods in plastic bags and placing them in the freezer for several days. This will kill most stages of the pests and will not harm fabric. While items are in the freezer or after throwing away food supplies that have been infested, thoroughly vacuum and clean storage areas such as cupboards to prevent reinfestation.

Light Traps and Ultrasonic Devices

These devices are not appropriate for homes, since they are designed for use in restaurants, dairies and industrial buildings.

Overwintering Insects in the House Structure

For insects trying to enter your home for winter shelter, the best method of preventing a pest problem is to seal up any small holes or cracks before mid to late summer, when they start looking for a way into your home. Repair or replace any damaged screens on windows and doors.

Check for any small openings around windows, doors, roof flashing, eaves and soffits, electrical outlets, and attic and dryer vents and repair them with caulking or other sealants.

Pay particular attention to the south and southwest sides of your home, which can attract more flies because they are warmer. Once in your home, it would be best to wait until they leave in the spring to seal up your home.

If All Else Fails...

If the approaches described above have been unsuccessful, you may also consider using commercially available pesticide products. Where this option is available, the use of baits containing the pesticide will limit exposure to a pesticide, compared to broad pesticide spray or dust applications.

To use any pesticide, always follow directions on the label and use the recommended personal protection equipment. Always keep pesticides in their designated containers, out of reach of children and pets, and dispose of contents and containers at your local hazardous waste depot. A last option may be to hire a licensed exterminator.