When a cockroach crawls out from a pile of clutter on an episode of the hit TV show “Hoarders,” everyone watching at home nods knowingly. We totally saw that cockroach coming, right? Because dirty homes have pests. There’s some truth to this. Dirty homes often have the makings of a pest problem.
Homes with stacks of paper products, such as cardboard boxes, books, and magazines, are a haven for pests. These collections provide shelter for pests to breed and can be food. Silverfish, small, primitive insects who get their name from their silvery light grey color and fishlike movements, are big fans of this type of environment. In the kitchen, unattended food stores left in their original containers, or unswept and unmopped kitchen floors can be a smorgasbord for pests. Cockroaches and ants love to nosh leftover crumbs and food spills. As a Texan, you’ve probably seen how quickly ants swarm at outdoor picnics and tailgates when food falls. Your home is no different.
Although unclean homes are likely to accommodate pests, they aren’t the only ones that fall subject to pest invasions. Even tidy homes can fall prey to pests. So, if you spot insects in your home, don’t take it as a commentary on your cleaning skills. Here are a few ways the little bothers can become big ones even in the neatest homes.
1. Pests seek shelter
Many of us don’t want to be outside in the harsh elements and cold weather. Neither do pests. When the weather turns, they seek shelter. And they’ll take anything they can get – including a clean home. Ants will head inside to find food sources. Spiders will follow these smaller insects inside looking for pests they can feed on. If spiders can find a food source, they’ll happily hunker down just about anywhere.
2. Pests are hitchhikers
Some pests aren’t consciously seeking your home; they’re just along for the ride. Take bedbugs, for example. They’re often brought into people’s homes on luggage, shoes, and clothing. Once they’re inside your home, they’ll quickly feed on dead skin cells that are present, and unavoidable, even in clean houses.
Pests may also enter your home as stowaways from the grocery store. As unpleasant as it is to think about, your grocery store or food supplier could have a pest control problem. Bringing goods home from the store could usher in a pest problem.
3. Pests are attracted to food
Our homes have a great deal of food in them, whether ours or our pets. Left in their original containers, bags of rice, boxes of cereal, and bags of flour can attract ants. So too can fruit and other produce left out on counters. Ants are savvy scouts; they have four to five times more odor receptors than other insects. Your pet’s food is also a beacon to pests such as ants and cockroaches looking for a free meal. If your pet’s food is left out all the time, it can attract these pests.
4. Pests find their way in
Even the cleanest homes aren’t impervious to ornery little critters. They’ll find the smallest way in, such as cracks in an exterior wall or a windowsill, a gap between the foundation and walls, or an improperly sealed dryer vent.
What Happens Once You Have Pests
With an infestation underway, it’s impossible to stop it without intervention. At this point, cleaning or tidying up won’t eliminate the problem. Roaches are prolific breeders. As you know, where one ant goes many follow. A professional company, like BrockStar Pest Services, can most effectively manage your infestation.
How to Keep Pests from Coming Back
Cleaning does help keep pests from coming back. It’s also a wise preventative measure to tidy up. Check online reviews for hotels and Airbnb accommodations when you travel to try to avoid encountering bedbugs.
Place all your food in airtight containers. Although it may require your pet to adjust to a new schedule, feed him/her on a schedule and put his/her food away when your pet isn’t eating. Their food should also be stored in a sealed container. At the grocery store, don’t buy produce that has flies buzzing around it; they may have laid eggs in it. Don’t buy food with torn packaging. Once you get the food home, store your dry goods in airtight containers and wash your produce. If you spot bugs in your groceries, dispose of it in a sealed bag and remove it from your home.
Remove any excess stacks of paper. Seal entry points can also keep pests from entering your home. Finally ongoing pest management can keep the infestation from recurring.
How BrockStar Pest Services Can Help
BrockStar Pest Services can stop an infestation in its tracks and provide a management plan to prevent pests from continuing in the future. Contact us to get started ridding your home of pests today.
