Just because the weather has cooled off doesn’t mean that all of the local pests are going to disappear. In fact, this is when many pests will come looking for a warm place to stay during the winter. Even during the coldest months of the year, a wide variety of pests could make their way into your home if you don’t have a plan in place. The problem this poses for parents, however, is how to set up pest control that is safe for children. For natural pest control, the best strategy include strong pest prevention rather than pest killing methods. Here are a few important steps to discuss with a professional.
Start by Sealing Up Entry Points
There are a few different reasons why you should spend a little bit of time sealing up the holes and cracks around your home before the cold winter months. In addition to keeping some of the unwanted pests out of your home, it is also going to improve your home’s overall energy efficiency. While it’s impossible to seal out the tiniest pests entirely, ensuring that no open holes are leading in from the outside, as well as that your doors and windows are properly fitted, is essential to keep pests from wandering in at their leisure. The easiest way to seal up most smaller cracks and pinholes is with some all-purpose caulk and a caulking gun. Check your home both from the inside and outside for holes that could lead to spaces between your walls, and make sure your windows and doors fit properly in their frames.
Don’t Provide Them With a Source of Food
Very few insects or rodents are going to linger in your home if they can’t find a consistent source of food and water. While some pests can survive on cellulose insulation and other natural materials, they are probably going to prefer any food that you leave out, making your kitchen area a prime target. Even a handful of crumbs could sustain quite a few insects for a long period, especially in the winter when they have slower metabolisms. Keep your kitchen cleared and cleaned, and make sure that crumbs and fallen cereal aren’t left to grind into the carpet where insects may be attracted to the easy access. Regular vacuuming of your living and child bedrooms will help with this.
Find Child-Safe Repellents
The big scare for parents with small children and pest control is the concern that those toxic chemicals used to kill pests may be picked up by children, especially those who spend a lot of time crawling around on the floor, picking at corners, and putting everything in their mouths. However, some chemicals are bad for pests that are perfectly safe for your children. Cinnamon and peppermint, for example, are particularly potent repellent materials, as well as white vinegar, and are great for DIY repellents. Professionals in pest control can also help you find combinations of child-safe carpet deodorizers, diatomaceous earth, and ultrasonic technology to kill and prevent pests.
Set Up a Schedule
Whether you’re trying a DIY approach or working with a professional, no one pest control method will keep pests out forever without upkeep. Repellents wear off, insulation deteriorates, and life finds a way back inside the house. Therefore, it’s important to set up a schedule to renew your repellents every 1-3 months depending on the type, and have your home regularly checked and maintained. Keep the exterior of your home maintained to prevent weed growth, junk piles, and other potential homes for pests, and keep your interior sealed tight and clean.
If there are young children in your home, then you don’t have the option of using traps and harsh pesticides. That is why it is so important to come up with a comprehensive plan that keeps unwanted pests out of your home throughout the year.