How To Create A Pest Free Home

As the school holidays approach, one of the things on everyone’s to do list is getting ready for Christmas “” and there is nothing like starting a New Year with a clean, pest free home!

Whether its ants getting into the sugar or cockroaches in the bathroom, pest control is a vital step for starting the coming year afresh.

To help you in your quest for a bug-free home, we have come up with a list of common pests and ways to prevent them investing!

First of all though…

The best way to control pests is to not invite them inside in the first place! Most bugs are attracted to food and water, so keeping your kitchen clean, taking out the garbage regularly, and storing food and drinks in tight containers will deter most insects, and other pests.

Removing water sources will also go a long way towards solving your bug problem, as will sealing off their point of entry.

You can also try Mortein NaturGard Auto Protect Eucalyptus, which is now in a new National Parks range. The Mortein NaturGard Auto Protect works automatically to keep the bugs outside.

The three most common pests you will find in the home is ants, cockroaches and spiders.

Ants

TIDBITS:

• Ants can lift 20 times their own body weight.

Prevention Tips:

• Rinse jars and containers before throwing away,
• Clean up food spills especially sweet liquids,
• Wipe down counters frequently,
• Remove garbage from kitchen,
• Pick up pet food from the floor and store in tight containers,
• Eliminate sources of moisture,
• Trim bushes and hedges that are near or touching your house.

Treating an Infestation

To treat ants most effectively, Mortein NaturGard Auto Protect is ideal, as it automatically keeps your home clear of pests without even having to think.

Cockroach

TIDBITS:

• Cockroaches can trigger allergies and asthma which is believed to derive from saliva, feces and body parts of cockroaches. They are known to spread 33 types of bacteria, including E.Coli and Salmonella.
• Cockroaches can live up to month without food, and a week without water. They can also live without their head for a week. EWE!
• Cockroaches are typically found in areas where they can access water. The best places to inspect for signs of a cockroach infestation including: behind kitchen appliances such as refrigerators, sinks and stoves.
• Under mats, rugs and floor drains.
• In cupboards and drawers.
• Near walls and behind loose wallpaper.
• Source (pestworld.org)

Prevention Tips

• Seal cracks and holes to eliminate entry points,
• Reduce moisture,
• Eliminate food sources,
• Vacuum, mop and keep your home clean,
• Effective clean kitchen surfaces and wash dishes immediately,
• Store food in airtight containers,
• Thoroughly inspect your home for signs of cockroaches.

Treating an Infestation

Using a NaturGard Crawling Insect Killer Eucalyptus. Inspired by Eucalyptus from Blue Mountains National Park; this subtle, fresh-smelling eucalyptus spray effectively kills cockroaches, ants and spiders fast and provides long-lasting barrier protection against cockroaches for up to 6 months. Containing more than 90 per cent natural ingredients and 0.1 per cent trusted synthetic actives, so it is tough on pests, not people.

Spiders

TIDBITS:

• Spiders live almost everywhere and can survive in many different environments.
• They usually prefer dark, undisturbed areas, and scent-free environments, but will make their home wherever their basic needs can be met. Like all living things, a spider needs food and water.
• House spiders are most often found up high in corners, in crawl spaces, basements, and garages. They are web-building spiders, meaning they wait for food to come to them rather than hunting insects.
• source (earthkind.com)

Prevention Tips

• Create a pest free home, which means spiders will not have a ready food source so they won’t want to stay.
• Blocking potential entry points.
• Making sure that window screens are intact and doors close properly with a tight seal.
• Clean up any existing cobwebs and spiders.

Treating an Infestation

A vacuum is the best way to clear any spider webs or spiders you may encounter; they can usually escape a broom. Keeping a clean house will also reduce the chances of other insects. You can also make spiders stay away by using Mortein NaturGard Crawling Insect Control Bomb.

The ultimate solution to residential pest control. Inspired by the crisp air of Mount Kosciuszko National Park, these odourless control bombs kill multiple insect types and break the cockroach breeding cycle.