Here are 22 of the best pest control tips if you are trying to keep your Australian home entirely free of critters, however, it is almost as impossible as keeping your body completely germ-free. You can do your best to stay clean and sanitise your hands after every encounter, however, there will always be some lurking around, under the floorboards, and out of sight.
Of course, provided that you clean yourself regularly, the germ problem isn’t going to become noticeable enough to make you feel sick or terribly unclean, so you’ll be alright. The same applies for critters in the home. There is much that you can do to keep them at bay, though to assume that there won’t be at least one insect in your home will be a little naïve.
That’s not to try and spook you out, it’s just a reality. Under the floorboards, in the attic and behind the walls, there will always be some tiny, harmless critters lurking around. But it’s the ants, the cockroaches, and the rats who can invade our comfort en-masse, that you should be worried about.
In that light, we’re going to share with you a tonne of simple (yet effective) pest control tips that you can adopt which will work significantly well towards keeping those critters at bay. We’re going to focus on all areas of the home, including your kitchen, the home itself, and indeed outside in the garden! Here’s how to control pests in your home in Australia:
Pest Control Tip 1 – Fill in the Cracks and the Gaps
There are loads of little doorways leading into your home, scattered around. Window frames, doors, skirting, your brick exteriors, plumbing and wiring entrances through the wall and so on. All of these tiny gaps might seem too small for entry to you, but to a little critter, it’s an open invitation. If you spend a bit of time going around the house and appropriately filling in all of these gaps, you’ll be able to significantly keep the influx of unwanted visitors down—this is one of the most effective rodent control tips.
the termite control
Pest Control Tip 2 – De-Clutter Your Home!
Critters love clutter, it’s as simple as that. The more clutter you have around the home, the more likely you are going to be creating a paradise for all of the critters that you loathe so much. Clean and dust your home regularly, wipe up excess food and crumbs in the kitchen and hoover thoroughly. If you don’t like the sound of that, hire a cleaner and start delegating these boring tasks to your children so that they can earn their keep.
pest control tips 3 – washing your pets
Pest Control Tip 3 – Keep Your Pets Well Groomed
We all know how selfless our pets are! So much so that they frequently piggy-back pests into our homes without us noticing. If you regularly groom your pets and brush them thoroughly, you’ll be able to keep them tick and flea-free. There are plenty of regular treatments that you can carry out for your pets to keep them pest-free and therefore afford your home the same.
Pest Control Tip 4 – Flyscreens Are Key
There are loads of gaps in our homes, particularly through open windows and doors. If you install fly-screen mesh around your home, you’ll be able to keep your windows and doors open without having to worry about any unwanted guests making their way into your home. In addition to that, you can use the same approach to open vents and other necessary openings in your home.
Pest Control Tip 5 – Regularly Take Out the Trash
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Well, in this case, we’re talking about critters and pests and they absolutely love trash! If you want the best possible results and to keep your home as critter-free as possible, then we would highly advise that you take your rubbish out every evening before you settle down. In addition to that, you’ll want to keep your outdoor bins sufficiently distanced from your home, as they will invariably attract all sorts of unwanted creepy-crawlies.
You could try composting your wasted food scraps as well, given that this is typically the type of trash that attracts critters. You can compost your waste in sealed and odourless composting bins in either your kitchen or out in the garden.
pest control tips 5 – take out the trash
The previous five are some of the most effective habits that you can develop if you don’t like critters in your home. That said, there are many more pest control tips and tricks that we’d like to share with you. Check them out:
Garden Pest Control Tips (6-13)
Controlling pests in your garden is all about being proactive, rather than reactive. Here are some really helpful garden pest control tips that can allow you to find the right balance in yours.
- Maintain healthy soil (composting and fertiliser will do the trick)
- Opt for pest-resistant plants
- Plant in the right locations (different plants have different strengths and weaknesses so make sure you plant a Ficus in a shaded area rather than in direct sunlight, for example)
- Attract the right insects with certain plants
- Repel pests using strong smelling plants (rather than over-using pesticides)
- Practice crop rotation
- Consider ‘floating row’ covers (allowing light and water in, whilst keeping pests out)
- Don’t eradicate all pests (you want more reason for beneficial insects to drop by)
Kitchen Pest Control Tips (14-18)
Keeping pests out of your kitchen is actually incredibly simple: don’t be a slob. There difficult part is making the lifestyle changes and sticking to them. These kitchen pest control tips should help you out:
- Keep your kitchen dry (wipe the side down every time after use)
- Store food in airtight containers
- Clean and dust your kitchen cabinets regularly (particularly if you have a lot of unused utensils)
- Regularly dispose of your waste (as mentioned above) – You might wish to consider composting as a handy alternative for food waste, which ties in rather nicely with pest control in your garden (i.e., maintaining healthy soil)
- Deep clean on a monthly basis (it doesn’t have to be that dreadful of a job, just do it)!
Apartment Pest Control Tips (19-22)
The same applies for apartment pest control (in both being clean, and proactive as opposed to reactive). If you abide the following pest control tips for apartments, you should be able to avoid infestation altogether.
- Deep clean when you move in (and monthly after that)
- Eliminate all food sources (by storing in airtight containers as mentioned above)
- Check for and repair leaks (a little drip here and there might seem insignificant but cockroaches—among other pests—love the damp)
- Make sure everyone else in the house is on board (it’s easy being clean and organised, but keeping pests out is impossible if nobody else follows suit. You all need to be on the same page)
As apartments tend to be smaller than the average house, it shouldn’t be too difficult for you to keep on top of the cleaning schedule. With these easy pest prevention tips and your due-diligence, you shouldn’t run into too many nasty creepy crawlies!
Summary
Again, you’re never going to be able to keep your home entirely critter-free. But out of sight means out of mind, so there’s certainly much you can do to make yourself feel better. Follow these 22 simple and straight forward tips on how to control pests in your Australian home, and you’ll be absolutely fine. However, if you have your suspicions and believe that you might have an infestation of some description despite these pest control tips, then you must contact your local pest control experts to assist you! There are certain DIY methods that you can try, but the quickest, easiest, and most effective way of clearing your home of unwanted visitors is by seeking professional help.
