Green Pest Prevention

No one wants icky pests (think bugs, mice, and so fourth) in their home, but do we really want toxic chemical pest control in our house either? Nope, I thought not. Following are some pest prevention tips.

PREVENT PESTS FIRST:

Prevention should be your first line of defense at all times. Bugs and other pests may come into your house on a whim, or show up because the neighbors are icky, but overall, pests come because you’ve got something they want. Prevent pests by…

• Storing food in sealed containers.
• Use a garbage can with a tight-fitting lid and frequently remove the garbage from your home. Make sure you toss what you can in the disposal or compost it, rather than tossing it in the trash.
• Keep up with home maintenance. Leaky plumbing or water pools (under plants, under the fridge, in the basement, etc) can inspire pests to visit. You should also make sure to fix holes. Caulk cracks in baseboards and walls. Use wire mesh to block holes near pipes.
• Feed your pets then pick up the bowls. The EPA advises not even leaving water out for pets overnight, but I’m not sure about that one – it may control pests, but in the hot summer you may end up with a cranky pet on your hands.
• Be tidy. Some pests like tidy better than messy (roaches for example) but plenty of pests (like mice) love to hide in clutter. By clutter I mean stacks of papers, messy kitchen cupboards, overstocked bathroom areas, and more. Be generally tidy everywhere to evade pests.

Sneaky ways to prevent pests:

Check before you move in! Many people don’t double check and it sucks to move into a new apartment or house, only to find you already have pesky roommates. Check for signs of pests before signing the lease and have the landlord take care of it. If you’re buying a new home, your home inspection should look for pests as well.

Check boxes and bags before you bring them inside.

If you have a fireplace or wood stove keep firewood outside. I lived in a house with only wood heat a few years back in Humboldt, where it rains almost every day. If this is an issue (i.e. your wood gets too wet to use) bring in small amounts daily but keep the wood in a covered box.

Up later; how to handle toxic pest control chemicals and some natural pest control ideas.