How Clutter Can Attract Pests

If you are a homeowner, then you know all too well how easy it is to accumulate a lot of stuff. In our busy lives, we don’t usually put everything away in its proper places. Sometimes clutter can get out of hand; attics and basements are prone to filling with clutter. Accumulating stuff is not only a bad habit; it can also attract unwanted pests that are looking for shelter. Once pests are in your home, they can be hard to remove and are best left to a professional pest control service.

How Do Pests Enter Your Home?

Pests want to get into our homes for two reasons, food and shelter. Sometimes, they can even smell our food from outside the house which lures them in. Rodents and other pests can find their way into our homes in a number of ways.

Roof vents
Dryer vents
Plumbing Vents
Garage doors
Eves
Rooflines
Gaps in walls

Dangers of Having Pests in Your Home

Pests in your home are not just annoying, but they can cause serious health and structural problems as well. Pests can cause a host of problems for homeowners including:

Allergies
Urine stains
Droppings
Chewing through wires and drywall
Breeding and multiplying

Types of Pests Attracted to Clutter

When our clutter gets out of control, it can become an easy place for common pests to hide and breed. The more stuff you have, the easier it is for a pest problem to go unnoticed. You may not immediately be aware of an infestation until the problem is out of hand. One way to mitigate a pest infestation is to be aware and look for the signs.

Rodents

Rodents such as mice, rats, and squirrels are a common occurrence in cluttered homes. They can do a lot of damage to stored items, wooden beams, isolation, and even electrical wires.

Droppings – Rat and mouse droppings are small but easy to spot. You can find them under shelves, on top of heating ducts, or even inside boxes.

Nests – Check old boxes, rafters, and even heating vents for nests. Nests are made up of chewed-up cardboard, fabric, or whatever is available to build with.

Seeds – If you have mice and rats living in the house, then they probably have a way in and out that you aren’t aware of. Check the corners, cracks, and ceiling beams (or tiles in recessed ceilings) for seeds brought in from the outside, such as corn and sunflowers.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches love dark and damp places, which makes cluttered basements the ideal habitat. Roaches are very unpleasant yet resilient creatures that can cause serious health problems.

Signs of Cockroaches

Food poisoning
Allergies
Diarrhea
Asthma

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs usually gain entry into your home by hitching a ride on furniture or other objects but they can also be transported by humans and pets. Bed bugs can be hard to find and identify because they are tiny and stay hidden. Once bed bugs have established themselves in your home they can be nearly impossible to get rid of. Your best bet for total elimination is to call a professional exterminator.

Common Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

Small red or brown spots on mattresses, furniture, and walls
Molted skins
Sticky eggs
Empty egg shells

How To Prevent Pests From Getting Inside

Seal Your House

Check the perimeter of your house for cracks, holes, or gaps.

Clean Your Garage

Make sure your garage is free of clutter or materials rodents can use to build nests. Store pet food in a sealed plastic container.

Get a Pet

The presence of a cat or dog can deter rodents from moving in.

Put Away Food

Most pests have a keen sense of smell and can smell our food beyond the walls of our homes. Store food like cereal and pasta in air-tight plastic containers.

Call a Professional Pest Control Service

The only way you can absolutely be sure that pests are eliminated is to hire a professional pest control service. At Capelouto Termite & Pest Control, we have the tools and the experience necessary to help you eliminate your rodent problem.

Pest Control in Florida

We have been providing exceptional pest control and rodent exclusion services for our community since 1964. With over fifty years of experience, we can handle any kind of pest nature will throw at you. From rodents to cockroaches, we have seen it all and we have treated it all. If you have a pest problem, call us today at 805-404-7648 or leave us a message.