We all know that pest prevention is better than a cure, which is why our Fort Worth cash home buyers are sharing specialist pest control tips that keep bug-related issues down to a minimum.
#1 – Keep your soil healthy
A pest-resistant yard stops pests from moving in, multiplying, and then launching an invasion of your home, so it’s essential to start in the garden. A healthy soil ecosystem is the first step in pest prevention because it supports strong, healthy plant growth, and healthy plants are better able to fight off pests that target them. It also encourages beneficial insects to come live in your garden – and since many of these feed off the eggs and larvae of pest insects, you naturally reduce the number of unwanted insects. The best way to improve your soil quality is to dig in lots of organic compost, to use fish and seaweed fertilizers, and not turn your soil too often.
#2 – Choose pest repellant plants that attract the good guys
There are some plants that actively work like pest repellants, either deterring the bugs you don’t want or bringing in the good bugs that feed off the bad guys. Try to plant these pest prevention shrubs and herbs close to your entertainment areas, windows, and doorways to get the most benefit. We recommend lavender, dill, four-wing saltbush, Queen Anne’s lace, tansy, purple poppy mallow, prairie sunflowers, cosmos, pennyroyal, zinnias, spearmint, thyme, lemongrass, and catnip.
#3 – Minimize breeding areas
Most pest insects require moisture and standing water to breed, so don’t let too much moisture sit around your home. Good pest control tips include only watering early in the morning, using hard landscaping (rocks, etc.) closer to your foundation and mulch further away from doors and windows, and having a small fountain circulate any pond water. Try to keep your compost or mulching area well covered and sealed, or near the bottom of your yard.
#3 – Seal doors and windows, cracks, and gaps
Look over the entire exterior of your home to see where bugs, mice, rats, and other pests can get in. Remember, these guys are determined, so even tiny gaps must be plugged! Foundation cracks, space around utility lines, loose siding, missing shingles, and gaps around pipes all need to be repaired. If you love fresh air, fine mesh over the windows is a great pest control option that will help cool your home and keep pests out at the same time. It’s also worthwhile to close air gaps around windows and exterior doors – and this will also help keep your energy bills down too.
#4 – Don’t let bins fill up
Bins of home refuse, recycling, and garden refuse are treasure troves for pests, as they are warm, damp, food-filled spaces. One of our best pest prevention tips is to take out your home trash more regularly than in winter – even if it’s only half full. This will prevent flies and cockroaches from slipping in and causing an infestation. Keep bins well-sealed, rinse out recyclables, and store bins in your garden shed, garage, or outside rather than in your home. You should also rinse your bins regularly, as well as clean up any drips and spills as soon as they happen.
#5 – Don’t leave food out
Whether its dog food sitting in a bowl all day, your teenagers collecting every plate and mug into their rooms, or a freshly prepared family feast, it all looks great to pests! Wherever possible, keep food sealed, airtight, and refrigerated or stored well out of the reach of bugs. Dirty plates, bowls, and cutlery must be cleaned or go into the dishwasher (which should stay closed) as quickly as possible, and pet food shouldn’t be left out. The scent of food is a huge draw for rats, mice, cockroaches, and flies, and small changes that eliminate this can make all the difference. If you are serving a meal, keep it close to a fan to prevent any pests from settling on it, cover it with food covers between serving, and get everyone involved to pack it up and store it once you’re done.
#6 – Keep an eye out for signs of pests – and call pest control
Even the cleanest, most well-maintained home can have a pest problem – but limiting the impact and the damage the pests do is easy if you watch for infestation signs. Look for signs of droppings, nesting, odd sounds and smells, tracks, damaged plants, and your pets paying special attention to darker, unused areas of your home or yard. If you see any of these signs, have a pest control specialist pay a visit. The earlier you catch the infestation, the better!
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When you want to sell your house quickly without spending more money on it or paying real estate agent fees, there’s no one better than Shiny Key Properties! Our Fort Worth cash home buyers purchase houses in any condition, at any time of year, from well-kept family properties to teardowns. If you want to sell your property as is without having to look for a buyer, deal with a real estate agent and pay their commission, or even empty the property, then the best option is to sell directly to our cash for homes agency. We price your property according to the market, so you get a fair deal in record time!
We will buy your property fast, putting a lump sum into your account in a matter of days. Here’s how our process works:
- You enter your information on our website. We’ll contact you directly to discuss an offer for your property (you can also get a free property evaluation from our website)
- You can accept or reject the FREE NO-OBLIGATION offer
- Cash will be deposited into your bank account – with no real estate agent fees or realtor fees
- We can handle all aspects of the process, including clearing out the property
- You can also call us directly on 469-858-0088
That’s all there is to it!
Our team is compassionate and highly motivated to offer you the best possible market-related price for your house, so you can sell your property fast. Not only does this cash go straight into your bank account as soon as the sale goes through, but you also pay no real estate agent fees or commission.