Last Updated on March 4, 2024
As much as we admire Mother Nature, some of her smaller creations, like bugs, mice, and other vermin need to stay outside where they belong. Unfortunately, they can sometimes find the environment inside your home as attractive as you do.
They really just want to live with you in the comfort of your home. And regardless of how well you maintain your home, they sometimes manage to find a way to get in. So, what do you do when you discover any of these little creatures in your home?
Don’t panic!
It can happen to anyone, and you can get rid of them. First, you need to determine if there is an infestation. It’s possible to see a random critter in your home without it having friends.
Once you’ve ascertained that you may have a problem, you can decide on whether to take matters into your own hands to get them out of your home or to start looking for pest control companies. Either way, you will be able to reclaim your home.
How do you know if you have a problem?
In most cases, if you see a bug or rodent, they most likely have a family somewhere else in your home. But, there are a few things that you can look for that are tell-tell signs that there could be a lot of them. Here are some things that could indicate a problem.
- If you see more than one, it’s time to take drastic measures.
- Mice and other rodents will leave droppings inside of cabinets and along baseboards.
- Cockroaches, and the like, will leave slimy skid marks on the surfaces where they crawl.
- You’ll sometimes see teeth marks on food packages. Vermin will also be attracted to any pet food that is out.
- You might smell their urine. They’ll use the bathroom wherever they roam.
- If you see tiny red spots on your sheets, it could mean that you have bedbugs. And, yes, those spots are your blood.
- If you are infested, you may come across their central nest, and you’ll know for sure that you have a big problem.
Take matters into your own hands.
If you decide to try and get rid of them on your own, do some research before you start buying products. There are a few things to consider.
Are you able to find eco-friendly solutions to the infestation? Will the chemicals be harmful to your pets or children? Are there any guarantees when you purchase products? Here are a few do-it-yourself techniques that might work.
- Roaches are allergic to baking soda. Mix it with a little sugar and put it where you’ve seen them. It works slowly, but it will kill them. You can also spray them with a fabric softener spray. Roaches will also steer clear of bay leaves and citrus smells. You can even use diluted coffee grounds to lure, trap, and kill them.
- Boric acid can be effective in killing roaches, ants, and other tiny pests. But be careful with it around pets and children.
- Mice and other furry friends have likely found a secret entrance into your home. You’ll need to find it and seal it. They also don’t like peppermint, so you could sprinkle it as a deterrent.
- You can also use traps or bait for most indoor pests. Again, though, be careful with these around your pets and other little ones.
- If you’re dealing with fleas, they have likely traveled inside on your pet. There are some homemade treatments that you can use or a variety of powders and sprays. You just have to get rid of them on your pet and in your home at the same time.
- Bedbugs can be treated, but it’s often best to get rid of any bedding that was infested.
Hire a professional.
If you’ve tried everything and you still see the little critters, you may want to hire a professional exterminator. Infestations can sometimes be so severe that you simply can’t get rid of them yourself. Exterminators have the knowledge and the resources to effectively treat your home and to make it harder for any future infestations to happen.