8 Habits Experts Say May Be Inviting Pests to Your Home
Everyone has at least one “clutter closet”, right?
There’s a long list of things you might’ve wished you’d known before becoming a homeowner. While a lot of foreknowledge is useful, some annoying or expensive events occur outside of our control. For instance, you can call an electrician to check the wiring in the home, but you can’t predict a blown fuse two days after moving in.
I had the unfortunate experience of pipes bursting in my house that was less than five years old. *groan.
While we hope the unexpected hurdles of home ownership are nothing compared to the joys, some not-so-fun aspects can definitely increase frustration and anxiety.
One big nuisance is the recurring presence of pests – whether it be rodents, bugs or any other wildlife. Even after completing the standard pest control procedures, they might still find their way into your residence. It turns out the problem may not be the house – it might be you.
Experts say a lot of our daily habits can unknowingly invite pests into the home, or make the home a comfortable haven for them. That means something’s gotta change.
Here are eight things you might be doing to secretly attract pests, and what you should do instead, according to experts.
Using DIY cleaning solutions with sweet-smelling ingredients
Whipping up a cost-effective cleaning solution from household ingredients can definitely feel like a flex. However, an unwanted side-effect is that many homemade cleaners call for the use of lemon or essential oils to create a sweet aroma, which can attract ants. Instead of the sweetener, just stick with water, white vinegar and dish soap.
Leaving athletic gear lying around
If you work out at home or have a kid who participates in sports, you may have athletic gear lying around the house. While it may seem harmless, experts say gear that goes unwashed can attract flies, in addition to breeding germs. They recommend washing gear immediately, and not leaving it in the clothes basket with other items.
Mismanaging food waste
Home care and cleaning review analyst, Noah Pinsonnault, calls mismanaged food waste the most common attractant of pests, saying, “Organic waste in the trash bin can produce strong odors that attract insects and rodents, and it can also become a breeding ground for fruit flies.” If you don’t have a garbage disposal, Pinsonnault recommends sealing food waste in the freezer and taking it out on trash day.
Overfilling trash bins
I’m guilty of doing this one, myself. Similar to food waste inside the home, an overflowing trash bin that contains food can be like a dinner bell to racoons and other critters. Pinsonnault says the best thing to do is try to conserve and strategize. “Reducing overall food waste and making sure anything discarded is sealed properly can significantly lower that risk.”
Recycling without rinsing containers
“Unrinsed recyclables often retain sugars, oils, and other organic residues that are highly attractive to pests, especially ants, flies, and cockroaches,” notes Pinsonnault. He adds that since recycling is often stored longer than regular trash, the residues have more time to emit odors, which turns your recycling bin into a food source. So a quick rinse goes a long way.
RELATED: How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Quickly, According to Pros
Keeping a “clutter closet”
While that clutter closet is a good space to throw miscellaneous stuff that doesn’t really have a place (and you can’t bring yourself to throw away), you’re unknowingly building a nest for pests. Dark spaces that contain undisturbed shelter materials, particularly cardboard, are key elements. Experts say using airtight storage bins and cleaning regularly helps keep any unwanted closet residents out.
Keeping piles of wood too close to your home
Having a supply of firewood does carry some rustic charm. Unfortunately, storing it in the wrong place can bring inconveniences. “Stacks of firewood or debris placed close to the home can create ideal shelter for pests like termites, ants and rodents,” Pinsonnault warns. “When these populations grow, it becomes much easier for pests to transition from the woodpile into the [home] itself.” If you’re going to keep a wood pile, store it away from your home (20-30 feet from the foundation) and elevated off the ground.
Leaving standing water in house plants
Watering your plants regularly is a good thing. Too much watering is not. Experts say leaving standing water in house plants attracts insects like mosquitoes, roaches, termites and carpenter ants. The same can be said for overwatering your garden and your yard. Instead, it’s recommended that you have proper drainage when watering and refrain from watering if the soil is already damp.
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