Spring is a time of rebirth, of re-energizing and re-organizing. Whether it’s your personal life or your home that needs a clean-up, now’s the time to take action. Our living environment has a deep impact on our mood, performance and mental health, that’s why it is so important to keep it clean, safe and comfortable.
Before going through your every room, sorting, throwing away and donating useless stuff, make sure your rental does not house any unwanted guests like rodents, ants, roaches or ticks. Just as everything else in nature, pests tend to come back to life as well when the weather warms up outside, causing damage to your belongings and a lot of headaches.
Here are a few tips on the steps you can take to minimize pest problems before they become a real nuisance for you and your family.
Identify the pest problem. Apartments and houses are often prone to being infested by cockroaches, fleas, termites, ants, mice, rats, mold, or mildew so you might want to conduct a thorough inspection of your home, before going on a de-cluttering spree this spring. Look out for signs of pests and check your property for any possible entry points, like openings in walls, near cable, electrical and plumbing lines, around windowsills and door jams, in unscreened attic vents and uncapped chimney stacks. The best way to control pests is to try to prevent them from entering your home in the first place.
Block off pest entryways and hiding places. Caulk cracks and crevices that might give pests free access to your home. Grooming and bathing pets regularly is essential for both your home and your pet’s health and wellbeing. If you’re leery of using chemical products on your dog or home, there are a number of natural alternatives available: apple cider vinegar, eucalyptus, fennel, and rosemary all seem to act as excellent bug repellents.
Inspect your residence regularly. If you’re moving to a new apartment, check for pests in packages or boxes before carrying them into your home. The same goes for any vintage or flea market finds you might want to incorporate in your redecorating project. Washing bed linen and clothes in hot temperatures and drying them on high heat after long trips or move-ins is often the ideal solution for bed bug removal.
Work on your indoor prevention strategy. According to EPA guidelines, pests seek places to live that satisfy their basic needs for air, moisture, food, and shelter so it’s crucial to keep your quarters clean, dry and free of clutter. Let your landlord know as soon as you notice any leaky plumbing, remove any food leftovers from your kitchen and do not let water accumulate anywhere in or around your home. For example, do not leave any water in trays under your houseplants, under your refrigerator, or in buckets overnight. Dampness and high humidity environments are ideal for pests’ propagation.
To further protect your property and personal belongings against any unwanted damage, fire, flood, burglary or lightning, consider getting apartment renters insurance.
