As a homeowner, one of the most irritating issues you face is pests. There are so many ways pests will present themselves. They can be ants, flies or rodents. Some types, such as termites, might even have the ability to damage your house. These are some tips and tricks to reduce any pest problems you might have.

Are you getting fruit flies even after you’ve eliminated them? The source of your problem may be your drain. Use plastic wrapping on your drain for just a few days. If fruit flies still appear, scrub around your drain after pouring boiling water. This should prevent fruit flies from making a nest in your drain.

The beginning is the place to start. You must get to the root of your pest issues. Pests enter homes when they find water, food, or shelter to use. Seek out sources of food, water and entry points to your home.

If you want a real test for detecting a termite problem, use a dog trained to sniff out the bugs. Qualified humans are only able to tell you if one-third of the house is termite-free. A dog that is properly trained can sniff out 100 percent of your property. These dogs sniff out methane gas, which directly comes from termites eating your wood.

Is your home swarming with ants? Use a mix of borax and sugar to eradicate them. Sugar attracts the ants, and the borax kills them. Make a trap by blending equal parts borax and sugar in a quart-sized jar. Poke holes in the top, and sprinkle it around baseboards and inside cabinets.

Look around your house for any cracks or places that pests could enter, and seal them right away. Oftentimes, these openings can be a great entrance for pests that seek to enter your home. Sealing these things up gives them no place to hide.

You need to check out your whole house. Termites may rear their ugly heads in the underground areas of your home. Have someone inspect any basements or crawl spaces in your home.

Do you have a problem with rodents invading your home? You might need to look at the outside of your home for places they may be getting in. Use scouring pads and poison to fill such cracks. Use mustard oil to chase the rodents from your home if they are inside.

Dry Goods

Be sure to store dry goods in sealed plastic storage canisters. Most dry foods come in bags or boxes, which means pests can get through easily. Store your dry goods in tightly sealed containers as soon as you get home from the store. By using plastic containers, you can prevent pests and keep food fresh longer.

Find out more about the types of pests you have in your home. In particular, look for things that they don’t like and things that they do like. By knowing all about the pest that is in your home, you can better adapt a plan for eliminating it.

Outdoor lights can attract pests. Therefore, these lights should be kept away from your home’s entrances. Using orange, yellow or pink-toned lights attracts fewer insects. This is a great option for door lights.

If you are fighting mice or rats on your won, remember this: they eat anything. Peanut butter, cheese, meat, jelly, etc. can all work in a trap. Spoiled food will also draw their interest and can serve as a good trap to catch these pests.

Ask your neighbors to assist with pest eradication efforts. In certain areas, especially close neighborhoods, residents will often have similar pest issues. Even if you get rid of them, if they live next door, they can move back in at any time. Get your neighbors to enjoy some teamwork while getting rid of the pests.

Spiders eat bugs, so remember this if you start to see lots of spiders in your house. If you want to keep the problem contained, dust and vacuum at least once a week. These actions will get rid of bugs, meaning there will also be less spiders.

Regardless of the type of infestation you have, it needs to be taken care of swiftly. If you review the advice in this piece, you will know just what to do. Using the advice offered here, you should be pest free in no time.