PEST CONTROL FACTS & PREVENTION TIPS

Vancouver and the Lower Mainland are home to over 7,000 insect species, although not all of them are considered pests. However, dealing with such a large number of crawling and flying insects can be challenging. Pests can pose serious health threats to you and your family, such as allergic reactions to cockroach allergens and stinging insects, or exposure to deadly bacteria and diseases like E. coli and salmonella, which rodents, flies, and cockroaches can transfer to food and food preparation surfaces. Mosquitoes can also transmit the West Nile virus through their bites.

Here are 10 tips to prevent pests from invading your home or business, brought to you by the pest control experts at Protech:

Keep your space clean: Cleaning up food and beverage spills, placing garbage in secure cans with lids, and wiping down kitchen counters will deny pests easy access to food and water sources.
Eliminate clutter: Pests like spiders, cockroaches, and rodents love clutter because it provides them with a place to establish a harborage area. Clear out your closets, garages, and storage areas to prevent pests from taking up residence.
Store food in sealable containers: Prevent pests from getting an easy snack by storing food in sealable containers in your pantry or kitchen cabinets. Don't leave pet food in feeding bowls overnight.
Prevent excess moisture: Pests need moisture to survive, so keep faucets, plumbing pipes, garden hose spigots, gutters and downspouts, and irrigation systems in good repair. Remove any standing water on your property to avoid attracting mosquitoes.
Trim trees and shrubs: Prevent ants and roof rats from gaining easy access to your home by trimming trees and shrubs away from your house.
Maintain a 2-foot barrier: Don't over-mulch the planting beds near your home – maintain a 2-foot barrier from the foundation using landscape stones.
Inspect bags and boxes: Before bringing bags and boxes into your home, inspect them for pests to avoid giving them a lift.
Wash pet bedding regularly: Regularly wash your pet's bedding to help prevent fleas from attacking your dog or cat.
Secure your windows and doors: Ensure your window screens are securely fastened and have no tears to keep flying insects out. The same goes for doors and door frames – pests can easily slip through even the slightest opening.
Seal cracks and openings: Check around your foundation for cracks or openings in the bricks or mortar and seal them to deny pests entry.

Protect your home or business from pest infestations by staying vigilant. Keep an eye on the following:

Look out for rodent droppings in pantry cabinets, under sinks, and in garages or porches.
Check for tiny dark spots on light-colored bedding or bites on your skin, which may indicate the presence of bed bugs.
Watch for yellowjackets or wasps flying around, as they may be establishing a hive in nearby trees or structures.
Keep an eye out for small mound-like dirt piles in your lawn, which could be a sign of ant nests.
If dry food items like flour, sugar, or cereal have an off smell, you may have stored product pests like beetles.

If you've noticed signs of pests in your home or business, don't hesitate to reach out to our team of experts for fast and effective pest control solutions.