Controlling Household Pests

by | Aug 27, 2020 | 2020, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Safety, Housing

Eeekkk! A roach! Quick – where’s the bug spray? That seems like a logical way to get rid of the pesky critter, right? But what if the roach is in your kitchen? Or you have pets or small children? Is there a less toxic way to keep pests out of your home?

Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, uses a combination of methods to help you:

  • Stop pests
  • Inspect and monitor for pests
  • Identify pests
  • Have a game plan to protect your home
  • Know if your plan is working

Pests, like people, need food, water, and shelter to thrive, so if you eliminate one or all these factors, you increase your pest control success. You can use IPM to prevent indoor and outdoor pests and solve existing pest problems.

If you can see light around the door edge, insects can enter. Photo source: UF/IFAS

Exclusion is a major part of prevention in IPM; it prevents outdoor pests from entering.

  • Check the weather-stripping around exterior doors and windows – if you can see light, pests can enter. Did you know an American cockroach can enter through a gap the thickness of a quarter?
  • Install door sweeps on exterior doors so insects can’t enter under the door – be sure the sweep brushes the floor.
  • Patch or replace window and door screens to keep flying insects out.
  • Use sealants around doors and windows to fill tiny gaps where pests can enter. It will help to conserve energy, too!
  • Cover vent pipe openings, like dryer vents, on your home’s exterior with strong mesh or other covering to keep rodents and other small animals from entering.

Our Habits
We sometimes make it easier for pests to move in and thrive in our home due to our habits. Here are a few easy ways to prevent pests:

  • Wash dishes promptly. Pests feast on food particles so wash dishes immediately after meals.
  • Quickly clean up grease and spills. Just like dirty dishes, grease and food spills attract pests so clean them as soon as they occur. This also will keep the spill from spreading, saving you cleaning time in the long run.
  • Store food items in sealed plastic containers. This keeps pests out and food items fresher for longer.
  • Clean on a routine schedule. Regular sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, and general cleaning removes food sources for pests and creates a healthier indoor living space for you and your family.
  • Get rid of clutter. Piles of paper, clothes, and other items can provide a dark, cozy home in which pests can hide and multiply. Organize these areas so your home is less inviting to pests. Cockroach control alone can significantly reduce allergen levels.
  • Dispose of recycling frequently. This removes a breeding ground for pests.
  • Inspect incoming goods or items before bringing them into your home. This will reduce the risk of “stowaways” entering.
  • Use plastic bins for long-term storage. Cockroaches love cardboard boxes and paper bags so transfer items you plan to store for longer than three to six months to plastic storage bins with tight-fitting lids.

Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options for controlling pests.

Use window cleaner, rubbing alcohol, or baby wipes to disrupt ant trails in your home. Photo source: Judy Corbus, UF/IFAS Extension

  • Window cleaner, rubbing alcohol, baby wipes: Ants travel in trails to and from their food source, emitting pheromones, or scent trails, to “mark” their path to the food. To disrupt ant trails, spray window cleaner on or apply rubbing alcohol to a paper towel or use baby wipes to wipe the ant trail. This removes the scent trail so the ants cannot find their way back to their food.
  • Whole home gel bait: These products come in a syringe-type applicator with formulations for cockroaches and ants. Examine your home carefully to see where these pests are entering and apply a pea-sized dollop of the gel bait at the entry points. The pests eat the bait and return to their nest, where the gel bait eliminates the nest. The gel bait can be used anywhere in and around the house where cockroaches or ants are found and is more effective than treating kitchens and bathrooms only, a common pest control practice. Gel bait works well behind appliances, swtichplates, and outlet covers. Reapply gel bait periodically to keep pests from returning. You may need to rotate brands, as pests can develop immunity over time.

So, the next time you see a bug in your home, consider IPM before you reach for the spray. For more information about integrated pest management for homes, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension office.

 

Judy Corbus
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