The Most Common Household Pests And How To Get Rid of Them

Pests are bothersome. They find a way to sneak into our homes, set up camp then begin to make our lives miserable.

These tiny home invaders like to hide in the dark unvisited corners of our households. You may have a tough time spotting them, and when you do, they might have already spread into an infestation.

In this article, we will highlight the five most common pests in your home, then share a few tips to help you get rid of them so you can enjoy your pest-free home.

Bed Bugs

Bedbugs may get into your home through clothing, luggage or used furniture. Their small size allows them to hide in mattresses, bed frames, and between cushion and drawer joints. Bed bugs live off blood, so at night, they might come out to feed on your blood.

If you notice any welts on your body and bloodstain on your bedsheets, remove your beddings and check for bedbugs. If you spot them, gear up for a bed bug treatment.

Start by cleaning your room, clearing clutter, and cleaning all your beddings and clothes with hot water. Afterwards, you can use chemicals and pesticides.

Rats

Rat are notorious for gnawing on electrical cables and wires. These pests move around your home searching for food and water. And in the process, they spread viruses and diseases like Hantavirus and Salmonella.

Rats might go unnoticed in your home since they are active at night. If you see any droppings or foot and tail marks, check for rats in places like the garage, kitchen store and drains. Eliminate them by removing clutter, throwing your trash out, and spraying natural deterrents like black pepper and cayenne in their hiding zones.

Ants

Ants can enter your home through the smallest of cracks. These pests don’t cause any diseases, but they can damage your wooden structures. Ants can also contaminate your countertop fruits and foods.

You can get rid of these bothersome home invaders with diatomaceous earth, peppermint, neem oil, and vinegar. Pour or spray these repellants in crack openings and ant holes around your home.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches can eat anything, whether food on dirty dishes, bread crumbs, or leftover meat. You are most likely to find these pests in your kitchen cabinets and drainage pipes.

Cockroaches need food and water to survive. You can start wiping them out by unclogging the drains, cleaning your kitchen regularly and spraying pesticide.

Fleas

If you have pets in your house, you need to be on the lookout for fleas.

Try grooming your pets regularly and clean their habitat. You can also use a bagged vacuum and run it through your living room, floors, and any other flea hiding spots.

The Bottom Line

If any of these five pests sneak into your home, get rid of them as soon as possible. They might wreak havoc in your household.

Your first line of defense should be to keep the house tidy then use pesticides and repellants like peppermint and neem oil.