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Ants and cockroaches need food and water, and they need a way to gain access to your home. Since they can be very persistent, you need to be just as persistent. By taking some simple steps to help control nuisance pests, you can be a part of the inside-out solution.
Inside
- Make sure all doors to the outside are sealed properly. If light can be seen from around the door, then insects can invade your home.
- Keep air-conditioning filters clean and free from mold and mildew build because this can attract tiny insects.
- Check for plumbing leaks, and seal off holes around plumbing pipes behind cabinetry. Avoid standing water anywhere in or around your home.
- A good caulk seal around bathtubs and toilets will keep out small insects, such as silverfish and ants.
- Check the attic for water in the drain pan, Seal or remove cardboard boxes to prevent insects from nesting inside.
- Keep all open food containers in tightly sealed containers or in the refrigerator.
- Don't leave pet food or water out overnight
- Pests can hide in grocery bags, packages and boxes before carrying them inside your house.
Outside
- Replace all torn screens to keep insects from getting inside.
- Seal around soffits and vents to make sure insects and rodents can't get into the attic space.
- Seal around conduits and piping where it enters your house. Many insects and rodents follow power lines or climb conduits or pipes to get inside.
- Check all gutter drains to make sure that water is diverted away from your house. The base of each gutter should drain water away from the foundation to discourage moisture from building up next to your house.
- Remove all leaves and debris from rain gutters and roof to prevent ants and other insects from nesting under these areas.
- Caulk all cracks and crevices around window frames and pipes to prevent insects from entering the home
- Keep garbage cans clean and lids closed tightly to prevent ants, roaches and flies from feeding and breeding in the trash.
- Keep garage door closed when not in use, and make sure the weather-stripping along the base of the door is in good shape if not replace.
- Trim trees and shrubs away from your house, because ants and other insects can use limbs or branches as bridges to gain entry.
- Keep firewood up off the ground and away from house.
- Check your sprinkler irrigation system to be sure that it is not pointed toward the foundation.