Home Pest Control: How to Keep Your House Pest-Free While Away

Traveling can be an exciting way to explore new places and create unforgettable memories. Yet, it's not so appealing when you return home to find unwanted guests – pests.

They can infest your home in your absence, leading to potential damage and creating an unhealthy living situation. Fortunately, there are steps you can take for home pest control to keep your house pest-free while you're away. 

How to Keep Your Home Pest-Free While You’re Away Traveling

Modern minimalist living room featuring a black leather sofa, wooden coffee table, and prominent wooden staircase with vertical slat railings. The space includes multiple potted plants, built-in shelving with books and decor, a mid-century modern wooden chair, and natural light from large windows. The room has white walls, track lighting, and an area rug, creating a clean aesthetic with warm wood accents.
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Prepare Before You Leave

Taking preventative measures before you leave can make all the difference. A significant step you can take is to hire a professional pest control service such as Hawx pest control.

They can perform a comprehensive pest inspection and treatment, reducing the risk of infestation while you're away.

To decrease the chances of pests making themselves at home, also ensure your house is clean: wipe down surfaces, vacuum all carpets, and empty trash cans. 

Professional pest control technician in white protective suit, safety goggles, and blue gloves kneeling on office floor while spraying treatment along baseboards. The worker is positioned near large windows in a bright commercial space with office furniture visible in the background.
Source: Unsplash.

Proper Food Storage 

Food attracts pests.

To prevent their invasion, keep all food sealed and securely stored. It includes not only perishable food items in your refrigerator, but also dry goods such as cereals, pasta, and rice.

Use glass or heavy-duty plastic containers with tight-fitting lids to store food. Avoid leaving pet food out as well, as this can be a magnet for pests.

Pantry shelf displaying various food storage containers and ingredients including glass jars with grains or cereals, dark bottles, a red sauce or condiment jar, yellow packaged goods, and a milk or juice carton, all arranged on a wooden shelf against a dark background.
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Eliminate Sources of Water

Pests need water to survive, just like us.

Leaky pipes and areas of standing water attract pests to your home. Hence, before you jet off, it's advisable to fix any plumbing issues and wipe down wet areas such as the sink or bathtub.

Don't forget to empty all plant water trays and drain any water features outside. 

Person lying on kitchen floor working on plumbing repairs under the sink, with tools scattered nearby including wrenches and other equipment. The scene shows a modern kitchen with white cabinets, wooden countertop, and various kitchen items visible on the counter above.
Source: Unsplash.

Fly Screen Your Home

Installing fly screens can be an excellent investment in pest prevention.

They not only stop pests like flies, mosquitoes, spiders, and wasps from entering your home but also allow fresh air to flow through. So these screens are especially useful to keep your home pest-free while you're traveling.

Modern black-framed window with two glass panes set in a gray concrete or stucco wall, reflecting blue sky and white clouds. The window features a clean, contemporary design with dark trim against the neutral exterior wall surface.
Source: Unsplash.

Garden Maintenance 

A well-kept garden can significantly reduce the risk of pest infestations in your home.

Trim back any overgrown shrubs or branches that touch your walls or roof as pests can use these as a bridge to get inside.

Keep compost bins sealed and move piles of leaves or grass because they can be breeding grounds for pests. Also, avoid over-watering your plants before traveling as moist mulch, and soil can attract pests.

Person in gray long-sleeved shirt using pruning shears to trim white flowering shrubs in a lush garden setting. The gardener wears brown leather gardening gloves while carefully cutting clusters of small white flowers, with abundant greenery and plantings visible in the background.
Source: Unsplash.

Using Natural Pest Repellents

Before you pack your bags and hit the road, consider using natural pest repellents.

Scents such as citronella for mosquitoes, peppermint oil for mice and spiders, or cedar oil for fleas can deter these pests from your home.

You can leave these natural pest repellents in strategic places around your house – they will not only keep your home smelling great, but they will also help keep those pesky intruders away. 

Person cleaning a gray upholstered sofa using a dark spray bottle and white cleaning cloth, demonstrating furniture maintenance in a home setting.
Source: Unsplash.

Conclusion

Traveling should bring about joy and relaxation, not stress and worry about pest invasions at home.

By using professional services like Hawx pest control, prepping your home thoroughly, storing food correctly, eliminating water sources, fly screening your living space, maintaining the garden, and using natural pest repellents, you can easily curb the pest problem while you're away.

Consider these steps as part of your pre-travel checklist. Then, set off on your adventure, knowing that you'll return to a pest-free home.


Disclaimer: 

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