Tis February, folks! Spring will arrive next month. And you know what that means? Critter season will be upon us soon. You’ll see six-legged, uninvited guests crawling into your home.
Americans most likely notice spiders, flies, and ants in their homes, says YouGov. Gnats and mosquitoes are also common. Fewer frequently encounter larger pests like raccoons, rats, mice, and opossums. Once these tiny critters creep in, good luck getting them out.
However, you don’t have to wait for an infestation to take action. Instead of battling pests after they settle in, why not make your home as uninviting as possible from the get-go?
Here, we’ll share some home improvements you can make to keep pests out for good.
Table of Contents
1- Install a Magnetic Screen Door
Leave your door open for just a split second, and bam! Flies will flock into your home.
If you don’t want to swat bugs all day, install a magnetic screen door. It lets fresh air in while keeping bugs out. The best part? It snaps shut behind you automatically. So, even if your hands are full, you don’t have to worry about leaving the door open for pests to waltz in.
Be careful when you choose a magnetic screen door. Not all doors are built to last.
Consider the cost, but don’t skip the material. Magnetic screen door mesh is primarily made from fiberglass or polyester, informs Bob Vila. But if you’ve got pets, opt for ABS plastic. Meshes made of ABS plastic are very tough and impact-resistant.
Pro at DIY? Install the door yourself. Just go through the instructions thoroughly, and you’ll be able to fix it in minutes. But if you aren’t confident in your DIY skills, hire a professional.
2- Swap Out Traditional Mulch for Rock Landscaping
Mulch might enhance the beauty as well as the health of your flower beds and backyard. But guess what? They also attract pests.
The thing is that mulch creates a moist, sheltered environment. It’s because of this property mulch is widely used in landscapes and gardens. But this very environment is also attractive to pests. Beetles, slugs, ants, and rodents love to burrow in that moist, decomposing material.
Switch to rock landscaping around the foundation of your home if you want to keep pests at bay.
Gravel, pebbles, or river rocks look great, help with drainage, and don’t attract nearly as many pests. No bugs nesting near your house means fewer sneaking inside.
Want to add a little drama to your front yard landscaping? Homes & Gardens advises using large rocks or boulders as a focal point. Complement them with uniquely shaped plants, and add succulents and cacti for visual interest and contrast.
3- Repair the Roof
Think pests only sneak in through doors and windows? Think again. Your roof can be a hidden highway for all kinds of unwanted visitors—mice, squirrels, bats, and insects.
Even a few missing shingles or a small opening in the eaves can turn your attic into the new home of critters. What’s more shocking? Some animals, especially raccoons, can pull up the shingles and enter the attic, states U.S. News & World Report.
A simple roof inspection can save you a ton of trouble. Check for missing shingles, cracked flashing, or tiny openings that could let pests squeeze through.
If you spot damage, seal it with weatherproof caulk or call in a pro to patch things up before critters creep into your attic.
While you’re at it, consider installing a fascia board if you don’t already have this fixture. The vertical finishing edge that connects to the ends of the rafters will seal off those parts of your roof where pests can sneak in.
Fascia boards also provide a solid base for securing gutters, which helps with proper drainage. That’s another key factor in keeping pests away. Architecturally, Belco Forest Products notes that the fascia board gives a roof a finished, refined appearance, complementing and enhancing its overall design.
4- Replace Baseboards with Pest-Resistant Materials
Wooden baseboards? They are a favorite of termites and ants. Once these little critters move in, they won’t stop until they chew through your walls.
Why not swap them out for pest-resistant materials? PVC, composite, or metal are great options. These materials don’t just keep bugs at bay, but they are also more durable and resistant to moisture. So, you won’t have to worry about rot or mold, which only attracts more bugs.
If a full replacement isn’t in the cards right now, treat your existing baseboards with a borate-based insecticide. It soaks into the wood and makes it way less appealing to hungry pests.
Pests are sneaky. But you can drastically reduce the chances of uninvited guests residing in your space through these home improvements.
And you know what’s the best part? Most of these upgrades come with bonus benefits like better energy efficiency, improved home value, and lower maintenance costs.
Sure, it might seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth it—after all, a pest-free home is a happy home.
Read Next: Top 3 Benefits of Seasonal Pest Control for Rental Properties