To maintain your home and keep it free of unwanted guests you will have to implement an Integrated Pest Management approach. This includes being vigilant, making mechanical modifications, following better sanitation and cultural practices, and most of all using some common sense. Here are five quick tips.
1. Trim Branches and Tree Limbs Close to your Home: Squirrels, Raccoons, and Insects gain easy access to your home when branches hang near. Make sure that your window screens are not damaged also.

2. Secure Garbage Containers: Make sure outdoor garbage containers and recycling bins are always clean, have tight lids, and are placed away from your home. Rodents and insects are always looking for their next source of food, water, and shelter to survive. Denying these will keep them away. Your indoor containers should also have a cover. Sanitation plays a huge part in pest control.​

3. Remove Wood Piles or Debris: Rodents, other small animals, and insects seek shelter during the colder months which might happen to be close to or in your home. Termites are no different and are attracted to this environment too. In the United States, Termites cause annual estimated damage of $5,000,000,000. Don't be a part of this stat. Store wood, off the ground and further away from your home.​

4. Mend Holes or Openings: Repair, seal and caulk any openings especially around windows, doors, access panels, or crawl spaces to prevent the entry of small critters and insects. In the process, your home also becomes more energy efficient.​

5. Keep Water Away: Water should be directed away from your home at all costs. Make sure standing water is not an issue, mosquitoes can lay their eggs in them. You should also steer all gutter spouts away from your property, if not it can pool and seep down to the foundation over time, this can cause a whole host of pests and mold issues.
If any of this sounds too difficult, schedule an Annual Inspection with a reputable Pest control company in your area so they can point out any potential pest problems before it gets too late, and remember "Don't Let Your Pest Be Your Guests."
​If you like this then check out 5 Simple Tips for Indoor Pests Prevention.
​Written by: Neil A. Bacchus | Operating Manager | Citi Termite Control Inc.

Keeping your home safe from Pests is always a challenge. The last thing you want to hear in the middle of the night is your wife yelling "Babeeeeeeeee!!!" or your kids "Daaaaaaaad!!!", you know that tone and it only means one thing, there is a bug in the house!
Here are a few tips to keep insects and pests from being a major headache and prevent sleepless nights for you and your family. Even better, it saves you money, so here goes:​
1. Rinse before Recycle: Remember to rinse your juice and soda containers before recycling. This way, they won't attract flies, ants, or roaches. ​

2. Keep your Kitchen Clean: Clear food from all surfaces, clean dishes every night, and sweep floors of crumbs. To pests, your kitchen could be perceived as an endless buffet.

4. Kitchen Storage​: Store grains and cereals in tight lid containers and keep Food products off the floors and away from the walls. This includes pet foods. Keep your storage area neat and free of spills and crumbs. When you purchase items make sure they are not expired or have torn packages. Apply the FIFO (First In First Out) Rule, using the oldest products in your pantry, first. Recycle your empty clear containers, by storing beans and grains in them so they can be easily identified and inspected. This will definitely keep pantry pests at bay.