Controlling pests around your home is an important responsibility; it helps protect not only your property but also your neighbors as well. During these bad economic times some people may not have the money to hire professionals to take 3 to 4 hours out of your day to remove a major pest in or around your home. In such cases it is still simple, easy and very cheap to do your own pest control. It gives you a sense of what is going on around your home and you will save hundreds if not thousands of dollars while exercising your own home pest control.

There are many preventative measure that you can take to defend your home from pests and possibly eliminate current pests. Inspect your home for cracks in the foundation and any other areas that may allow insects to get in. These cracks should be cleaned with bleach if you see recent ant activity (this removes any pheromone trails the ants might be following to enter your home) you may then use dust based pesticides blown into the hole, then caulking the crack to seal it from future insects.

If you find evidence of mice or rat entrances you need to eliminate the rats and mice before sealing any holes, they will find another way in, or even worse, you may be trapping them inside your home. Spray the perimeter of your foundation or use bait granules around your home to further deter any ants or spiders from entering your home. Check the insulation seals around your doors and the bottom edge of your doors, these can wear off leaving gaps that insects can slip through.

Inspect the outside of your home for any holes or nests, these are often signs of a nesting insect. Inspect any unhealthy plants especially any large trees around your home for signs of a bug infestation. Many insects will make their home in trees and forage in your home. If you are moving into an old home inspect any furniture and mattresses for bed bugs, these will look either dark red to white in color. Bed bugs will stay close to sources of food; (humans or pets) so sleeping areas should be inspected. Pay close attention to seams (portions that are sewn together) and any deep crevices. If your home has an unfinished basement; inspect the foundation walls and floor joists, moisture will often make the basement an optimal environment for many different insects. There are many great resources on the internet and with a little research you can easily do your own pest control.