Eliminate the Basics

One of the most basic ways to eliminate a pest problem is to take away at least one thing the pests need to survive like water, food, and a place to live. Fixing leaky faucets and removing standing water in and around your house removes one of the basic things that all living things need, including pests. Even high humidity in your home is an open invitation for pests to invade.

Don't leave food out and seal all food containers including garbage cans and cupboards. There are lots of products out on the market that can help you pest-proof your cupboards without using chemicals that could get into your food.

Seal off where pests enter your home. Caulk cracks and crevices, install screens in floor drains, windows and doors, block passageways through your floor, and place weather stripping around your doors and windows.

Get rid of anything a pest may make a home in. For example, avoid storing newspapers or boxes, caulk cracks and stop up holes. If a pest can't make a home in your home, they aren't likely to stay long.

Non-Chemical Control Methods

It is interesting to note that non-chemical methods actually do work when it comes to pest control. One of the best things you can use to control pests in your home and garden is biological controls or using the pests natural predators to control them.

Invite birds to your garden with bird seed and bird-houses. Birds such as purple martins are helpful in insect control. Introduce predatory insects such as spiders, dragonflies, and ground beetles to your yard to control pests, and parasitoids such as miniwasps' offspring feed on common household pests. You can get predatory insects to introduce to your yard from local nurseries or garden associations. Natural predators too mice and rats include garden snakes, cats, and terrier type dogs.

Biochemical pesticides are used to lure pests into traps and to stunt their reproductive abilities. The key to using non-chemical pest control methods is patience. You won't get measurable results immediately, but as you use one or a combination of non-chemical pest control strategies, you will be able to control or even eliminate common household pests.

Chemical Control Methods

There are lots of pesticides available on the shelf of your local supermarket or home and garden store. The key to using chemical pesticides safely and effectively is choosing the right one and using it correctly the first time. Chemical pesticides should be considered temporary solutions and can take several applications to work correctly. Meanwhile, the pests in your home could build up a resistance to the pesticide and you may be exposing your family to harmful chemicals. If you don't know how to use a chemical pest control method correctly, your best option is calling in a professional to handle it. In the long run calling on a professional to help can save you time and money, especially when you combine it with non-chemical pest control methods.