Pests. Every homeowner in Berks County has to deal with them at one point or another. It’s almost impossible for a home not to have some kind of pest issue during its lifetime. Some are worse than others, and some can be very costly. But there are ways to keep the critters at bay.

Typically, people do not think about home pest control until they are disturbed by furry things scurrying in their roofs or ceilings during the night. Or perhaps they see evidence of where the pests have been, and this can either be droppings or damage to the woodwork that is mainly caused by termites.

In response to this, the homeowner may reach for the phone to call their local pest control company to come quickly and get rid of these pests.

When it comes to pest control, why do homeowners and property owners wait until there is an issue before seeking advice? Regular pest control inspections and treatments can help you save money as potential problems can be identified early and treated before damage occurs. Most people are not aware that this is the answer to saving money.

As part of general home and property maintenance, a pest inspection should be performed once a year. If you have termites in your neighborhood, it is worth the cost of an inspection every six months to learn whether they have decided to put your home on their menu.

The best way to save money is by stepping up your housekeeping so there is no food source for pests. This is done by:

  • Ensuring that no plates and dishes are left on the sink - they need to either be washed or placed in the dishwasher
  • Wipe down all bench tops
  • Keep sauce bottles top wiped
  • Ensure all packet items are stored in sealed containers
  • Fix dripping taps - most pests are attracted to both food sources and water that is why a kitchen is an easy target for them
  • Sweep floors and keep carpets vacuumed
  • Get rid of any leftover pet food - don't leave this out overnight

Consult your pest control company before they come to inspect your property, especially if you have fleas or bedbugs. When dealing with fleas, their advice may include cutting lawns, washing your bedding and treating your pets with flea shampoo.

You will save the most amount of money by following the advice a home pest control agent gives you both before and after treatments, as many pests, other than termites, will be less attracted to your home.

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