Controlling bugs & pests at home

We all like to live in a nice clean home, don’t we?

You do what you can to keep things clean and tidy, and you can control it. Well, most of it. Because there are other creatures interested in making your home their home too.

I’m talking about wildlife: bugs that crawl and fly, and other small creatures like rodents and even birds and bats. What should you do to prevent them treating your home like a free hotel – and possibly even causing damage?

1. Prevent access to your house

Seal up any cracks or holes you can find around your house, both inside and out. This will prevent most bugs and rodents from entering. If you can’t seal them, try stuffing them with expanding foam or even steel wool (that can’t be chewed) to make it more difficult for them to get in.

2. Stop advertising your delicious food

Store food in containers with tight lids, and always clean up any spills quickly and thoroughly. This will reduce the chances that bugs and pests will be attracted to your home.

But what if you’re already playing host to some unwanted guests?

Spiders

Arachnophobia – the fear of spiders – is one of the most common phobias. But it is generally accepted that spiders are beneficial to the home environment, as they are effective predators of many pests. If there is an infestation of some other type of insect, it is probably best to eliminate the food source (the other insects) rather than to focus on eliminating the spiders.

If you do choose to remove spiders from the house, it is best to do so without the use of chemicals or potentially harmful tools (like vacuum cleaners), and put them outside to carry on their lives and good work catching and eating flies for us.

Ok - but what about wasps?

Wasps are really unpopular. Many people fear being stung. And in some cases, it may be necessary to eliminate wasps to protect people from the potential harm from their stings. However, as with spiders, wasps play an important role in the control of other insects, and can ultimately be beneficial to your garden. So, tempting as it may be to kill wasps, try non-lethal methods such as relocating or repelling wasps instead.

What is the best way of removing ant nests?

The best way to remove ant nests depends on the type and size of the nest. However, an effective method for many types of ant nests is to use a mixture of water and dish soap, poured over or into the nest and then carefully filled with hot water (if it is in a location where this is safe to do and won’t case damage). The dish soap helps to break down the structure of the nest and the boiling water will help to kill the ants.

If the nest is too large or in an awkward position, it might be best to use a pest control professional instead.

How do I eliminate fruit flies in the house?

Fruit flies aren’t really damaging or unsafe to have in the house, but they are annoying and their very short life cycle means they can be a persistent pest! They can be eliminated from the house through a combination of sanitation and other methods.

First, it is important to identify the source of the flies and take steps to remove it, such as covering ripe food or throwing away rotting food.

Next, keep food sealed and stored away to prevent flies from entering. Further steps include cleaning counters, floors, and other surfaces with soap and water.

Finally, make use of traps to catch and eliminate the adult flies.

And the bigger flies?

Since flies can transmit diseases and spread bacteria, it is best to eliminate them from the home as soon as possible. There are several ways to do this. One is by using fly traps. These are effective, eco-friendly, and humane ways to reduce the number of flies in a home. You don’t even have to buy them! There are lots of guides on the web that show you how to make your own from things like used plastic drink bottles.

You can also use a vacuum cleaner to suck up flies, but this may be a bit more difficult and time-consuming. If the fly problem is particularly bad, you may need to resort to using insecticides like fly spray. However, these should be used as a last resort, since they can be hazardous to other animals and humans. Make sure you keep food away from fly spray and ventilate rooms after the alloted period (check the labels!).

Crucial to controlling flies in your home is maintaining a high level of cleanliness. Keep food out of the way in fridges and cupboards and remove food waste and empty bins frequently.

And what about rodents?

The best way to prevent rodents from entering a house is to eliminate points of entry. This can be done by sealing any visible cracks or gaps in the walls and floors, using steel wool to block potential openings, and ensuring that all windows and doors close properly and seal tightly.

Additionally, it is important to keep food areas clean and tidy, and store food in sealed containers to reduce the attractiveness of the house to rodents.

If you have mice already coming into your home, there are some very effective and humane traps that can capture them so you can take them outside and put them in a hedgerow. To become food for owls. But that’s ok. We like owls.

If in doubt with any creepy crawlies in your home, we recommend you consult with professional pest control services. They should be able to advise you and help you remove the offenders! And if your guests are protected species (like bats) it’s important you contact a specialist and/or your local council to get their advice.

Tell us your stories about pests in your home and how you’ve dealt with them. Or if you prefer, join us on Twitter and Facebook and start the conversation!

COVID-19 5th January Update

Just to let you know we are open for business as usual and you can continue to have your cleaner clean your house.

The government has made it clear that cleaners are still permitted to work inside peoples' homes as long as Government Guidelines on social distancing and staying safe are followed (see below). In summary:

You can be outside of your home for work purposes where your place of work remains open and where you cannot work from home, including if your job involves working in other people's homes.

The full text can be found here New National Restrictions from 5 January (in England; there are similar texts available for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). Specifically relating to cleaners, the guidance continues: 'This guidance applies to those working in, visiting or delivering to home environments. These include, but are not limited to, people working in the following areas:

'This can include work in other people's homes where necessary - for example, for nannies, cleaners, social care workers providing support to children and families, or tradespeople (this is not an exhaustive list)'

Note this guidance is for people who are fit and well, and is dependent on the following social distancing guidelines being followed:

No work should be carried out in a household where people are isolating or where an individual is being shielded.
The cleaners can continue work, providing that they are well and have no symptoms. No work should be carried out by a cleaner who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild, or when someone in their own household has symptoms.
No work should be carried out in a household where any occupants are clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus, or households with a possible or confirmed case of coronavirus.
Whilst in the house. a cleaner should maintain a safe distance of at least two metres from any household occupant at all times, and ensure good ventilation in the area where they are working, including opening the window.
Upon entering the home, cleaners should wash their hands using soap and water for 20 seconds.
Cleaners should wash their hands regularly, particularly after blowing their nose, sneezing or coughing, and when leaving the property.

The good news with regard to cleaning is that the cleaners can social distance from their clients very easily, and we would advise that, if you are at home when they are there, that you remain in a separate room to your cleaner.

If you are happy to adhere to the government guidelines - and if your cleaner has not been in touch already - then please just call the office and we will ensure that your cleaning continues.

Best regards

The Cleanhome Team