|

How to Keep Your Home Pest-Free While Travelling 

There is no sight more horrifying to a homeowner returning from a relaxing vacation than a home that’s overrun with unwelcome pests. It has happened to us and we learnt from our mistake after going home to our house in the sun to find it overrun with mice! In our absence lots of pests such as roaches, mice, ants, and other nuisances often seize the opportunity to invade our personal spaces. Keeping your home pest-free while you’re traveling can be a challenging task; however, some proactive measures can help ensure that you return to a home as clean and comfortable as you left it.

I could be compensated, if you click on a link in this post via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See our full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details.

Before setting off for your journey, it’s a good idea to do an overall check of your home. Look for any signs of pests and consider taking precautionary measures. You might not see the need, but consulting with pest exterminators at this point can prove tremendously useful. They can identify potential areas of concern, carry out preventative treatments, and give you peace of mind while you’re away.

Let’s dive into some tips to keep your home pest-free. 

Mouse chewing on bread in a kitchen , how to get rid of house pests
Photo Credit: Deposit photos

Identify and Seal Possible Entry Points

One of the simplest ways to discourage pests is to block their possible entry routes. Check your house thoroughly for any cracks or holes, paying special attention to areas around the doors and windows. It is also advisable to check the attic, garage, and basement for small openings that crawling and flying pests could exploit. Ensuring all these potential entry points are properly sealed will help prevent an infestation in your absence. Even spaces in the eaves can become homes to birds, hornets or wasps, so sealing any holes you find to prevent this.

Maintain a Clean Environment

Maintaining a clean environment can significantly reduce the likelihood of encountering a pest problem when you return. Before you leave, clean every corner of your house and make sure no food leftovers are available to pests. Vacuum your home, clean countertops and kitchen appliances, empty rubbish bins, and properly seal and store food to significantly deter pests from feeding and breeding.

Adjust Your Home’s Climate

Most pests thrive in particular climatic conditions. Adjusting your home’s climate to non-conducive conditions can act as an effective deterrent. For instance, reducing your thermostat setting during wintertime can make your home less inviting to bugs. We make sure our thermostat just ticks over at a low temperature to ensure no burst pipes but not warm enough for pests. Similarly, using a dehumidifier can help reduce indoor moisture levels, discouraging pests that thrive in damp conditions like silverfish and millipedes.

Arrange for Routine Checks

Even when taking all precautions, there’s always a small chance that pests will make their way into your home. Arranging for a trusted friend, neighbor, or a professional key holder service to routinely check your home for any signs of infestation can give you peace of mind. They can alert you if an issue arises so you can take immediate action, ensuring you arrive not to a chaotic, frustrating scene but to a tranquil, pest-free home.

Keep Your Garden Well-Maintained

A tidy garden is the first line of defense against unwanted visitors. Not only is a tidy yard visually appealing but it also plays a crucial role in preventing pest infestations. Before you travel, be in the habit of keeping shrubs, trees, and bushes maintained on your property. Dead plant material is the perfect hiding spot for unwanted pests, so make sure any waste is properly disposed of. Clear away fallen leaves and standing water, as these can also attract pests like mosquitos and termites. 

Invest in Pest Control Treatments

Our french home in normandy

Investing in preventative pest control treatments before your departure can also be significantly useful. Consult with professional exterminators to find the best options for your home. Options like insecticide sprays, bait traps, or ultrasonic pest repellers can help keep pests at bay. We have plug in pest repellers in our sockets all year round. These treatments can often last several months, ideally through your vacation and beyond.

Keeping your home pest-free while traveling involves a combination of thorough cleaning, careful maintenance of your garden, sealing potential entry points, adjusting your home’s climate, arranging for home checks, and investing in preventative pest control treatments. By seeking the advice of pest exterminators and taking these preventive measures, you can enjoy your trip without the constant worry of returning to an infested home. So set your worries aside, take the necessary precautions, and travel with the peace of mind that you’re coming back to a comfortable, pest-free home.

Author

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.