Most of us have had to deal with pests at one time or another. Maybe we’ve had mice sneak into our home or garage during the colder months. Some of us have had the misery of dealing with cockroaches that we brought into our home in some boxes of food. Or maybe we’ve had an ant invasion during the summer. What these all have in common is that pests are coming into our home uninvited and will be looking for water, food cách đuổi gián trong tủ bếp, or shelter. Our goal is to get rid of any pests that we already have and to prevent new ones from entering our home. The key is to identify the sources of water, food, or shelter that are attracting them and eliminate these sources. We can use traditional pest control measures by resorting to bug sprays and mouse bait or we can use the healthier integrated pest management (IPM) approach. I suggest that we all try the IPM approach first. It is healthier for us, our pets, and the environment.
Let’s see how we can use the IPM approach. We need to think about why these pests are coming into our home. Are we providing them with sources of food, a supply of water, or a comfortable place to get out of the elements? Our waste management practices could be providing them with a feast. Trash bags should be tied off when full before placing them in a trash container. Our trash containers should have tight-fitting lids and be stored outside. These containers should be emptied frequently and be cleaned inside and out to keep food particles from attracting pests.
Another area of food attraction is our kitchen. Sometimes we overlook areas where food particles may be building up or attracting pests. Appliances used in food preparation should be thoroughly cleaned after each use. Make sure that food particles are not left behind in the sink drain area. Limit the amount of time that food is left on the counter without being stored in sealed containers or in the refrigerator. Dishes should be washed immediately after use or placed in the dishwasher. There is one more source of food that we usually don’t think about. We can confine our eating to one area, say our kitchen or dining room. By doing so it is much easier to keep our eating surface and floors free from food particles. However, if we take food throughout our home and snack in the family room and bedrooms, then we have greatly expanded feast areas for pests.
Following IPM practices is like being a CSI. Plan to spend time on your hands and knees to find out how these pests are getting into your home. Look under every sink and seal gaps around plumbing pipes. Check each wall outlet and switch plate to make sure there are no gaps. Make sure that there are no gaps or cracks in your foundation, both inside and outside. Pull soil and mulch away from the foundation and make sure downspouts are sending water away from the foundation.
To get rid of pests that have already entered our home, there are physical or chemical methods to remove or kill the pests. Physical methods are healthier for us and our pets when we can use them and are the preferred IPM approach. If chemical methods are required then use a product specifically targeted for that species. A product that promises to eradicate many species has to be more toxic than a product that is more narrowly focused. Select the least toxic solution that targets the specific problem.
When spray treatments are used, make sure that human and pet occupants are out of the area. Ventilate the space before returning. Pesticides are not healthy for our indoor air and can be triggers for allergies, asthma, and other health related problems. Therefore it’s better to focus on keeping pests out so that we don’t have to deal with them in our home. An executive feels peaceful and relaxed when he or she enters home after 16 hours of hectic work, if kept tidy, serene and airy with fragrance. The teenager gets the atmosphere to study and concentrate if his or her room is in order and well kept. The home maker will have a sigh of relief when she enters the clean, dry, odourless kitchen early in the morning.
All these positive vibrations at home are possible only when the entire house is kept spotlessly clean. The prerequisites for maintaining the house well are optimum usage of moving space as well as an intelligent arrangement of utility articles. There has to be a system of piling up disposable articles like mineral water bottles, plastic bags, newspaper/magazines etc., Today’s modern flat living culture, garbage and kitchen waste are also to be tackled on a day to day basis. Let us go segment by segment. If we take the Hall, that is, drawing room or living room, the floor to be broom and mopped every day. Sofa sets, carpets, electronic items like TV, music system etc be vacuum cleaned once in a week. The upholstery and curtains are to be changed once a month, by having another set washed or dry cleaned ready. The ceiling fans, glass windows, mirrors, and glass doors are to be cleaned every week.