New Orleans, or NOLA as famously known, is popular for its culture, historical charm, and unique climate. However, the same warm and humid conditions that make the Big Easy so appealing also create the perfect environment for unwanted guests—pests. The pesky creatures cause significant damage, with termites alone estimated to cause over $5 billion in annual property damage in the U.S.
In that regard, no homeowner enjoys the sight of pests, whether it's roaches crawling through kitchens, termites gnawing your walls or mosquitoes buzzing around backyards. Since your New Orleans home is your sanctuary, you should be able to enjoy it without sharing it with these unwanted guests.
This is why you need to protect it from pests. Luckily, you can do this through a combination of prevention, maintenance, and professional help.
Read on to learn about the preventive measures you can use to safeguard your property and ensure it remains pest-free.
1. Conduct Routine Pest Inspections
Occasionally, pests creep in quietly and cause harm before you even realize it. Termites especially like to gnaw wood behind walls without you ever seeing them coming. You often notice their presence later on when you incur some costly repairs.
That said, professional assessments can catch problems early, preventing minor issues from turning into full-blown infestations. With this in mind, scheduling routine inspections with a pest control expert like Terminix NOLA is a smart investment.
Ideally, these professionals can spot pest indicators homeowners can't see, such as rat droppings in hidden crevices or termite tubes. If they determine you have a pest infestation, professionals can provide effective solutions that eliminate pests without causing harm.
2. Block Pest Entry by Sealing Gaps and Cracks
Most pests do not need a wide-open doorway to enter your home. A small crack, a quarter-sized hole in a wall space, or an open vent will suffice. Start by scrutinizing your house. Seal cracks or gaps on doors and windows with weather stripping or caulk.
Additionally, look at walls and foundations for crevices and fill them up, no matter how small. Conversely, vents and chimneys should have protective screens to keep rodents, birds, and insects out.
Remember that the space at your doors can also be an entry point. Ensure you use sweeps at your doors to discourage pests from crawling in. Closing off all these entryways will make it much more challenging for pests to infest your space.
3. Lower Moisture to Prevent Pests
Water is essential for survival, and pests are always seeking it out. While the New Orleans humidity already provides enough moisture, leaks, clogged gutters, and standing water make your home even more attractive. Critters like cockroaches enjoy damp environments, termites consume wood dampened by moisture, and mosquitoes breed in even small puddles.
For these reasons, you need to prioritize sealing leaks in your home. Check under sinks, plumbing fixtures, and air conditioning units for leaks or standing water. If you notice damp areas in your basement, attic, or crawl space, a dehumidifier will help to keep moisture low.
Moreover, gutter and downspouts must remain leaf- and debris-free to permit water to flow freely around your house's foundation. And if you have outdoor objects like flowerpots or birdbaths, drain their standing water occasionally.
4. Maintain a Clean and Clutter-Free Home
Pests don't need a feast to exist. Munching a few crumbs on your countertop, some stove top grease, or even that opened bag of chips in your pantry will have them returning. It’s typical for roaches, ants, and rodents to scavenge for food, and once they find a handy supply in your home, they will not depart anytime soon.
This is why you should keep your home tidy and clutter-free. Clean the countertops in your kitchen, sweep crumbs off floors and store food in sealed containers instead of flimsy packaging that can easily be gnawed through. Also, don't leave unwashed dishes in the sink every evening. Although pests are smart animals, they will have no reason to linger around if they have no food to feed on.
5. Use Natural Repellents to Repel Pests
Using chemical pesticides sometimes works, but you don't necessarily have to use them. Besides chemical repellents, most pests don't like some natural odors and substances. You can use such to repel pests and protect your home and family without using toxic chemicals.
For instance, peppermint oil is good for repelling mice and spiders. Having cotton balls soaked with peppermint oil at entrances will make them want to steer clear of those areas.
Vinegar is another miracle substance that repels ants. Spraying half vinegar and half water around doors and windows disrupts their odor trails and hinders their ability to find their way in. If you have a mosquito invasion, citronella, marigold, or lavender planted around your home can reduce their population.
6. Set Traps and Baits Where Necessary
Even with preventive measures taken, pests will eventually find their way in. In such cases, traps and baits become your best option. If you notice a few cockroaches or mice, it's best to deal with them at that point to prevent a full-blown infestation. Rodents can be managed with snap traps, glue traps, and humane catch-and-release traps. Ants and roaches can be treated with baits.
You’ll need to position the traps in key areas. Set them against walls, baseboards, or in regions that are dark and used by pests to move through. For ants, position bait stations at entry points and near food areas.
Final Thoughts
NOLA is all about the vibrant culture and eccentric climate, but this doesn't mean you should sacrifice your home to unwelcome critters. Sealing cracks, reducing moisture, keeping clean, using natural repellents, setting strategic traps, and performing regular checkups can aid you in putting up a robust line of defense against pests.
Remember that consistency is everything—even the best strategies need constant vigilance. What's successful today might need to be revised tomorrow as seasons shift and pest habits change. However, if critters keep coming in despite your best efforts, contact local pest control professionals familiar with New Orleans homeowners' challenges.
Protecting Your NOLA Home From Common Pests