Here Are The 5 BEST Types Of Pumps For A Flooded Basement

• Trash Pumps
• Electric Submersible Water Pumps
• Utility Pump
• Pool Pumps
• Hand Crank Pumps

If you are reading this guide then you probably have water in your basement or at least know someone who has a flooded basement and need a solution to pump the water out. Let us start out by saying, this is a bad situation to be in but completely solvable if you take the appropriate corrective actions.

There is no way around it right now, you will need a quality basement pump to get the water out of your flooded house. However before rushing out to buy one, you will need to understand the types of basement pumps that are available for you to remedy this problem.

But first a warning! If done incorrectly you can cause serious structural damage to your house if you remove all the water at once. This is due to water pressure that might be on the exterior of your basement walls that is currently being equalized by the water that has also flooded inside your basement.

FEMA recommends the following procedure when pumping water out of your basement in order to avoid further damage, collapse or even personal injury.

• Begin pumping when floodwaters are no longer covering the ground outside.
• Pump out one foot of water. Mark the water level and wait overnight.
• Check the water level the next day. If the level went back up (covered your mark) it is still too early to drain your basement.
• Wait 24 hours and then pump the water down one foot again. Check the level the next day.
• When the water in the basement stops returning to your mark, pump out two to three feet and wait overnight.
• Repeat daily until all the water is out of the basement.

With that out of the way, we will now get into how you can get the water out of your basement.

Trash Pumps

Our Top 3 Trash Pump Recommendations

	Best Overall	Premium Option	Cheapest Option
Picture of Pump
Pump Name	Champion Power Equipment 66525	Honda WB20XT4A	DuroMax XP650WP Trash Pump
Rating
Where To Buy	View Todays Prices	View Todays Prices	View Todays Prices

How a Trash Pump Will Help You

A trash pump is a work horse of a pump and is designed for the most extreme flooded basements. They can quickly pump large amounts of water that contains other hard and soft items typically found in flood water such as mud, leaves, sticks, sand, and thick sludge. Some trash pumps have the capability of pumping hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water out of your basement per hour.

The best trash pumps are gas powered, heavy-duty centrifugal pumps that are portable and have larger water discharge openings than other pump types. You will also need two hoses to operate a trash pump. The first hose will connect to the inlet side of the pump and needs be long enough to get into the basement and down to the bottom. The second hose will connect to the outlet of the pump and needs to be long enough to discharge the water far enough away from your house so that it doesn’t cause further issues.

If your basement is completely flooded, this is the best type of pump you will need to get the job done. They are also typically more expensive but are well worth the money and will last many years.

Electric Submersible Water Pumps

Our Top 3 Electric Submersible Water Pump Recommendations

	Best Overall	Premium Option	Cheapest Option
Picture of Pump
Pump Name	WAYNE WaterBUG Submersible Pump	Site Drainer SD 300	Superior Pump 91330
Rating
Where To Buy	View Todays Prices	View Todays Prices	View Todays Prices

How a Electric Submersible Water Pump Will Help You

If a gas powered trash pump is too much pump for your flooded basement situation, then you should consider another top water pump that has two features that are very different than a trash pump. First, an electric submersible water pump is (obviously) electric powered so you will need to ensure that you have access to a safe and dry power source to provide the pumps electricity. Second, these pumps are meant to be directly submerged under water into the flooded basement in order to suck out the water.

The best electric submersible water pumps can come in many different sizes and can move up to a few thousand gallons of water per hour, depending on the horse power of the pump. They are not as durable as a trash pump and can become clogged or damaged if your flooded basement contains a lot of mud, leaves, sticks, sand, or thick sludge. The pump sucks from the bottom and not from a hose, however there still is a discharge hose that needs to be long enough to direct the water out and away from the basement.

These pumps can also be used as a sump pump in addition to being portable for a flooded basement remediation. If your basement flood level is not all that high and the water is generally clean, you should consider an electric submersible water pump to get your basement dry again. Perhaps the best part is the price is generally much less expensive than a gas powered trash pump.

Utility Pump

Our Top 3 Utility Pump Recommendations

	Best Overall	Premium Option	Cheapest Option
Picture of Pump
Pump Name	Trupow 330GPH	Wayne PC4 55832	SumpMarine 11AA
Rating
Where To Buy	View Todays Prices	View Todays Prices	View Todays Prices

How a Utility Pump Will Help You

If you are looking for a handy way to get small amounts of water out of your basement a utility pump is a useful and inexpensive tool to have around. A lot of times a utility pump is also called a transfer pump and the names are used interchangeably. It really comes down to nomenclature or branding of the particular manufacturer of the pump.

Regardless of what you call the pump, when looking for one to buy you need to make sure the specifications meet your requirements. These pumps are a lot like trash pumps because they have two houses that attached to the inlet and outlet of the pump to transfer the water from point A to point B. The pump does not go directly into the water like electric submersible water pumps but the horse power is typically similar. They are no where near as durable as trash pumps or as powerful but they still work great if your flooded basement situation is not that extreme.

Pool Pumps

Our Top 3 Pool Pump Recommendations

	Best Overall	Premium Option	Cheapest Option
Picture of Pump
Pump Name	Pentair 340039	Hayward W3SP2610X15	Hayward W3SP1580X15
Rating
Where To Buy	View Todays Prices	View Todays Prices	View Todays Prices

How a Pool Pump Will Help You

If you find yourself in a bind and in need of a pump but can’t get your hands on one but have an inground pool, you might be able to use your pool pump. These pumps are designed to move water around the pool and not necessarily transfer water at fast rates of speed but the concept is still the same. In order to get these to work it is going to take a bit of Macgyver skills. You will need to rig it up with the pool hose into the basement and make sure the water doesn’t recycle back into the pool rather away from the house and foundation.

Unlike trash pumps that are designed to pump and withstand debris, these pumps are typically made with plastic impellers and will most likely break if your basement is flooded with debris filled water.

Hand Crank Pumps

How a Hand Crank Pump Will Help You

Last and most certainly least, is a hand crank pump. If you have exhausted all other options then this tool can also make the job slightly more bearable than carrying the water out of your basement in buckets. Perhaps there is no power, you can’t get a generator or you can not get a gas powered trash pump, if you find yourself in this situation a good old fashioned hand pump will get the job done… eventually. These pumps are typically used in wells to manually pump the water out of them so it could take some modifications to get the pump to work for your basement but it can be done.

The good part about using a hand pump is the workout your arms will get as well as an appreciation for how hard people worked before gas and electric powered tools.

Further Reading: Looking For More Information About Flooding and Home Cleaning? Check These Articles Out!

• The Truth About Buying the Cheapest Flood Insurance
• How To Get Rid Of Musty Smell In Basement
• How To Make Your House Smell Good
• 27 Indoor Air Quality Mistakes That Hurt Your Health
• 25 Best Essential Oil Diffusers for Aromatherapy

The post Best Pumps For A Flooded Basement appeared first on ISoldMyHouse.com.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Eliminate The Underlying Sources Of Bad Smells In Your Home
• Ways To INSTANTLY Make Your House Smell Amazing
  • Aromatherapy to Fill Your Home With Good Smells
  • Natural Solutions For Fresh Scents in Your Home
• Final Thoughts

Everyone loves a good smelling home and according to Scientific American, scents are proven to put a person in a good mood.

However, the flip side to a house that smells good and lift your spirits and productivity, is a house that smells bad which can have the opposite effect. A stinky home will always make your nose crinkle and have everyone running to the windows desperate to let in some fresh air. When a home smells a bit ripe, there aren’t enough fans in the world to push out those horrible aromas as quickly as possible.

The origin of some of these bad odors is often quite obvious – you cooked dinner last night with exotic spices, left some wet laundry in the washing machine or maybe your dog left a “surprise” for you in a corner.

Other odors are a little bit more of a clandestine problem, requiring some thought and exploring on your part to find the source.  Perhaps that rotten smell is radiating from behind the refrigerator or moisture is causing black mold to form somewhere in your home.

No matter what the cause for the odor, if you want to have a house that smells good, the first step is always finding and then eliminating the underlying source of each of these smells. Then you can work on filling the air with pleasant scents that appeal to you.

So to start, let’s figure out what might be causing the smelly stench in your home. Below are the most common source of bad smells in your house.

Eliminate The Underlying Sources Of Bad Smells In Your Home

When you are ready to have a house that smells awesome, you are going to want to make sure you are not just covering up a bad scent with a good one. That would only work for a few minutes and would be a waste of your time and more importantly, your money!

So take a look at each of these 9 items below that would prevent your house from smelling good and they will need to be resolved first.

If any of them apply to your home, fix that item or items. If none of them apply to your house, you can skip right to our section Ways To INSTANTLY Make Your House Smell Amazing!

Next we will take a detailed look at each of these sources of bad smells and how to you can resolve that nasty odor in your home.

1. Give your house a good “Spring Cleaning”

You can begin by cleaning your house.

Well, more than just vacuuming and dusting and wiping off the counters. Consider doing what’s called Spring Cleaning.

This type of cleaning isn’t just for those who live in areas that have really cold winters and have sealed every window and door to keep the cold out, which also keeps the dirt, dust, and odors in.

Spring Cleaning is deep cleaning that should be done periodically by everyone.

Open the windows, wipe off every surface, take the throw rugs outdoors and shake them free of dust and dirt. Have all rugs and cloth furniture such as sofas and chairs professionally steam cleaned to remove any smelly scents lurking in them.

Also wash the drapes and curtains, change the stove filter in the vent, scrub the floors, wipe down the walls and more.

This is also when the kitchen cabinets get inventoried by pulling out all canned and boxed goods in the pantry and cookware from the cupboards. Wipe down the interior of each cabinet and drawer and make note of expiration dates on the food items.

This deep cleaning will often remove the general odors that accumulate on fabrics and surfaces when the house hasn’t been aired out in a while. Accomplishing a good spring cleaning will make for a good baseline to seek and destroy the other sources that could be causing odors in your home.

2. Hidden Mold, Mildew and Fungus, YUCK!

Mold and mildew and other types of fungus can hide from your sight but not from your nose.

That earthy, musty smell will come and go depending on the moisture level and air flow in the area where it is hiding. Neither air filters nor ionizers will remove that smell. You must remove the mold, mildew, and fungus.  Find the cause, stop the source of moisture, then clean it and remove it, and you’ll remove the odor.

The Center for Disease Control says that “…mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding.”

The obvious place to check first is the bathroom. Look closely at the showerhead, tiles, shower curtains, under the rugs, pipes under the sink, and under the wastebasket. These are hiding places for mold and mildew.

Check the potted plants in various rooms. Or more accurately, check the pot and the windowsill it sits on. While there may not be standing water, there is moisture on the bottom of the pot and that can often be overlooked as a source for mildew.

In the kitchen, check under and behind the refrigerator, under the trashcan, and around the pipes under the sink.

Check in your basement for any musty smells to remove, look around your water heater, check around the basement walls for leaks. Look closely around the entire basement for mildew and mold.

Don’t skip over your washing machine or laundry area and check the connections and the walls and flooring near for moisture.

Have an attic? Definitely check the rafters for mold, the insulation for moisture, and the vents for moisture.

Anything you find you will want to have fixed and remediated ASAP. This is mandatory not only for eliminating the nasty smell but for the health of everyone who lives or enters the home.

If the mold is extensive, you should seriously consider hiring a professional mold remediation company and not risk putting your health at risk.

3. Remove Smoke Smells

If you are a smoker, you need to do something about the stale smoke smell.

Whether from cigarettes, cigars, or other tobacco products, the smoke will leave a greasy residue on furniture, walls and ceilings. Over time, this residue becomes visible, but initially, it is hidden from sight. And, as with most odors, it’s not hidden from the noise.

As a smoker, you might not even realize the impact it has on your home’s air quality. But believe me when I say that if you smoke in your house, your house smells like smoke and it’s lingering everywhere.

Removing smoke smell from a home is not a simple task, it requires a professional cleaning or a lot of effort on your part. But it needs to be done and once the smoke smell is removed you will want to stop smoking in your home or at the very least invest in an air purifier for smoke.

4. Eliminate Pet Smells (But Keep the Pets)

Hair, dirt, dander, and ‘accidents’ throughout the house.  All courtesy of our beloved pets.

While removing the pets will definitely remove the smells they bring into the house, it’s not necessary to throw the dog out or give the cat away.

Mopping the hardwood and vinyl flooring with a damp cloth or mop will pick up the offending hair and dander without tossing it into the air like when you simply sweep with a broom. Change out the filters in your HVAC system, air purifiers, and humidifiers.

Oh, and don’t forget to wash the pet’s bed. Most small beds are foam and fabric and can be tossed in the washing machine and then the dryer. The larger beds may need to be taken to a commercial laundromat or even a dry cleaner. Depending on the type of fabric, some have been made to be cleaned with basic soap and water using the garden hose.  Check the label and wash accordingly.

So keep your pets but periodically clean up the smell they leave behind. Having a loving pet in a house that smells good is sure to put you in a good mood everyday!

5. Clean the Garbage Disposal

While the garbage disposal is an excellent way to grind down stray bits of food, no matter how often you rinse with water you cannot remove all the organic bits that get stuck in the bolts and blades.

Oh, and if you lift the rubber flaps you might notice a black film on the underside. Yep, that black film and the accumulation of ground bits of food can cause a smell that will make your nose crinkle and wish you’d eaten out more often.

Fear not!

That smell can be removed by first using a vinegar and water mix on a sponge and wiping the black slime from the underside of the rubber flaps and then cutting a lemon into small pieces and throwing it, rind and all, into the disposal. Run cold water, turn on the garbage disposal, and let the citric acid do its work.

And, if the smells just won’t go away, this might be the perfect time to simply disconnect the garbage disposal and replace it with a new one. It’s a fairly simple job if you are handy or a good plumber can do it in no time.

6. Clean the HVAC Ducts

Most people don’t think of the HVAC ductwork that runs through their home as a source for odors.

Usually, we think the filters do the work of catching dust and debris as well as the smells that come with them. But, that which isn’t caught by the filter is stuck to the sides of the ductwork.

Duct cleaning, in general, includes the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, condensate drain pans aka drip pans, fan blades, and cooling coils. Some of these areas you can clean yourself with a general disinfectant and wiping down with a cloth.

As for the actual ductwork, a Shop Vac is better than a house vacuum because … well … you’re going to suck out the stuff in the ductwork and you’ll need more power than the average vacuum can give you! You will want to access the ducts so disconnecting in some areas is necessary.

Or, you can hire a professional cleaning service to come in and do it for you.

7. Prevent Stinky Sewage Gas

An odor that is really obvious is sewage gas.

Sometimes it suddenly appears after an extreme amount of rain, sometimes it slowly seeps into the house and you notice it every once in a while.

Either way, it can be rough to smell and difficult to find, but not difficult to take care of.

Look first at the basement drain and water drain p-traps in sinks and showers. If they are dried out from infrequent use, it might need to be flushed or if anything is cracked, it will need to be replaced.

The second most common source of sewer gas is the toilet, either the wax seal on the bottom needs to be replaced or the water level in the bowl dropped to low and let gas seep up into your home.

One other place to check is the vent stack. There could be a crack in it.

If you can take on these problems yourself, then it could be a simple fix. However, if you are not comfortable or your efforts don’t resolve the problem, you should call a professional plumber, this is a standard fix for them.

8. Remove Any Rodent Infestations

No one likes the thought of rodents in the walls of their house. And yet, it can and does happen in the nicest of neighborhoods.

Rodent doesn’t refer just to mice and rats. Other rodents that can cause odors and really icky smells include chipmunks, squirrels, gophers, hamsters, and gerbils. All are common rodents that can get into the house and live rent-free in the space between the walls.

Aside from the gnawing on wood and electrical wires, because they have built a home of their own, there is also their hair, dander, urine, and feces to contend with. Oh, and the occasional dead rodent will bring with it an odor that you will want to remove as quickly as possible.

If you do, indeed, have a small (or large) family of rodents in the house, removing them will remove the smell. We put together a handy guide for you on how to get rid of mice, that includes recommendations of the best mouse traps you can buy.

Keeping them out can be tricky, a mouse can enter a home through an opening the size of a dime. Find any openings and seal them up tight but don’t pass over having a professional pest remediation company assessing your situation if you need some help.

9. Get Your Garbage Under Control

Where there is garbage there is a smell. If you can find a way around that problem, let me know!

Kitchen garbage cans, bathroom trash bins, the home office trash can, and the main outside rubbish containers will hold strong smells.

Regularly emptying them will keep those garbage odors gone. But, wait…if you empty them and put the trash in outside cans, make sure you have those cans as far away from the house as is feasible. An outside trash can with food bits in it, combined with summer heat, will definitely create a smell that can put a  nasty odor in your house.

The further away from the house those cans are, the less likely that smell will waft its way in through the windows. Fortunately, this is a fairly simple fix that shouldn’t require professional help.

Ways To INSTANTLY Make Your House Smell Amazing!

Now that we eliminated any source of a bad smell that would prevent your house from smelling good no matter what you throw at it. Let’s talk about how we can make your home smell really, really good!

So what smell do you like? Is it a flowery scent with a hint of mint? Or maybe you enjoy a citrus smell, like lemon or orange?

Having your house smell amazing is based solely on your preference. And, today you have a wide variety of options to choose from for the type of aroma you want and how you want to create it. With choices that range from simmer pots to potpourri, from essential oil diffusers to air fresheners and for those who prefer a more natural option we have that for you too!

It all begins with what scent will make your house smell amazing to you.

Aromatherapy to Fill Your Home

I love the use of the word “therapy” in “aromatherapy”.  It’s been used by humans for thousands of years and for many reasons including medical and religious.

For our purposes, we’re talking about using it to promote a sense of well-being in your home. If your home smells of wonderful things that make you smile and lift your spirits, then aromatherapy is something you simply must do for yourself.

Each of these options has can be used however you think would be best to fill your home’s air with pleasant scents. Some are quick and easy and others require a bit more work but each of them work and you should try them all and see which one you like best.

Below, I’ll go into more detail on each aromatherapy option.

1. Scented Candles

Available at discount stores, boutique shops, craft fairs, and specialty shops, and in almost any size, color and scent you can imagine. The simplicity of lighting a candle and filling a room, or your home, with your favorite scent, is definitely the reason scented candles are so popular and easy to find.

2. Candle Warmers

An alternative to having an open flame with scented candles is candle warmers which are small electric appliances that come in a variety of shapes and colors and styles that fit any home décor. The way they work is simple: melt a scented candle to release the scent without the use of an open flame.

3. Essential Oil Diffusers

There are two very popular types of the best essential oil diffusers: The Nebulizer aka cold air diffuser and The Ultrasonic Cool Mist Diffuser. The Nebulizer, other than having a really cool name, is based on the principle of using an air pump to push a stream of air across a nozzle tube that is covering the essential oil. This creates a vacuum, pulling the essential oil up through the tube. The essential oil droplets hit the moving air and become micro-particles, filling a glass reservoir.

From there, the micro-particles rise and leave the glass reservoir through a glass cap and becomes a vapor released into the room. The best thing about this type of diffuser is that it doesn’t dilute the essential oil, so all of the wonderful smell associated with that oil is released into the room. An interesting point here is that this is an electric unit with an air pump, so it can be a bit noisy.

The Ultrasonic Cool Mist Diffuser has a water reservoir covered by a lid. The bottom of the unit has a small, flexible membrane that vibrates ultrasonically, passing energy to the water and breaking it up to become a vapor. This vapor is pushed into the air and carries with it the components of the essential oils, dispersing the oils into the room and helps them to stay suspended for a long time. Both offer the ability to have the full strength scent of the essential oil, so check them out and choose one that best fits your needs.

4. Simmer Pots

A small pot with a bit of water and herbs, spices, various nice smelling things thrown in and set to simmer to emit wonderful smells into the room. You can use a small pot of your own and put it on the stove or you can purchase a small electric simmer pot otherwise known as a crockpot that is used for just this purpose.

What is wonderful about simmer pots is that you can use pre-purchased potpourri available in most stores or you can create your own mix of natural ingredients based on your favorite smells. For instance, if you want your home to smell like Thanksgiving then try this recipe/mix:

• 1 Orange
• 1 Lemon
• 2 Cinnamon sticks
• 1 handful of fresh cranberries
• 1 Tablespoon of cloves

Put about 1 cup of water in a small pot and put on a stove burner set to simmer. Slice the orange and lemon into ¼” thick slices.  Clean out the ‘ends’ of each and slice the rind. Put all in the water. Add the 2 cinnamon sticks, fresh cranberries and a tablespoon of cloves. In about 30 minutes you will begin to smell the wonderful smells of Thanksgiving. You’ll need to add water every hour or two so watch the pot.

Love pumpkin? Drop a bit of pumpkin flavoring into the pot.

Love vanilla? Add a drop of extract.

The fun part is that truly you can make your own recipe.

5. Dryer Sheets

If you forget to throw them in the dryer when doing the laundry, you can use them to freshen up your clothes as you put them away in the drawers and closet. Just lay them in the drawers and between the clothing as you fold and put it away, and in the closet simply drape a sheet or two over the hanging blouse or slacks.

Because they’re infused with deodorizers and softeners, these little gems can be placed in garbage cans between the trash liner and the can. They’ll absorb odors from the garbage and help keep the air in your house fresh between trips to the trash can outside.

6. Fabric Sprays

Spray it on your smelly upholstery or blankets or clothes and eliminate that offensive odor! Oh, that sounds so good, doesn’t it?

Indeed, there are some sprays out there that will do exactly that and make your house smell amazing. But did you know you can make your own fabric spray? It’s easier than you might think.

All you need is a small spray bottle filled with water, add a bit of baking soda and mix well, now add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil. Or, if you have a need to experiment, create a scent using a couple of different essential oils. Shake well so that the baking soda, oil, and water are mixed.

Now spray on your fabric covered furniture, the throw blanket in the living room, your pillow.

7. Home Air Fresheners

Air fresheners are an inexpensive alternative to incense, essential oil diffusers, and scented candles. Especially if you want to use something daily.

Whether the air freshener is an oil, a gel, or a glob of material that slowly shrinks as it sends wonderful aromas into the air, it will last longer than the other options. You can find one that plugs in the wall socket, sits on a hard surface or is sprayed as a liquid from a bottle.

The scents available include everything from earthy and natural to flowery, from ocean breezes to fruit scents. Some air fresheners cover up bad smells and others actually purify the air by absorbing the odors and leaving the house smelling fresh.

The wonderful thing is that it’s your choice. Whatever you choose, it will help your house to smell amazing.

Natural Solutions For Fresh Scents in Your Home

If you have a concern about chemicals or oils or toxins being added to the air in your home, you can have clean, fresh air in the house and still have it smell great.

Naturally solving a problem is always a bonus and these options are a great way to do just that. Being a responsible consumer can leave a positive impact to the environment. These natural options below can leave your house smelling great with a minimal impact to our planet.

1. Houseplants

This is the perfect option if you have a green thumb! Nature’s air purifiers. Using photosynthesis, plants convert light to energy and carbon dioxide to oxygen. And while some plants have flowers that add wonderful smells to the home, there are a few plants that are especially good at purifying the air in your house. Here are a few that you just might want to pick up for your own house:

Snake Plant aka Mother-In-Law’s Tongue. This plant is extremely easy to care for because it can doesn’t need special light. It can be in full sun or a room with no windows. It needs watering every other week and an occasional wipe of the leaves to remove the dust.

Golden Pothos is an easy to care for plant as well, but it will rot if it sits in water, so keeping the soil lightly moist is pretty easy to do. It grows quickly so you will have a natural air purifier in no time at all.

Peace Lily is a plant with big, arching leaves. And when it matures it has an occasional white bloom.

Of course, there are other options available. A trip to your local home improvement store or nursery will show you the many plants you can choose from.

Experts say that to keep your house fresh smelling all you need it 1 plant for every 100 sq ft. Not bad considering that the average bedroom or office is 10′ x 10′. Get a plant, set it in the corner and have fresh air.

2. Open the Windows

Chances are good you didn’t need to be reminded of this one, but it really does need to be on the list. A house that is filled with fresh air and scents from a garden nearby will always smell amazing. Unless, of course, you live near a garbage dump or animal sanctuary.

Opening the windows on all four sides of the house will get a cross flow of air that will quickly move out the old and bring in the new.

And, if it’s Spring, Summer, or Fall, then it’s likely that there will be a breeze that helps move the air through the house.

3. Lemons and Other Fruits

We covered using lemons and oranges in simmer pots, but don’t forget that you can add other citrus fruits as well such as lime and grapefruit to the mix.

Now let’s put them to use as a natural air freshener and deodorizer by adding some salt. No, not to the water. This is something different.

What you’ll need is some sea salt, your favorite citrus fruit, some fresh herb leaves such as mint or basil, and maybe some cloves. Slice the fruit in half. Remove the fruit and pulp leaving only the rind. Pour sea salt into the rind and fill about halfway. Add either a herb leaf or some cloves.

Now place this near the source of bad odors in your home. The garbage can area, near the pet bed. Change it out every couple of days. An easy way to deodorize and freshen the air in your house, naturally.

4. Bake

For most people, and likely for you as well, nothing is better than a house that smells like fresh baked cookies, pies or bread.

It’s such a warm, cozy smell that evokes feelings of calm and comfort. So, treat yourself to some fresh-baked cookies or your favorite pie and enjoy the lingering aroma for a day or so to come.

Final Thoughts

Bad smells, strong odors, and those weird but annoying smells that fall between the bad and strong can ruin a good mood quickly. Walking in the door to our house and being greeted by an odor that makes the nose crinkle and the eyes water is even worse.

Knowing how to eliminate these odors by getting to the source and removing it is something everyone can benefit from. Even better are the numerous ways that we can make our homes inviting and comfortable to walk into with simple, easy to find products, produce, and cleaning routines.

And when you are ready to sell your house (shameless plug for us) be sure to get your house ready to sell by making sure your house smell good and continues to smell good ever day it is on the market!

The post How To Make Your House Smell Good: Aromatherapy & Natural Options appeared first on ISoldMyHouse.com.

A Realtor lockbox is ideal if you need to keep your keys to properties safe and sound but allow access to your home when you are not available.

Let’s face it, from agents, contractors, home inspectors and appraisers, people are in and out of listed properties a lot.

Getting an electronic lockbox or a combination lockbox is a surefire way to make your life much easier and keep your home and family safe while selling.

But don’t think you only can use a key lock box when you are selling a house.

Perhaps you are accustomed to leaving a key under a stone in the back yard or a flower pot on the porch? If so, the place you choose could be the first place a potential thief looks, too.

So…

Whether you want to add an additional layer of security at home or you’re looking for a real estate key lock box, This is the article for you to help find the best lockbox for your situation.

Before we launch into a comprehensive buyers guide of key lock boxes, we’ll give you the lowdown on which ones are your top options that you can buy online today!

We’ll break down real estate key lock boxes in the following categories:

Click one of the categories below to jump to that section! Or just keep reading.

• Smartphone Enabled Lockbox
• Combination Key Lock Box (Portable)
• Combination Key Lock Box (Wall Mount)
• Combination Key Lock Box (Cheap)

And without further ado, we’ll get straight down to business to simplify your quest for the best real estate key lock box for your needs.

Smartphone Enabled Lockbox

Rounding out this comprehensive look at the best real estate key lock boxes, we’ve got a trio of electronic key lock boxes you can use with your smartphone.

Image	Product Name
	Master Lock Portable Key Safe (5440D) - Our #1 Smartphone Enabled Lock Box! Check Price
	igloohome Key Lock Box Check Price
	NU-SET Electronic Key Lock Box (7010-3) Check Price

1) Master Lock Bluetooth Key Safe – Our #1 Smartphone Key Lock Box!

Price

Main Features & Functionality

If you fancy a mixture of a digital lock box and Bluetooth lock box, this combo lock box gives you the best of both worlds.

You can opt for either permanent or temporary access making this a great real estate lock box. There’s a free Master Lock eLocks app for both iOS and Android, you can use Bluetooth and your smartphone or simply enter the code manually on the keypad for total versatility.

These features make it easy for you to give unique and temporary codes for showings or any other type of access to your house. While capacity is not the greatest, you’re paying a premium here for the impressive functionality married to first-class build quality.

For an outstanding digital lock box which, while not cheap, doesn’t cost the earth either, it’s no surprise you can rely on Master Lock.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Weather-hardy metal body
• Removable shackle
• Coated protective surface

Storage Capacity

5 Standard Keys

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 3.2 (72 Reviews)

2) igloohome Key Lock Box

Price

Main Features & Functionality

If you’re tracking down a key lock box that catapults things into the twenty-first century, igloohome serves up a hard-hitting solution to key storage.

Rather than messing around with combinations, you can generate your codes remotely making this a smart method of keeping your rental properties secure without the codes being compromised.

Although space inside is restricted, you’ll be able to slip in an access card as well as a key so it’s fit for most reasonable purposes.

For a winning combo of technology, user-friendliness and absolute confidence in security, the igloohome key lock box is a strong contender for the best digital lock box up for grabs.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Zinc alloy
• Corrosion-resistant

Storage Capacity

2 Standard Keys and Access Cards

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 3.7 (33 Reviews)

3) NU-SET Electronic Key Lock Box (7010-3)

Price

Main Features & Functionality

Last but certainly not least in our search for the best digital lock box on the market is the 7010-3 from NU-SET.

With the ability to program single-use codes remotely, you’ll have no concerns about codes falling into the wrong hands so if you’re a realtor with valuable properties on your books, you can rest securely.

The lock box is spacious enough to house 10 regular keys. You’ll be able to fit a car remote inside and also access cards making this a multipurpose lock box.

With extremely robust metal housing and everything you need thrown in, this is a cheap digital lock box that will not disappoint.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Metal casing
• All hardware included
• Highly durable and weatherproof

Storage Capacity

10 Keys and Access Cards

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 3.3 (16 Reviews)

Combination Key Lock Box (Portable)

We’ve got the 10 top portable combination key lock box reviews for anybody looking for a convenient and cost-effective key storage solution.

Image	Product Name
	Master Lock Portable Key Safe (5424D) - Our #1 Combination Key Lock Box Check Price
	Master Lock Portable Key Safe (5400D) Check Price
	Master Lock Portable Key Safe (5422D) Check Price
	Realtor Key Lock Box Check Price
	321 Locks Key Lock Box Check Price
	WordLock Key Storage Box Check Price
	Vault Locks 5000 Key Storage Lock Box Check Price
	KeyGuard Shackle Lock Box Check Price
	KeyGuard SL-500 Lockbox Check Price
	AVANTEK Key Lock Box Check Price

1) Master Lock Portable Key Safe (5424D) – Our #1 Combination Key Lock Box

Price

Main Features & Functionality

This Master Lock lock box shows clearly why this brand dominates this space with a durable, weather-resistant combo lock box at a price you’ll love.

The resettable, 4-digit combination can be easily read thanks to the way the dials light up when you flip open the plastic cover.

An oversized, ergonomic release catch makes operating this real estate key lock box a breeze. You can hang it over most door knobs fuss-free.

For a durable, affordable outdoor key lock box, the legendary 5424D is hard to beat.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Extremely well-made and durable
• Metal body and shackle with vinyl cover
• Molded, scratch-resistant bumper

Storage Capacity

5 Standard Keys and Access Card

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 4.4 (3447 Reviews)

2) Master Lock Portable Key Safe (5400D)

Price

Main Features & Functionality

The 5400D is the portable version of the 5424D coming in at a cheaper price point but minus the lighted dials.

While you’ll get ample space for 5 regular keys, this model is slightly cramped if you need to store access cards so bear this in mind.

The 5400D is a superb outdoor key lock box thanks to its heavy-duty weather-proofing. You won’t experience any jamming even if there’s a thick frost outside.

Alongside a highly secure lock box built to stay the distance, you’ll get a limited lifetime warranty which is more than you can normally expect at this price point.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Usual Master Lock build quality and durability
• Die-cast zinc body and shackle with vinyl cover
• Molded, scratch-resistant bumper

Storage Capacity

5 Standard Keys and Access Card

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 4.4 (3447 Reviews)

3) Master Lock Portable Key Safe (5422D)

Price

Main Features & Functionality

Another Master Lock lock box which is a flawed gem. Front and center, the price point is so attractive that minor inconveniences can be overlooked if you’re purely hunting for a bargain.

One serious drawback of this portable key box lock is that the combination can be entered in any order. That is, if your combination is 1234 and you enter 4321 instead, you’re in. This obviously compromises the extra security built in by using letters alongside numbers.

The other disadvantage is that capacity is rather cramped. Some users uncharitably complain it accommodates just one key. We would say 4 is a more reasonable estimate but you’ll need to detach the key rings.

Overall, this is a solid budget option if you’re looking for a durable safe spot for a spare house key. If you’re after a real estate key lock box, you’re better off examining some of the other models we review.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Weather-resistant and built to stay the distance
• Metal body and shackle with vinyl cover

Storage Capacity

4 Standard Keys Without Key Fobs

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 4.1 (337 Reviews)

4) Realtor Key Lock Box

Price

Main Features & Functionality

First thing’s first, despite the name, this cheap lock box is not ideal for realtors. The conservative storage capacity means it’s far better suited if you want to keep a spare key in the back garden at home.

Cheap lock boxes always involve a degree of compromise, though. The other common complaint is that you can enter the combination in any order which detracts from the security side of things by minimizing the number of options a burglar needs to guess. That said, it’s still wildly unlikely someone will chance upon the correct combination.

This combo lock box works best with regular door keys. If you have a set of car keys with an alarm or access cards for apartments, you’ll struggle to fit them inside.

Overall, though, this lock box is more than fit for purpose if you’re realistic about your expectations.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Solid enough for outdoor use
• Zinc alloy
• Plastic casing

Storage Capacity

4 Standard Keys Without Key Fobs, No Car Keys or Access Cards

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 3.2 (20 Reviews)

5) 321 Locks Key Lock Box

Price

Main Features & Functionality

Next up is another cheap lock box, this time from 321 Locks. While you might not get the brand prestige of Master Lock, you’ll be rewarded with a solid storage solution at an attractive price point.

We should point out that while this heavy-duty lock box looks like it will last for years, you might experience some issues with the mechanism and screws over time. We’ll add that you really need to consider the pricing before complaining too hard about this.

The waterproof nature of the outer makes this a fantastic outdoor key lock box at a pocket-friendly price point.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Really heavy duty
• Metal body and shackle
• Waterproof casing

Storage Capacity

5 Keys but No Access Cards

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 3.8 (64 Reviews)

6) WordLock Key Storage Box

Price

Main Features & Functionality

Whether you’re a car lover with multiple vehicle keys or a busy real estate agent needing space for plenty of apartment keys or access cards, the WordLock is a cheap lock box with a difference…

Rather than using numbers like with the average combination key lock box, you enter a series of letters instead making the whole thing a great deal more secure. The only snag is that these letters on the dials don’t run alphabetically so finding your chosen word can feel like playing a video game in real life.

With build quality uppermost, this rugged and weather-proofed combo lock box is well worth popping on your shortlist.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Stainless steel bolt and cylinder
• Non-corrosive
• Rust-resistant

Storage Capacity

30 Standard Keys, All Car Keys, Access Cards

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 4.1 (159 Reviews)

7) Vault Locks 5000 Key Storage Lock Box

Price

Main Features & Functionality

If you’re hunting down a brightly lit key lock box with oversized numbers, this is not for you. If, however, you want a really long-lasting storage solution for a handful of keys or access cards, the Vault Locks 5000 makes perfect sense.

The bumper is rubberized so you won’t end up scuffing up the paintwork of your door if you choose to hang this combo lock box from the knob.

With 10,000 combinations at your disposal and no key to potentially lose, this is a secure real estate key lock box that doesn’t cost a fortune yet still delivers secure results.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• High-grade metal casing
• Rubber bumper
• Molded, scratch-resistant bumper

Storage Capacity

4 Keys, Most Car Keys, Access Cards

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 4.1 (192 Reviews)

8) KeyGuard Shackle Lock Box

Price

Main Features & Functionality

KeyGuard serves up a top-notch realtor key lock box which might not be the cheapest on the market but still represents outstanding value.

Compared to some more cramped cheap lock boxes, you’ll be spoiled for space with the KeyGuard. Without fobs or key rings, you’ll be able to cram up to 30 keys inside this nifty device. If you scale that number down slightly, you’ll be able to store them without removing the fobs.

The supersized numbers are a cinch to read. Like many lock boxes, you don’t need to enter the combination in sequence which is less than ideal. On the plus side, it’s easier to remember!

For a combination of sterling build quality, a long lifespan, generous storage capacity from a brand you can trust, this lock box is hard to find fault with.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Aluminum frame
• ABS-coated vault
• Scratch-resistant design

Storage Capacity

30 Keys, All Car Keys, Fobs, Access Cards

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 3.8 (661 Reviews)

9) KeyGuard SL-500 Lockbox

Price

Main Features & Functionality

Much like its bigger brother, the KeyGuard SL-500 lockbox should last for years thanks to the solid aluminum structure with a rubberized casing for protection.

Although you won’t get anything like the storage capacity with this smaller model, you should comfortably fit several keys inside and there’s still room for access cards if you need to cater for apartments.

Whether you want a durable outdoor lock box or a combo lock box for your real estate agency, the KeyGuard deserves a place on any shortlist of the best lock boxes.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Aluminum frame
• ABS-coated vault
• Scratch-resistant design

Storage Capacity

5 Standard Keys, Access Cards

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 3.8 (661 Reviews)

10) AVANTEK Key Lock Box

Price

Main Features & Functionality

Last but by no means least in our list of the best portable combination key lock boxes is a fairly inexpensive but substantial lock box from AVANTEK.

Suitable for housing up to 20 keys and ideal for car remotes and any kind of credit card or access card, this is a cheap lock box that punches above its weight.

Build quality and longevity is first-class with a combination of stainless steel for security and rigidity along with anti-scratch plastic to keep your paintwork scuff-free.

With a very generous warranty and friendly, speedy customer care, if you’re looking for a cheap lock box that won’t stiff you in terms of performance, this AVANTEK makes a smart choice.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Reinforced stainless steel body
• Hardened steel shackle
• Coated with anti-oxidation agent
• Plastic bumper

Storage Capacity

20 Keys, Car Keys and Remotes, Access Cards

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 4.1 (36 Reviews)

Combination Key Lock Box (Wall Mount)

Now you’ve seen 10 of the very best portable combination lock boxes, we’ll guide you through 5 solid wall-mounted models that we think are the best options out there currently.

Image	Product Name
	ORIA Wall-Mounted Key Lock Box Check Price
	Master Lock Key Lock Box Wall-Mounted Safe Check Price
	Master Lock Wall-Mounted Safe (5401D) Check Price
	Master Lock Key Box (5423D) Check Price
	KeyGuard Pro Outdoor Key Lock Box (SL-590-CVR) Check Price

1) ORIA Wall-Mounted Key Lock Box

Price

Main Features & Functionality

If you want a wall-mounted lock box so you can keep all your keys safe from prying eyes instead of popping them under a stone by the pond, this ORIA is a wise bet.

Although you’ll only be able to stash 5 keys inside, the lock box is strong enough to resist any attempts to break in and built to endure.

The regulation 10,000 combination options mean you shouldn’t encounter any security problems if you use this lock box for your real estate agency. Bear in mind, this is not the ideal storage box if you need to keep access cards inside since it’s a little on the small side.

Taking the incredibly competitive price into consideration, this is a strong contender for the best cheap lock box on the market.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Steel and zinc alloy body
• Eco-friendly paint

Storage Capacity

5 Standard Keys

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 4.4 (196 Reviews)

2) Master Lock Key Lock Box Wall-Mounted Safe

Price

Main Features & Functionality

You know precisely where you stand with a Master Lock lock box and this wall-mounted model boasting a lighted keypad is a great method of streamlining your real estate business. Put an end to constantly juggling keys with agents and contractors and use this wall-mounted safe instead.

While the 5425D is a little pricier than some of the lower-end Master Lock models, you’ll get the convenience of mounting this unit on the wall along with the quality and durability you fully expect from Master Lock.

Capacity is a little limited so if you need to store a huge bunch of keys, you’re better off looking at a lock box with a more expansive capacity.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Exceptionally durable
• Metal body with vinyl cover
• Plastic, scratch-resistant bumper

Storage Capacity

5 Standard Keys and Access Card

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 4.4 (3447 Reviews)

3) Master Lock Wall-Mounted Safe (5401D)

Price

Main Features & Functionality

As you can see from these reviews, Master Lock really does dominate this field with a vast array of lock boxes including the 5401D, one of the cheaper storage solutions on the market.

As with the other lock boxes at the lower end of Master Lock’s range, you’ll only get 5 keys inside but that should be more than enough for most needs.

From the outstanding build through to the ergonomic mechanism and peace of mind you’ll get knowing your keys are safe and sound, investing in the Master Lock 5401D is a great way to add a layer of security to your operation without breaking the bank.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Solid and durable
• Metal body and shackle with vinyl cover
• Plastic bumper

Storage Capacity

5 Standard Keys and Access Card

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 4.4 (3447 Reviews)

4) Master Lock Key Box (5423D)

Price

Main Features & Functionality

Our last Master Lock lock box in this category, the 5423D as usual does not disappoint. You would expect nothing less than the best from this manufacturer.

Although the 5423D is not exactly a cheap lock box, you’re buying into a brand you can trust and you’ll end up with a robust and permanent security solution that will help the day to day running of your real estate business.

You can use letters, numbers or a combination of both for total flexibility.

The usual metal body and plastic, scratch-resistant bumper complete another winning package from Master Lock.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Weather-resistant
• Metal body and shackle with vinyl cover
• Plastic bumper

Storage Capacity

5 Standard Keys and Access Card

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 4.1 (337 Reviews)

5) KeyGuard Pro Outdoor Key Lock Box (SL-590-CVR)

Price

Main Features & Functionality

To round out our wall-mounted combination lock boxes, another entry from the highly reputable KeyGuard with the SL-590-CVR.

The metal body is protected by a plastic cover so you won’t end up with damaged paintwork in pursuit of security. The body is highly resistant to corrosion and, if you use this as an outdoor key lock box, it’s also neatly safeguarded by a plastic cover.

The keys on the alphanumeric pad are perhaps slightly small for some tastes but they are fit for purpose and fairly responsive.

For a no-nonsense outdoor lock box that gives you all you need and nothing you don’t, check out this fine example at your earliest convenience.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Non-ferrous metal
• Plastic cover

Storage Capacity

5 Standard Keys, Access Cards

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 3.8 (661 Reviews)

Cheap Key Lock Box

Not everyone wants to invest a significant sum on security, so we’ll round out our section on combination key lock boxes with a look at some budget models.

Image	Product Name
	Lion Locks 2100 Lock Box Check Price
	Master Lock Key Safe (5406D) Check Price
	Vault Locks Key Lock Box (3200) Check Price
	Puroma Key Lock Box Check Price
	FJM Security Key Box (SL-700W) Check Price

1) Lion Locks 2100 Lock Box

Price

Main Features & Functionality

Kicking off our 5 cheap lock boxes is a basic but functional model from Lion Locks that’s great for realtors or homeowners.

Fashioned from solid metal that will stand up admirably to the elements, this makes a great outdoor lock box you can hang up on the knob fuss-free.

One drawback of this lock box is that you can only make use of letters. This complicates things if you enjoy using the same passcode across all devices but, on the plus side, it offers extra security.

For a cheap lock box, though, this Lion Locks is tough to beat.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Metal throughout
• Long lifespan

Storage Capacity

5 Standard Keys

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 4.0 (27 Reviews)

2) Master Lock Key Safe (5406D)

Price

Main Features & Functionality

If you’re looking for a cheap lock box but you also want to buy into a brand you can rely on, this Master Lock lock box is the ideal solution.

With the usual focus on materials, longevity and security uppermost, the 5406D is also priced at less than a round of drinks. While it’s certainly not the optimum realtor’s lock box, if you want to keep your spare house key safe and close at hand, this model is perfectly suited.

You can mount this lock box on a door handle with ease and the plasticized cover makes sure you won’t end up with unsightly scuff marks all down the door.

The crowning glory is a limited lifetime guarantee which is more than you could hope for in a cheap key lock box.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Robust and durable
• Metal body with vinyl cover
• Plastic, scratch-resistant bumper

Storage Capacity

1-2 House Keys, No Access Cards

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 4.0 (280 Reviews)

3) Vault Locks Key Lock Box (3200)

Price

Main Features & Functionality

Currently available at an aggressive discount, if you’re on the trail of a cheap key lock box without ending up with a shoddy product that will give up the ghost after a year, the Vault Locks 3200 is the obvious choice.

Designed to fend off any unwelcome attempts to break in, the metal body is rugged while protected by a rubberized bumper as are most of the best lock boxes on the market.

Users report storage space as enough for 2 to 4 keys. We’d say you can fit 4 in without too much trouble but you certainly won’t shoehorn any access cards inside so bear in mind this is relatively limited in terms of storage space.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Reinforced metal body
• Built to withstand sawing or hammering
• Protective rubber bumper

Storage Capacity

4 House Keys, No Access Cards

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 4.0 (161 Reviews)

4) Puroma Key Lock Box

Price

Main Features & Functionality

The trade-off with many cheap lock boxes is longevity and many users report issues over time with the Puroma. That said, if you remain realistic about what to expect from a storage solution at this low cost, you might just be pleasantly surprised.

You can comfortably store 4 keys inside. There’s room for access cards or fobs too if your car has a remote control or you live in an apartment with key cards.

If you’re hunting down a bulky realtor’s lock box, the Puroma is not the way forward. If you’re a homeowner on a budget, though, this nifty little device is absolutely ideal.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• High-grade steel
• Zinc alloy
• Plastic cover

Storage Capacity

4 Keys and Access Cards

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 3.9 (106 Reviews)

5) FJM Security Key Box (SL-700W)

Price

Main Features & Functionality

While you won’t get the plastic casing that protects a door lock box from scraping the paintwork on your doors, if you’re searching for an outdoor lock box fit to stay the distance, the SL-700W from FJM is a smart choice.

The combination dial is a cinch to operate and, in line with most of these lock boxes, you’ll be able to choose from 10,000 possible combinations.

Most of these real estate lock boxes are pretty much interchangeable but the FJM has an important distinction…

With one combination on the shackle and another on the door, you’ll enjoy a belt-and-braces approach to keeping your keys safe from harm.

Build Quality, Materials & Durability

• Steel casing
• All-metal throughout

Storage Capacity

5-6 Standard Keys

Customer Ratings

Amazon Rating 3.2 (771 Reviews)

Key Lock Boxes Buyers Guide

Overall Features of Lockboxes

Key lock boxes are simple but ingenious contraptions.

• Security: The core purpose of a key lock box is to keep your keys and thereby your property safe. Your uppermost concern should be how easily the lock box you have in mind deters casual thieves. While there’s no defense against a pro wielding an angle grinder, make sure the key lock box is fully secure.
• Overall Build Quality: You want a lock box that’s durable enough to withstand the elements, and built to last. The result of a well-built door lock box is the security you need first and foremost.
• User-Friendliness: It’s senseless having a rugged lock box made from the best materials if it’s awkward to use. Road test the lock box you have in mind first. If you’re unable to try before you buy, focus on reading plenty of user reviews and double down on user-friendliness. There’s no right or wrong answer to what constitutes ease of use. It’s a question of getting what works for you and your needs.
• Storage Capacity: If you’re a homeowner looking to stash a single back door key, you’ll have very different requirements to a realtor needing space for multiple keys and potentially access cards. Again, concentrate on what makes sense for you in terms of storage capacity.
• Price: Price should always be a factor but never the determining factor when you’re looking for a real estate key lock box. While there are plenty of cheap lock boxes on the market, you need to make sure you don’t get stiffed in terms of performance by pursuing a bargain.
• Style: The main categories of lock box are combination lockboxes and electronic lockboxes.

Difference Between Combination Lockboxes and Electronic Lockboxes

With a combination lockbox, you simply need to use 3-4 pre-set digits so you can do away with the need for a key. You turn a simple dial and, once the passcode is correct, you can open your lock box.

Some of these combination lock boxes allow you to punch in the numbers on a keypad instead of twisting a dial.

Electronic lockboxes offer you the same key-less convenience along with added functionality like scheduled access and wireless connectivity.

Which is the best option, though?

Which Is More Safe When Selling and Why

If you’re a real estate agent entrusted with someone else’s property, security is a driving concern.

The same is true if you’re using a key lock box to protect your own home.

Unfortunately, combination locks of all varieties do present a slight security risk if encountered by a committed thief hell-bent on breaking in.

An electronic lock box is more safe when selling as accessing this type of storage box is far more difficult.

What Is a Supra Lock Box

If you’re a real estate agent looking for enhanced security when stashing the keys to you listings, an electronic lock box is well worth considering.

Much as a vaccum is commonly called a Hoover in the UK, so these electronic lock boxes are routinely referred to by brand name thanks to the Supra lock box.

A company owned by GE, Supra is a hard-hitter in this space and sells these lock boxes in bulk through Realtor Associations.

They’re not cheap and you can’t buy a single Supra lock box so why should you think about getting one at all?

Well, you can arrange for scheduled access so the box can only be opened at a certain time. You can enjoy connectivity through a cell phone if you invest in an e-key to partner the device.

If you’ve got a full service realtor, using a Supra box is a fantastic way to keep all your keys safe and sound thanks to this intelligent, convenient storage application.

But if you are selling your house as a FSBO than this type of lockbox is not for you.

OK…

Wrap-Up

We very much hope you’ve enjoyed this comprehensive look at the best real estate lock boxes on the market.

Whatever style or budget you have in mind, we’ve tried to include something for everyone here today.

Drop us a comment in the section below and let us know what you think or if you have any questions for us.

The post Best Realtor Lock Boxes For Keys appeared first on ISoldMyHouse.com.

What Are Washer and Dryer Dimensions?

So you’re in the market for a new washer and dryer? With the recent developments in washer and dryer efficiency, design, and size, it’s no wonder you’re on the lookout for a new machine.

If there is one essential step in searching for a new washer and dryer that trips people up, it’s the size. If you fall in love with a washer and dryer on the floor of an appliance store, you may judge its size incorrectly. This realization can be a real headache.

Arriving home with an appliance that won’t fit near the electrical outlet or water hookup means you’ll have to spend more time searching for a proper fit.

But what exactly are washer and dryer dimensions? The truth is, the measurements depend on which type of washer and dryer you buy.

Luckily, in this article, we’ll go through all the different types of washer and dryer sizes.

Tips For Measuring For a Washer and Dryer

To measure a washer and dryer, the tools you’ll need are a tape measure. Always remember there are three measurements you need to record:

• Height
• Width
• Depth

The first step of any washer or dryer measurement is figuring out what can and can’t fit in your space. For example, some homes have built-in cabinets around their washer and dryer. The cabinets might be designed for stacking, which means they won’t fit a side-by-side unit.

Another aspect to remember is to leave appropriate space for integral pieces of the appliances. Water hookups, electrical outlets, and exhaust systems need space behind or beside your washer and dryer. Always add six inches to the depth dimension for a proper fit.

Additionally, you can also leave space between the washer and dryer, although it’s not necessary. By leaving a one-inch space between your walls, your washer, and your dryer, you can reduce the amount of noise it makes while running.

Standard Washer and Dryer Dimensions (Full Size)

A standard washer and dryer refer to a top-load washer and a front-load dryer. These are the most common type of washers and dryers you can find in North America.

A standard washer and dryer share the same dimensions, although some slight differences between the two appliances dictate their need for space. The dimensions for a standard washer and dryer are:

• Width: 27 inches
• Depth: 32-34 inches
• Height: 39 inches

Top-load washers need to have space above them, while front-load dryers need space in front of them. Ensure there aren’t any items blocking the doors from opening. Give your washer and dryer approximately 20 inches in front of or 10 inches above the doors, depending on your setup.

How Much Space Do You Need?

With a width of 27 inches and a depth of 34 inches, you would need a space that is 57 inches wide and 40 inches deep to fit a standard washer and dryer side-by-side. As for height, you want an area approximately 50 inches tall.

Front-Load Washers and Dryers

Front-load washers and dryers have become some of the best-selling appliances on the market. These units don’t have many different spatial requirements than standard washers and dryers. The main difference is the amount of space above and in front of the appliances.

The dimensions of a front-load washer and dryer are:

• Width: 27 inches
• Depth: 28-34 inches
• Height: Varies

The reason why height can vary is because of pedestal attachments. These attachments add 12-inches to the height for more comfortable loading and unloading. Appliances without the pedestal are usually 35-40 inches tall, while the pedestal can make it 47-52 inches tall.

For front-loading appliances, you’ll need a space that’s 57 inches wide and 40 inches deep. As for height, your space can be the exact height of the washer. Since you don’t load the washer from above, you don’t need to account for extra space.

Compact Washer and Dryer Dimensions

Compact washers and dryers are popular in apartments and other small spaces. These appliances pack in the same washing capability in a smaller, more compact package. The dimensions of compact washers and dryers are:

• Width: 24 inches
• Depth: 24-26 inches
• Height: 33-36 inches

Most compact washers and dryers are front-load, which means you have options for your layout. If you want side-by-side machines, you’ll need a space that’s 51 inches wide, 32 inches deep, and at least 37 inches high.

If your compact washer and dryer are capable of being stacked, you’ll have much different space requirements. You’ll need a space with a width of 26 inches, a depth of 32 inches, and a height of at least 73 inches.

Mega-Capacity Washers and Dryers

Mega-capacity washers and dryers are capable of washing 5.2 cubic feet of laundry at once. For comparison, standard and front-load washers usually have a capacity of 3.1 cubic feet. That means you can do almost double the amount of laundry in one load.

With a larger internal capacity comes a larger external frame. Mega-capacity washers and dryers have dimensions of:

• Width: 27-30 inches
• Depth: 28-33 inches
• Height: 40-44 inches

Mega-capacity washers and dryers aren’t meant to be stacked on one another, which means you need to have space for a side-by-side configuration. So, you’ll need a maximum space that’s 63 inches wide, 39 inches deep, and 45 inches tall.

Stackable Washer and Dryer Dimensions

Stackable washers and dryers, as mentioned before, are a great way to save space in your home. The one issue is finding a space tall enough to fit these appliances. On average, you’ll need to find an area with a height in excess of 80 inches.

But before we get into the dimensions, we should distinguish between unitized and regular stackable washers and dryers. Stackable washers and dryers are separate front-load appliances. The washer is designed to withstand the weight of the dryer stacked on top.

Unitized washers and dryers work differently as the washer is top-load, while the dryer is front-load. Both appliances are attached instead of just being stacked. Usually, unitized systems are smaller than their regular stackable counterparts.

Unitized Washer and Dryers

Unitized washers and dryers are a good fit for anyone living in an apartment building because they fit in the average closet. By putting a unitized washer and dryer in your closet, you’ll save tons of space in your home. The average dimensions of a unitized appliance are:

• Width: 24-27 inches
• Depth: 27 inches
• Height: 70-75 inches

For a unitized washer and dryer, you want to ensure your space is at least 29 inches wide, 33 inches deep, and 76 inches tall. When you’re choosing a space, make sure installation won’t be a hassle.

For example, if you plan on putting the unit in a closet, make sure it can fit through the door. If you plan on carrying the unit up a flight of stairs, ensure the box can fit through without damaging your walls.

Stackable Washer and Dryers

Stackable washers and dryers are among the most popular types of washer configurations. They are front-load machines that take up far less floor space than a standard washer or a side-by-side configuration. The dimensions of an average stackable washer and dryer are:

• Width: 24-27 inches
• Depth: 32 inches
• Height: 70-75 inches

When you’re looking for a space to fit your stackable washer and dryer, account for a space that’s 29 inches wide, 38 inches deep, and 76 inches tall.

Tips for Finding the Right Washer and Dryer

Specific washers and dryers always have unique dimensions. When you’re shopping for a new washer and dryer, always measure twice before buying. You can find the dimensions for specific appliances by going to the manufacturer’s website, such as LG, Samsung, Maytag, or any other appliance manufacturer.

The size of the washer you need depends on how much laundry you do. If you’re a family with children, buying a full or mega-capacity washer and dryer is for you. That way, you’ll have to do fewer loads and have more time for other activities.

But if you live on your own, you may want to invest in a compact model. Compact models are often more energy-efficient than their larger counterparts, which will save you money in the long run.

If you’re considering getting a top-load washer, you should also understand the washing instruments. Top-load washers have either an agitator or an impeller instrument. The agitator is a central post that twists back and forth during the wash. The clothes then rub against each other and the agitator, removing any dirt or stains.

An impeller causes the clothes to rub against each other, but not with a central post. Instead, an impeller is a small disc at the base of the washing machine. As it spins, it causes the clothes to rotate and come into contact, releasing any dirt or stains.

You may have heard that agitators are tough on clothes. Luckily, new developments have made them gentler, so you won’t worry about damage. The main difference between the two models is that impellers use much less water than agitator models.

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Table of Contents

• First, Protect Yourself From Additional Risk and Hazards Before Entering Your Home
• What To Inspect and Test When Entering Your Home After a Flood
• Contact Your Insurance Company for Flooded Home Coverage
• Clean Up the Flood Mess in Your House
• Repair the Flood Damage
• Look Into Government Assistance Programs

 

A flood can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of property damage, endanger lives, and, at worst, leave you homeless. If you live in an area that’s prone to flooding, don’t panic. You just need to know your options and how to recover if your home floods.

You may not be able to divert the disaster, but you can be prepared to take the right steps forward. Follow this guide to learn how to protect your home and bounce back if a flood hits your home.



First, Protect Yourself From Additional Risk and Hazards Before Entering Your Home

 

The danger lingers after a flood passes, and the water level goes down. First, keep in mind that the flood may return, despite other indications.

Secondly, the water may have compromised the structural integrity of your home, which means it may not be safe to go back inside. With a flood comes dangerous debris, contaminated water, and displaced wildlife, so approach the situation with caution.

Check with local authorities

If you stayed in your home during the flood, contact emergency services to verify that it’s safe to stay after the flood is over. If the flood returns or left behind potential health hazards in your home, it may make your home unsafe for you and your family.

If you evacuated before the flood hit, confirm with emergency services that the threat has passed and that you can return to your local area. If the authorities say don’t go back yet, listen to them. They’re checking out the scene, so you don’t have to put yourself or your family in danger.

Contact the electrical company and/or contractors

After the immediate threat is gone and the authorities declare your area safe, contact your utility company to turn off your electricity, gas, and water. Then, perform a safety inspection of your home yourself or contact a contractor to do it for you. 

The point of the safety inspection is to verify that the flood has not compromised your water, gas, sewer, or electrical connections. If these utilities are turned on before performing the safety inspection, there’s a higher risk of experiencing an otherwise preventable accident.

Avoid entering your flooded home unless you’re sure the main power is shut off. Even if the power is out, it’s best to turn the power off from your fuse box before investigating the potential damage in your home. Leaving the power off ensures that if the power comes back on, you won’t be stuck in water with exposed wiring and live electrical connections. Keep your gas and water off until you verify that there aren’t any leaks.

If you choose to use a contractor for your home’s safety inspection, get someone who is appropriately licensed and who has the experience, tools, and skillset to handle your situation. Choosing to do the inspection yourself, or having an unqualified person do it, could lead to significant damage going unnoticed. Neglected problems will worsen the condition of your home both now and in the future.

Ensure the home is structurally sound

Don’t underestimate the power of a flood. They can hit your home hard enough to ruin its structure and make it unsound. Aside from that, water damage to the walls, floor, ceiling, foundation, and more can turn your property into an accident waiting to happen.

It’s best to have a professional check your property for visible structural damage. Tell-tale signs that a building may be structurally unsafe are:

• Groaning and creaking sounds that weren’t there before
• Leaning home instead of upright structure
• Warped, broken, or loosened elements

Use a bright flashlight to carry out your inspection and catch any details that seem out of place.
If the home is uninhabitable, leave. Find somewhere you can stay until your home is safe again. Even if it appears safe, it’s best to stay elsewhere until the house is clean and dried out. 

If you have nowhere else to go, do your best to keep you and your family safe by first cleaning the home and lighting it—preferably not with electricity—to avoid trip and fall accidents.



What To Inspect and Test When Entering Your Home After a Flood

 

It’s your job as the owner of a property to make sure it doesn’t take further damage after a flood. You can do this by securing your home with boards over broken doors and windows, a tarp over damaged portions of the roof, and other safety measures.

Before you start, you first must inspect the property to determine its safety and the extent of the property damage. To be able to do this effectively, you need to know what you’re looking for and how to look for it.

Overall home inspection

Only go into your home after a qualified electrician verifies the main power is off and says it’s safe to go inside.

Once you enter your home, some of the damage may be obvious, while you’ll have to look a little harder for other issues. To ensure you’re getting a thorough inspection, have it done by a professional. 

If you insist on inspecting the home yourself after a flood, look out for the following:

• Distorted or warped floorboards, stairs, and other wood structures
• Severe wood rot in lumber structures
• Termite and other pest infestation
• Damage to the building’s foundation
• Damage to the roof, such as holes, missing shingles, and other miscellaneous pieces
• Wet plaster, wallboard, paneling, and insulation

These are all visible damages from the flood. But what about underlying problems?

For those, you need a licensed professional who will inspect the following:

• Sewage connections
• Water connections
• Walls and ceilings
• Air ducts, air conditioning, and heating systems
• Electrical systems

While the inspection is underway, take photos or record videos. This evidence is essential for when you have to file an insurance claim. Be sure to keep a record of the measures you’ve taken to prevent further damage to your home, like if you’ve boarded the windows.

Electrical systems

We can’t stress enough the importance of being careful with electrical connections in a home that’s still drying out after a flood. If your home still has power when everything is soaked, not only is there a danger of you getting electrocuted, but there’s also a fire hazard.

There are a couple of basic rules when it comes to electricity after a flood. Do not touch the fuse box or circuit breaker if your hands are wet or you’re standing in water.

Do not try restoring power or using any electronic appliances in the house until the property is completely dry. Drying will take days, and once your home is dried out, you’ll need an electrician’s approval before you can do any further work.

If you have any electronics in the house that were affected by the flood, have a professional clean and dry them before you see if they still work. Electrical devices and components like those listed below aren’t usually salvageable after submersion, and you’ll need to replace them.

• Heaters
• Fans
• Circuit breakers
• Fuses
• Wiring systems
• Outlets
• Light fixtures and switches
• Thermostats
• Computers

Should I have my home tested for mold?

To be on the safe side, you can have a professional test your home for mold. You could save money by doing your mold detection yourself, but we don’t advise it since mold can become a big problem, and fast.

Mold isn’t hard to spot once you know what to look for. If you notice any of the following, you likely have a mold problem:

• Textured growth on your wall, floor, or ceiling. The growth may be green, black, or another color
• Discoloration on your walls or ceilings
• A musty, earthy odor around the house
• Experiencing allergic reactions, such as a runny nose, difficulty breathing, and irritated eyes

You can avoid a mold problem by air drying your home as quickly as possible and getting rid of water-logged furniture and items. Even if that doesn’t prevent a mold problem, it’ll minimize its severity and lower the cost of fixing it. The fewer expenses you have, the better.



Contact Your Insurance Company for Flooded Home Coverage

 

You need to start the process of recovering your home as soon as the floodwater drops to safe levels. The most crucial step in the recovery process is properly filing a flood damage claim. But this is only possible if you have flood insurance before the flood. Regular homeowners insurance doesn’t cover these types of damages.

What is covered by homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance financially protects your home and personal belongings against accidents like fire and theft. Your coverage depends on the insurance company and the specific type of policy you have. Generally, homeowners insurance covers:

• Your home and other structures on your property
• Personal belongings within your property
• Liability for damage to someone else’s property or injuries

Typical homeowners insurance will help pay to repair or replace your home and belongings after a fire, lightning, windstorm, or hail. But home insurance doesn’t cover damage to a home caused by earthquakes and floods.

Even if your homeowners insurance covers water damage, that’s different from flood damage, and homeowners insurance won’t cut it.

What is covered by flood insurance?

If you live in an area prone to flooding, get flood insurance before a disaster strikes. It takes some of the stress out of flood recovery, rather than leaving you financially devastated by the event.

Flood insurance is usually a policy that you have to buy separately from homeowners insurance. Without flood insurance, all of the repairs to your home will come out of your pocket. The amount of coverage flood insurance provides depends on your policy, so understand all of the terms before you choose one, and ask questions.

Some policies only protect your home, while others protect only your personal belongings. Other policies cover both. Make sure you know which one you’re getting.

If you choose a flood insurance policy that strictly provides building property coverage, the physical structure of your home and components, like central air, heating systems, plumbing, electrical systems, and so on, will all be covered.

If you choose a personal contents coverage policy, you’ll get protection for only the clothes, appliances, furniture, and other valuables within your home.

Once you know what your flood insurance does cover, it’s also important to know what it won’t cover. For instance, a basic flood insurance policy won’t cover:

• Money, jewelry, stock certificates, and similar valuables in your home
• Avoidable moisture or mold damage
• Decks, landscaping, wells, fences, patios, pools, septic systems, and related outdoor properties
• Temporary housing and other living expenses while the house is uninhabitable due to the flood
• Cars, motorbikes, and other vehicles

Also, in most cases, flood insurance won’t cover flood damage to below-ground spaces, like the basement and crawl spaces.

To avoid any unpleasant surprises, be sure to verify exactly what your homeowners and flood insurance policies cover before signing up.

Want to learn more about the buying a cheap flood insurance policy? Check out my article The Truth About Buying the Cheapest Flood Insurance!

Tips for filing a claim

The sooner you file a claim for insurance, the sooner you can get compensation and hit the road to recovery. But it’s not just about how quickly you file your claim. For instance, if you file a claim incorrectly, your claim could be delayed or even rejected.

To avoid as many insurance obstacles as possible, use the following tips when filing your flood insurance claim.

Take Pictures

Before doing any repairs to your home, take photos and video of the full extent of damage to your property. Digital pictures and videos are the most useful. If you record the damage after cleaning up or making repairs, you might not get as much compensation as you should.

Start a Claim

Now that you have your evidence of flood damage, you can file your claim with your flood insurance company. It’s best to notify them as soon as you can after the flood.

You can contact your insurance company either through your insurance agent or contact the company directly on your own. Depending on the company, you may be able to file a claim online or by phone. After a flood, take all these little conveniences you can get.

Also, when reporting your loss to your insurer, be sure to ask if advance payments are possible to help cover your ongoing costs.

Prepare for your inspection

After receiving your claim, the insurance company will arrange for an insurance adjuster to inspect the flood damage to your home and verify your claim.

If you’ve cleaned up your home before the adjuster arrives, that’s okay. As long as you have a photo or video evidence of the damage, you can still be compensated for the damage.

Work with your adjuster

After confirming the damage, talk with the adjuster about your policy coverage and when you can get compensation. Also, obtain a replacement or repair estimate for what you’ve lost. You and the adjuster must agree on what needs to be repaired or replaced before you can get any insurance money.

To ensure the adjuster doesn’t give you a low estimate, be present at the location while the adjuster inspects your property. You can also bring along someone with more knowledge than you may have so they can provide a second estimate.

Once the inspection is done, ask the adjuster for instructions on what to do next to facilitate your claim.

Document your loss and receive payment

If there are no complications, you’ll receive your compensation and can begin fully repairing your home and recovering your losses.

Should you contact an attorney?

There’s usually no reason to hire an attorney when filing a flood insurance claim. However, if you feel your insurer isn’t handling your case fairly, you may need an attorney to protect your interests and assets.

For example, your insurer may be offering you less compensation than you’re entitled to, or the claim process may be taking too long. It may also be a case where your insurance company has unfairly or improperly denied your claim. If this happens, you may need an attorney to explain the situation and advise you on what steps to take to get your compensation.

Depending on the situation, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit against the flood insurance company. Better yet, the case may be resolved outside the court, saving you money and time that you’ll need to repair your home.



Clean Up the Flood Mess in Your House

 

Cleaning up your house after a flood is a crucial step towards restoring it and making it look and feel like a home again. It’ll be cheaper to clean it yourself, but if the damage and mess are extensive, you may need to hire a professional.

Decide if you should hire a flood remediation contractor

If the flood was serious and the damage was extensive, you will need a flood remediation contractor. These contractors specialize in restoring homes after flood damage, and they can help clean and repair your home, making it safe for you to live in again.

Aside from ridding your home of floodwater and debris, the contractor can also help with water damage restoration, mold removal services, mold damage restoration, drying of surfaces, and more. Some flood remediation contractors even help with filing and facilitating claims with insurance companies.

A flood remediation contractor is an asset when it comes to cleaning and restoring your flood-damaged home, as they offer resources you probably don’t have.

Superior Equipment

If you were to clean your flooded home yourself, you’d probably have a mop, broom, and bucket, and it would take forever get the job done. A flood remediation contractor has professional, industrial-grade equipment to get the job done faster and more effectively.

You could buy this equipment to do the job yourself, but that’s more expensive and less practical than hiring a flood remediation contractor who already has the training and expertise.

Specially Trained Manpower

Getting floodwater out of a house, as well as the stains and messes it leaves behind, is a time-consuming process. A contractor can bring as many workers as needed to get the job done fast. These people are trained for this type of work, and it’s best to let them do their job while you focus on other things.

Safety

A flood remediation contractor knows how to work around structural damage safely and has the safety equipment to do the job with minimal risk.

Floodwater can contain toxic materials, bacteria, and other harmful microbes or debris. Stepping into that kind of environment can be detrimental to your health, but a flood remediation contractor has the protective gear to prevent injuries and other hazards.

Less Work For You

You already have enough of a burden to deal with after your home gets flooded. You don’t need to add cleaning the floodwater, drying your home, and making repairs by yourself to the list.

By hiring a flood remediation contractor, you get a professional who will do the dirty work on your behalf and deliver better results than you could achieve alone.

Wear personal protective equipment to avoid contamination

If you choose to make your own home repairs or if you’re at the site while the contractor works, you must protect yourself from debris, dirt, and disease-carrying organisms. The best way to protect yourself is by wearing the proper protective gear.

The best personal protective equipment for avoiding contamination is:

• Non-vented goggles: These protect your eyes against fumes, dust, flying debris, splashing water, and more.
• Long, chemical-resistant gloves: These heavy-duty gloves shield your hands against cuts while you move debris and clean. It will also prevent exposing your skin to dirty water and bacteria.
• Disposable protective clothing: Disposable clothing comes in the form of protective waterproof coveralls that you can throw away after use.
• Charcoal-impregnated filters: These are respirators that will prevent you from inhaling harmful elements or offensive odors. The right type of respirator for your situation depends on the kind of clean up you need to do. For instance, a NIOSH-approved 100-rated N, R, or P respirator is best when cleaning a large room with lots of mold or dust.

Watch out for potential hazards

Floodwater poses risks, not just to your home but also to your health. Floodwater contains dirt to disease-carrying pathogens and may contain:

• Livestock or human waste
• Decomposing animals
• Chemical, biological, or radiological waste in the form of hazardous household, medical, or industrial materials
• Waste materials containing arsenic, chromium, mercury, and other carcinogenic compounds
• Materials like lumber, vehicle parts, broken glass, rusted metal, and other debris that can cause injury
• Rodents, snakes, alligators, and other wildlife
• Loaded natural gas or propane tanks
• Other contaminants that can lead to illness, injury, or death

Exposure to the above can lead to health complications, such as:

• Cuts, gashes, and other injuries that may become infected
• Gastrointestinal illness
• Skin rash
• Tetanus
• Leptospirosis

Downed power lines or submerged power outlets are another danger to be aware of, both in and around your home after a flood. To minimize the risk of an electrical accident:

• Avoid roads with downed power lines
• Avoid going near overhead power lines during cleanup
• Call the power company to report fallen power lines
• Shut off the electrical power in your home from the main breakers

Clean up the damage

If you decide to save money by cleaning up your flooded home yourself, make wearing protective gear a priority. After you suit up for the job, you can begin restoring your house by:

• Making a list of all the damaged structures and items you notice
• Taking pictures and record video of the damage, preferably before and during cleaning
• Removing wet and contaminated items from your home. The ones you can salvage can be put out to dry while you should dispose of the unsalvageable ones
• Shoveling out the mud and debris. If possible, you can use a high-powered hose to get rid of the dirt
• Leaving all the doors and windows open to increase air circulation and dry the home inside
• Using fans, dehumidifiers, and shop vacs to dry out flooded rooms. This will speed up drying and reduce the risk of mold developing
• Cleaning windows and hard surfaces and disinfecting them

After you finish the job, you can begin inspecting the house for mold or get an expert to do it for you.



Repair the Flood Damage

 
 

Fixing the flood damage to a home isn’t a one-day task. If the project looks like something beyond your capabilities, consider hiring a home improvement contractor.

Decide if you should hire a home improvement contractor

All the expenses you have to cope with after a flood may make you hesitant to spend more money on a home improvement contractor. But it can be a worthwhile investment if you pick one with the qualifications and expertise to get the job done. For example, the right contractor can address the damage quickly and reduce the risk of loss and restoration costs.

Don’t be cheap

If you use the cheapest contractor that you can find, you’ll probably end up with an unlicensed one who will do more harm than good. Hire a certified contractor to do the job right the first time.

Check referrals and reviews

An easy way to get an idea of a contractor’s competence is to hear what other clients have to say about his work. The more positive reviews a contractor has, the more likely they’ll be able to deliver the quality of work you desire.

Ask questions

Before hiring, ask the contractor about their experience with jobs like yours. They should be able to tell you how exactly they’re going to get your job done and give you a realistic timeframe for its completion.

Shop around

Don’t limit yourself to one option. Shop around and compare as many highly rated home improvement contractors as you can find. This will give you an idea of who is the most competent to do your job within your budget.

Consider flood-proofing options

After restoring your home, start looking at ways to prevent a reoccurrence. At the very least, you should put flood-proofing measures in place to minimize damages if you experience another flood.

Flood-proofing involves making non-structural and structural changes to your property to prevent or minimize flood damage. For instance, you can have sandbags in place to keep out the water or move your possessions to a higher floor in the house and out of reach of floodwaters.

There are generally two types of flood-proofing—dry flood-proofing and wet flood-proofing.

Dry flood-proofing

Dry flood-proofing involves making a building watertight by putting measures in place that will stop floodwaters from getting in. Some standard dry flood-proofing techniques include:

• Sealing structures to keep floodwaters out
• Installing a sewage water backstop
• Changing the landscape of your property to put your home above floodwater levels

Wet flood-proofing

Wet flood-proofing prevents floodwater damage by allowing floodwaters to pass beneath the building, instead of through it. Wet flood-proofing elevates the structure and uses flood-resistant materials to design the building’s base.



Look Into Government Assistance Programs

 

If the compensation from your insurance isn’t enough to help restore your property, you can get additional financial assistance from government assistance programs. For example, the FEMA Individual Assistance Program provides flood victims with direct services and financial aid. But first, you have to be eligible for the program.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, a qualified alien, or a non-citizen national
• Your identity must be verifiable by FEMA
• Your expenses and needs must be the result of a declared disaster
• Your insurance, or other accessible disaster assistance, must be insufficient to meet your disaster-caused needs

Even if you don’t meet the above conditions, there are other forms of aid that you can access. These include:

• Disaster Legal Services (DLS)
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
• Voluntary Agency Assistance
• Emergency Assistance (food, shelter, etc.)
• Other short-term, non-monetary emergency disaster relief programs.

Final Thoughts

A flood can be a destructive force to your home, but you can recover from the damages it causes more quickly if you stick to this guide.

Take measures to minimize your suffering, whether that means hiring a contractor, getting financial assistance, or filing an insurance claim early on to get compensation. Taking the proper routes to recovery can save you time and money and keep your home and family safe.

 

Further Reading: Looking For More Information About Flooding & Home Cleaning? Check These Articles Out!

• Best Pumps For A Flooded Basement
• How To Get Rid Of Musty Smell In Basement
• How To Make Your House Smell Good
• 27 Indoor Air Quality Mistakes That Hurt Your Health
• 25 Best Essential Oil Diffusers for Aromatherapy

 

The post Have A Flooded House? (Here Are Your Next Steps) appeared first on ISoldMyHouse.com.

]]> https://www.isoldmyhouse.com/how-to-get-rid-of-dog-smell/ Wed, 16 Aug 2023 21:06:24 +0000 https://www.isoldmyhouse.com/?p=13904 Do you want to remove the dog smell from your home but keep the dog? Read this "How To" guide to get the job done right and leave your home smelling fresh.

The post How To Get Rid Of Dog Smell In Your House (Products & Steps) appeared first on ISoldMyHouse.com.

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Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Where do these dog odors come from?
• Cleaning & Eliminating the Sources of Dog Smells in Your Home
• Proactively Preventing Dog Odors from Returning
• Final Thoughts on Ridding your Home of Dog Odors

Please Note: Some of the cute dog pictures in this guide were taken by photographer Carli Davidson. You can purchase her book “Shake” on Amazon.

 

 

Is dog smell stinking up your house and you want to remove it?

Don’t you absolutely hate it when someone tells you that your house smells like your dog?

We certainly do.

Most pet parents would snap back at them saying that the house belongs to our dog and not pesky guests. But sometimes you can’t help but wonder if it’s true.

Does the house really smell like a dog? Do dogs emit an odor that lingers in the house?

Sadly, the answer is ‘Yes’!

Dogs have a unique smell and odor caused from a number of factors. These odors can seep in to your furniture, curtains/drapes, carpeting and more.

These odors become a big problem for you when you are trying to sell your house.

People don’t want to smell your doggie when they are looking for a new place to live and it is critical that your house smells good when preparing to sell.

 



Where Do These Dog Odors Come From?

 

For starters, they secrete natural oils and sweat. Oh yeah, your doggy does sweat despite what you might’ve heard. Perhaps you’ve been neglecting that bath for more time than usual, causing the smell to aggravate.

A dog’s diet can also contribute to it. Starchy food with very little omega fatty acids can lead to skin infections, which adds to the odor. (source)

Maybe there’s wax build up in their ears causing the odor. Or your puppy fancies the carpet more than the yard, to mark his turf. Like we said, there can be reasons galore.

Some people, especially pet parents, may find the smell to be a normal part of living with a dog. In fact, our olfactory organs (smell sensory system) is designed to become “blind” to the smells we encounter on a daily basis.

Others though, may find these odors to be quite offensive.  If you are a landlord, then that’s enough reason to lose valuable tenants.

What to do / Where to Start?

Today, we are going to share with you, a bunch of simple techniques which can help get rid of the dog smell from the house permanently. And with some extra effort, you and your pet can live in a home that smells as fresh as a daisy.

It might be a long read. So grab a tub of popcorn, sit back and enjoy it.

 



Cleaning & Eliminating the Sources of Dog Smells in Your Home

 

The first step involves detecting potential ‘odor traps’ in your home. And believe us when we tell you this, they are EVERYWHERE.

As your dog walks, sits, runs, sniffs, licks and goes about their usual doggie business around the house, they are leaving traces of their odor. This gets absorbed in soft furniture, in the carpet, on the floor, on the wall and just about everywhere else, forming what we call ‘odor traps’.

For example, if your puppy peed on your carpet or on the drywall months ago, then that’s a potential odor trap and works like a vent stick, constantly emanating stink.

Then there’s a perpetual supply of dog fur and dander being distributed all over the house which can be invisible to the naked eye.

It might sound overwhelming, but you are going to find out each one of them and eliminate or neutralize them.

Let’s start with the one of the most persistent odor sources, doggie urine.

Step 1: Find Old Dog Messes with a Blacklight

Tools needed to find old dog messes

Product Name	Amount Needed
LED Ultraviolet Blacklight Pet Urine Detector	1
Masking Tape	1-2 Rolls

Method: Grab a black light or an Ultraviolet light. Turn off the lights in the room if you are doing this after dark.

Else, pull the drapes. Make the room as dark as possible.

Wear your safety goggles because this might take longer than you expect, especially if you have multiple rooms to check.

Take the painter’s tape and get started.

Turn on the black light and hold it two feet above the ground. Take a walk around the room.

You will be greeted with a splatter of stains and marks that were invisible to you earlier. There will be all sorts of colors too.  Fluorescent white, green, blue, yellow.

You’ve got to keep an eye out for the brownish yellow marks or the greenish yellow ones.

Those are the urine spots.

Mark the spots using tape and reconfirm that it is urine using your old, reliable olfactory sense.

You might be surprised to find traces of urine in places that you thought you’d cleaned, especially the carpet.

Urine when absorbed into the carpet can also spread under the main padding. In such cases, mark the outline of the entire stain to ensure that you clean it thoroughly.

Repeat this process in all the rooms.

Step 2: Vacuum Everywhere

Tools needed to vacuum properly

Product Name	Amount Needed
Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Vacuum	1
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum	1

Method: Now that you have identified the old urine spots, it’s time to vacuum the entire house before you start to clean them.

If you have an old clunker for a vacuum, then it might not cut the mustard.

Upgrading to a specialized doggie vacuum can do you a world of good. These machines have extra suction power and special attachments that allow you to reach into tiny nooks and crevices that might be hiding doggie stuff.

Recommendation: Check out the best vacuums for pet hair on Amazon here.

 

But if that’s not an option, then even a normal vacuum will do, provided it has enough attachments and suction power to absorb even the tiniest trace of dander, fur and scents.

Start with the floor.

If the room is carpeted, then vacuum the carpets twice just to make sure.

Do the same with mats, rugs, cushions and other soft furniture.

When you vacuum the furniture, don’t forget to vacuum under it.

Which are your dog’s favorite spots in the house? These need to be vacuumed twice as well.

When vacuuming the couch, use the nozzle attachments to reach into the corners.

Step 3: Use an Enzyme Cleaner for Old Pet Messes

Tools needed to clean old pet messes

Product Name	Amount Needed
Enzyme-Powered Pet Odor & Stain Remover for Dog Urine	2-6

Method: An Enzyme cleaner is a biological compound that helps to break down the molecules in biological substances like starch, oil and protein.

Dog urine is made up of proteins and the enzymes in the cleaner are the best, foolproof way to completely break them down.

Grab the bottle of the enzyme cleaner. Pour a few drops or spray on the previously identified spots.

Let the enzymes soak in and do their work for at least 30 minutes.

Sometimes, it might take much longer to work and take repeated attempts. There’s no fixed rule to this.

The only way to be sure that the urine scent is completely eliminated, is to repeat the black light test again after cleaning the spots.

At times, tiny traces of urine might be left behind. Repeat the process until it is completely cleaned.

Tip: You can also use the enzyme cleaner to remove traces of dog poop.

Step 4: Steam Clean the Carpets

Tools needed to steam clean the carpets

Product Name	Amount Needed
Bissell Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner	1
Bissell Professional Pet Urine Elimator with Oxy and Febreze Carpet Cleaner Shampoo	1-3

Method: Steam Cleaning is a superior cleaning method that uses hot water and a detergent of your choice.

(You can also swap the detergent with Vinegar if you wish to use a natural product instead of synthetic cleaners.)

Unlike conventional vacuuming, which helps to remove most dirt and debris stuck near the surface, steam cleaning uses high pressure and steam to penetrate into the tiny pores of your carpet and dislodges any dirt, debris or dander that may be trapped there.

Any grime or fecal matter stuck in the carpet will be melted due to the hot water.

That’s what makes it so effective in deodorizing a home.

Remove all the furniture from the room if possible. If that’s too difficult, then move it all to one side of the room and clean the room in two halves.

Start from one corner and make long passes from one end of the room to the other.

By the way, if this is the first time you are steam cleaning the carpet, then take some time to read the instructions on how the machine works. Some have a push-pull working mechanism whilst others only need to be pushed.

Make repeat passes if your carpet is wet even after the water is sucked into the cleaner.

Step 5: Deep Clean the Hard Floors

Tools needed to deep clean the hard floors

Product Name	Amount Needed
Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Vacuum	1
Broom	1
Hardwood Floor Cleaner	1-2
Hardwood Floor Wax/Polish (optional)	1-2

Method: If you vacuumed the entire house earlier, then there’s no need to redo it for the hardwood floors.

Just grab a broom and sweep the floor thoroughly. You can also use a mop with a microfiber head and treat it with a dusting agent to remove dust and pet hair.

After dusting, damp-mop the floor to give it a complete scrub.

Grab a sponge or a mop, dunk it in the water (you can add a hardwood floor cleaner), wring it well to ensure that it’s almost dry and then mop the floor.

Once again, start from the corners and make passes across the room.

If the cleaning solution instructs you to mop the floor again with a clean cloth, then do it.

Else, just ensure that there’s no standing water that can damage the hardwood floor.

Power your ceiling fan on to allow the room to dry completely.

If there are any pet stains, then you can use floor wax with ‘000 steel wool’ to cover the stains.

If this doesn’t work, vinegar might help remove the stains.

You can wax the area again after the stain is removed.

Step 6: Deep Clean the Furniture

Tools needed to deep clean the furniture

Product Name	Amount Needed
Cleaning Towels	1
Lint Free Cleaning Cloth	1
Pet Stain & Odor Miracle - Enzyme Furniture Cleaner	1-2

Method: There are many ways to deep clean the furniture at home. Some of them are more time consuming than others.

In the end it all boils down to how thoroughly you feel the furniture needs cleaning.

If you were diligent with your weekly dusting routines for wooden furniture, then you can just opt for the easiest method.

If not, then it might take multiple passes on the furniture to completely remove pet hair.

Start by using a lint-free cloth to wipe the wooden furniture. If there’s a lot of dust then it might get dislodged into the air and settle on the carpet or on other furniture, negating the effort that you’ve just put in.

So, you can dampen the cloth a little before you wipe.

You may also use a lamb’s wool brush because the static energy created in the bristles help to trap dust and debris completely.

After wiping with a damp cloth, use a clean dry rag to wipe the furniture again.

Tip: The cloth must only be damp, not soaking wet.

If you are using cleaners, then always use it in an inconspicuous part of the furniture first to check whether it affects the surface stain.

If your couches and soft furnishings have removable covers, then remove them and toss them into the machine for a quick wash. Any dark spots or stains can be removed with baking soda.

If not, then you can use any brush with soft bristles to dust the upholstery before using a damp cloth to wipe it.

Fabrics like leather and silk will need to be treated more delicately. Either use plain water or use water diluted with vinegar. Ensure that you don’t saturate the fabric with water. Remove any remaining water with a dry cloth.

Step 7: Give Your Doggie a Bath

Tools needed to give your doggie a bath

Product Name	Amount Needed
Smelly Puppy Dog Shampoo	1
Dog Drying Towel	1

Method: This method is for pets that are acclimatized to the bath routine.

Take the dog brush and brush the dog’s coat gently to remove any mats. If your dog breed is double coated, then use a specialized brush, like the Furminator to brush the undercoat.

Get everything ready. Plug your dog’s ears with cotton balls.

Check the water temperature before you begin. Your dog only needs lukewarm water.

Start off by wetting the entire body starting from the shoulders. Now apply dog shampoo and work up a lather by making small concentric circles.

Making a thick lather near the shoulders prevents fleas and other pests from making a beeline for the face area when the rest of the body is being washed.

If you have a brachycephalic (flat nosed) breed, then gently lift the folds of skin and clean inside. You will need to calm the dog down, especially if they are not used to frequent cleaning in the folds.

Let the dog rest for a while with the shampoo on their body. This allows the shampoo to soak into the dog hair and also neutralizes the odor.

The dog will now try his best to shake the water off their body. If you have a large dog breed, this can translate into an impromptu doggie shower for you too.

But it’s best to let the dogs do this before you soak the water using dry towels.

Once again, it might take a lot of dry towels to completely dry the dog’s body. Do not vigorously scrub your dog with the towel to dry them. Instead, gently pat dry the dog with the towel.

Always treat them to appreciate good bath behavior.

Step 8: Wash Your Dogs Bed and Blankets

Tools needed to wash the dogs bed and blankets

Product Name	Amount Needed
Odor Removing Laundry Detergent	1

We told you it’s going to be a long read. But we are getting there.

Next up is your pet’s bed which will be crammed to the brim with hair, drool, urine drops, traces of fecal matter as well as grass, dirt, water, ticks, fleas and other things if FIDO loves the outdoors.

Always check the manufacturer’s instructions before you wash the dog’s bed and blanket. If it is machine washable, then the task becomes a lot easier.

Just remove the cover and toss into the machine with some mild detergent and a tablespoon or two of vinegar to remove the debris.

The foam bed can be hand washed in the bath tub.

Just fill the tub with water, add mild detergent and vinegar and submerge the foam in it. Allow it to soak in the water for at least 8-10 hours. Now drain the dirty water, wring the foam to drain out the remaining dirty water and fill the tub again with clean water.

Submerge the foam in it again for a few minutes and compress it to clean it completely.

Now allow it to air dry.

If the instructions allow the bed to be dried in a dryer, then use the highest heat setting for 10-15 minutes to kill any parasites that might be clinging on to it.

Step 9: Clean Your Dogs Crate

Tools needed to clean the dogs crate

Product Name	Amount Needed
Natural All Purpose Cleaner	1
Cleaning Vinegar	1
Scrub Brush	1

Method: Remove the bedding, water bottle, feeder and toys from the crate.

Take it outdoors, grab a mop or a brush and sweep the crate to remove hair, fecal matter and dirt.

Now connect the garden hose to the water supply and wash the crate at the highest pressure setting.

Mix a cup of vinegar to two gallons of water and spray it all around the crate. Let the vinegar solution soak for half an hour.

Some people prefer using a household cleaner instead of vinegar. That’s perfectly okay as long as it isn’t too toxic for your pets.

Cleaners with ammonia are best avoided because they tend to smell like urine and might coax the dog into peeing again inside the cage.

After 30 minutes, take a close look at the sides, the removable bottom tray and the door. There might be clumps of fecal matter, large clumps of fur, especially in the parts where your dog rubs his body.

Remove these manually with a scrub brush and hose the cage one more time. Allow it to air dry.

P.S. If you do not have access to a garden hose, then take two large buckets of water and rinse the entire cage pouring small amounts at a time.

Step 10: Wash Your Bed’s Comforter and Sheets

Tools needed to wash beds comforter and sheets

Product Name	Amount Needed
Baking Soda	1
Odor Removing Laundry Detergent	1

Method: Your comforter might be harboring dust mites as well as dander, especially if your dog jumps up into bed in excitement every morning.

Thankfully, most comforters and sheets are machine washable. Just ensure that you read the label to check for any special instructions, like dry cleaning only.

If there are any stains on the comforter, then spot clean them before you toss it into the machine. Use a mixture of baking soda and water to remove the stains.

Check if the comforter fits into the machine. Some large comforters will need to be washed in a commercial laundromat because stuffing them into a household machine can damage the fill.

Select the appropriate settings, add detergent and rinse.

While hot water works best for cleaning comforters and sheets, it will depend on the manufacturer’s instructions.

After rinsing, move it to the dryer and add some tennis balls which will allow even weight distribution and the filling from clumping up unevenly.

Dry at the appropriate temperature pausing it every 30 minutes or so to fluff the comforter.

It might take hours until it is fully dried. You can also remove and air dry it for a while.

Step 11: Wash Your Dog’s Toys

Tools needed to wash dog toys

Product Name	Amount Needed
Baking Soda	1
Cleaning Vinegar	1

Method: Your dog’s toys can be a grody mess of drool, dirt, fleas and what not.

Yet, cleaning doggie toys is one of the most overlooked aspects of pet hygiene. Ideally, you should be cleaning your dog’s toys once a week.

But if you are guilty of procrastinating it, then it’s not too late.

Instead of using toxic cleaning solutions, we will only use white vinegar to clean the toys.

Grab all the hard toys and line them up on the top most rack of the dishwasher. Add vinegar and run one full cycle.

Allow the toys to dry completely.

For the soft toys, we will use the washing machine. Just sprinkle them with baking soda or add a combination of white vinegar and water in place of the detergent. Run on the gentle cycle, wring out the dirty water and air dry.

If you do not wish to use the machine, then you can submerge them in the bath tub, just like you did with the dog bed.

Step 12: Consider Painting Walls, Trim & Ceilings

A lot of people get irritated when they discover that after scrubbing every inch of the house, washing all the linen, spraying it with gallons of vinegar and even bleach, a faint hint of the dog smell still remains in the house.

If that’s the case with your home too, then it might well be in the walls.

When a dog repeatedly pees on the drywall, it can get saturated with urine and the only possible way to remove the odor is to prime and paint the walls with an odor-sealant paint.

The other option of course is to strip down the drywall which can be an expensive chore that you can easily avoid.

While you are at it, paint the baseboards, the trims and the ceilings too.

Normal paint might not be effective at sealing the odor mind you.

That’s it folks! You have just completed the gregarious task of removing every possible, potential odor trap from your home.

By now, your home should be smelling like a fresh paint of coat.

But you’ve got to keep it that way, don’t you? And that will always be a challenge with your dog living with you.

No, we are not suggesting that you don’t keep a pet at home. Instead, you can easily prevent your home from smelling like a dog again by following a few simple methods.

 



Proactively Preventing Dog Odors from Returning

 

Here are a few proactive steps that you can take to ensure that your home doesn’t go back to smelling like your dog within the next few weeks.

• Open the Windows: Is that so difficult? Yet most homeowners shun from opening the windows in their home once every day. When the weather permits, open all the windows in the house and allow the breeze to air out the freshly painted rooms. This will help the paint to dry as well as dissipate the chemical odor. More importantly, it will also help remove any faint dog odor that might be clinging on to your home. Even in the winters, you can open one window at a time allowing airflow into the home.
• Use a HEPA Air Purifier: An Air purifier with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter will trap most of the pet hair and dander that become airborne. This can prevent them from settling on the furniture and walls. Even better, this will also trap dust and other allergens in the air. However, most HEPA air purifiers are small units intended for use in a room. You might need multiple units to cover the entire home. Always check the filtration capacity of the purifier before you buy it. Lucky for you, we reviewed 9 of the best air purifier for pets so that you can choose which one works for your home.
• Change your home’s air filters: The air filters in your home should be checked at least once a week if you have pets. And changed once every three months. This will prevent allergens and odor bombs from recirculating in the house.
• Absorb Smells with a Deodorizer: Having a deodorizer handy allows you to target pet stinks before they get absorbed into the furnishing or the carpet. You can use any store brand pet deodorizer. But even a mixture of water and white vinegar works. If you find the aroma of Vinegar offensive (it will dissipate after a while), you can add some lavender oil or any other essential oil to this. Keep it ready in a sprayer and spray around home before you open the windows.
• Regularly Clean Your Home, Dog & Accessories: Make dusting and cleaning a weekly or bi-weekly habit and stick to the schedule. It can be a chore and a long one at that. But regularly cleaning your furniture, flooring, carpets and linen prevents the house from smelling like pets. The same goes for your dog and their accessories. Bathe your dogs regularly, brush them after their walks, clean dog beds, toys and crates. Schedule a deep cleaning session once every two months during which all the laundry, cushion covers and carpets undergo vigorous cleaning.
• Groom your pet: Apart from the bathing, keep an eye on your pet’s coat, dental health, nails and ear health. Watch out for signs of an infection, like excessive scratching, rubbing the face on the ground or compulsive licking of the paws. The sooner you treat the infection, faster the chances of recover and fewer the chances of it leading to an odor situation.
• Immediately Clean Dog Accidents: If your dog makes a mess, make it a priority to clean it immediately. If it is urine, feces or vomit, use an enzyme cleaner and allow it to rest for at least 30 minutes. The more the better as it allows the enzymes to break down the proteins completely. Use a rag and clean the mess before allowing it to air dry. Recheck for traces of the mess using the black light.

 

Final Thoughts on Ridding your Home of Dog Odors

 

Living with a pet does not necessarily mean that you have to make do with a house that stinks.

With regular cleaning schedules and pet grooming sessions, you should be able to neutralize most of the odor.

Please remember that some of the above mentioned steps might seem like overkill at times. But if your house is reeking of dog odor, then each one of these steps might be necessary to completely remove it. There’s no two ways about it.

Once you remove the dog smell from your home, check out our guides on the best air purifiers for smoke smells and  how to get rid of musty smells in your basement to make sure those odors are not a problem too!

Also, once the source of bad odors has been eliminated and purified, check out our best essential oil diffuser recommendations to indulge in some aromatherapy.

Do you feel that we missed out on anything?

Is there anything that you want to add to this?

Do share it with us. We would love to hear about it.

 

The post How To Get Rid Of Dog Smell In Your House (Products & Steps) appeared first on ISoldMyHouse.com.

]]> https://www.isoldmyhouse.com/household-pests/ Wed, 16 Aug 2023 02:49:58 +0000 https://www.isoldmyhouse.com/?p=16577 The first step in taking charge of controlling houshold pests is understanding the pests themselves. We describe the appearance, prevention & fun facts.

The post Complete Guide To 22 Common Household Pests, Bugs & Insects appeared first on ISoldMyHouse.com.

]]> Ants | Bed Bugs | Bees, Hornets, Wasps & Yellow Jackets | Beetles | Cockroaches | Earwigs | Fleas | Flies | Fruit Flies | Gnats | House Spiders | Spiders | Mice | Millipedes | Mites | Mosquitoes | Stink Bugs | Termites | Ticks

 

Pests. They come in many shapes and sizes, from the tiniest fruit fly or mosquito to the largest mouse. They invade our pantries, garages, sheds, and more, wreaking havoc and spreading disease.

But it’s not just the indoors that you have to worry about, idyllic summer days for yard work can also be interrupted by buzzes and angry stingers.

Household pests are so common that they have often played a starring role in pop culture. From the classic Tom & Jerry scenario to scenes of ants marching along checkered blankets, or turning into giant, human-eating nightmares.

It’s no wonder homeowners shirk from the existence of these home invaders. Yet despite their prevalence, when push comes to shove, not many individuals know what to do when it’s their home that has been invaded.

No matter how well kept your home is, no residence is immune to pest invasions. But you can be prepared, arming yourself with information on what to look for, and how to protect your home, your family, and even your pets.

The first step in taking charge of pest control is understanding the pests themselves. You also want to ensure you understand the risks each pest carries; while many qualify as nuisances, others can carry harmful diseases, or cause severe property damage.

What qualifies as a pest? What do they look like, what are they after, and how can you dissuade their interest? How can you recognize what’s dangerous and what’s just a nuisance? To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the top pests, including easily identifiable traits and some fun (and not-so-fun) trivia.

Let’s Take a Look at Twenty-Two of the Worst Offenders…



#1 Ants

 
 

Perhaps the most common of household pests, the small yet mighty ant has been deemed the #1 nuisance pest in America by the National Pest Management Association. Ants can often be found trailing along your floors, baseboards, windows, and more in a steady, single file line. You may also see the occasional scout out on their own or queen’s hunting for new colonies in certain seasons (you know it’s that time of year when a dozen or so winged ants grace your light fixtures…).

Ants can cause a variety of issues in your home, not the least of which is food contamination and property damage.

With over 700 species of ants in the US alone, it can be difficult to correctly identify just which of these pesky home invaders is threatening your home. It’s best to have a professional pest control worker come and identify the species before attempting any form of treatment.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Ants come in a variety of colors and sizes, but you can count on a few standards in their appearance. They have a small, triangular shaped head, a more oblong midsection, and a large abdomen. Six skinny legs are connected to the midsection, and two frail-looking antennae jut out from the head. If you take a peek under a magnifying glass, you may see their small pincers around their mouth. Odds are that you see more than one at a time, and occasionally you may find ants with wings.
Ants range in blacks, browns, and occasionally vibrant reds. When it comes to home invaders, you are likely to be dealing with one of six most common species:
Argentine Ants
Argentine Ants
Native to Argentina and Brazil, these ants were most likely introduced to the US in the 1890s by hitching rides on freight ships. They can range from 1/16-1/4” and are a deep brown or black with a shiny carapace.
Argentine Ants are drawn to sweet substances, but they are not picky with their food. They will eat meats, eggs, oils, fats, and more. Unlike most other ant species, the queen Argentine Ant will help with foraging efforts.
These ants are attracted to wet environments with nearby food sources. Their colonies can grow extremely expansive, even covering an entire yard.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter Ants
These pesky critters can cause massive property damage because they build their nests in wood. They measure from one to three-quarters of an inch and range from black to red in color.
It might surprise you to learn that carpenter ants don’t eat wood. Instead, they deposit the shavings outside of their new nest. Carpenter ants eat a steady diet of living and dead insects, meats, fats, and any kind of sugary foods.
Carpenter Ants will nest anywhere near water and moldy or damp wood; tree stumps, firewood, and plants around your house are common nesting grounds. They will also nest inside walls, patios, and other wooden structures.

Crazy Ants
Crazy Ants
Originally from the Caribbean, Crazy Ants earned their moniker due to their erratic, jerky running when searching for food. They can grow to be 1/16-1/8” long. These ants range from dark brown to black, though they tend to have a gray sheen.
Like most ants, Crazy Ants are omnivorous. They eat anything from other insects (living or dead) to sweet fruits and seeds. Some display a seasonal high-protein diet, shunning more sweet and sugary treats in the summer.
Crazy Ants are extremely adaptable in their habitat, colonizing in plants, trash piles, rotten wood, and soil. You can even find nests under the carpet.

Odorous House Ants
Odorous House Ants
If you have ever crushed an ant only to be greeted by a strong, rotten stench like a bad coconut, then you have had the misfortune of stepping on an Odorous House Ant. These ants are native to the US and will live in colonies upwards of 100,000 members.
With colors ranging from brown to black, Odorous House Ants grow between 1/16 and 1/8 of an inch. While they are omnivorous, they tend to prefer other insects or sugary melons.
Odorous House Ant habitats include walls and floor cracks in your home, but they are more often to be found in exposed soil or under debris, logs, mulch, stones, and other such items.

Pavement Ants
Pavement Ants
Prevalent in the Eastern United States, Pavement Ants live in colonies of 3,000-4,000. They grow to an eighth of an inch and are dark brown to black. Pavement Ants are omnivorous to the extreme, going so far as to add grease to their pallet. Nuts, cheese, meats, and other insects also make the list.
While these pests can invade your home, you are more likely to find them slipping in and out of cracks in the pavement. Slabs, sidewalks, patios, and hollow foundations will often find stowaway ants moving in.
Red Imported Fire Ants
Red Imported Fire Ants
Often shortened to simply “Fire Ants,” these reddish-brown pests are well-known for their aggressive nature and painful stings. They can adapt to many climates and primarily eat vegetation. Fire Ants range from one to three-eighths of an inch.
One easy way to avoid a painful introduction to these miscreants is to watch for their nests. Fire ants will build mounds of soil over the entrance to their nests, often near foundations or landscape areas.
Prevention
You can help mitigate your risk for attracting ants with a few simple steps.
1. Eliminate areas of standing water, since pests are attracted to moisture.
2. Cut plants back from your house and keep tree branches trimmed. Pests can use twigs and other plant structures to access your home.
3. Seal any cracks or small openings in your walls our foundations.
4. Do not store firewood or building materials next to your home.
5. Many ants dislike cinnamon and peppermint. Spraying a small amount of these as an oil around vulnerable areas can help keep away scouts.
Fun Facts
• Ants leave pheromone trails when foraging to keep track of where they have been and how to get home.
• Ants can lift 20x their body weight.
• Ants do not have ears; instead, they “hear” through their feet by sensing ground vibrations.
• Ants do not have lungs; tiny holes called spiracles on their body take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
• Over 12,000 species of ants exist throughout the world, though only a few of these invade homes.
• Ants live in social communities, creating intricate networks underground, in trees, or in ground-level mounds. All colonies are ruled by a Queen.

Further Reading: Check out our ULTIMATE Guide to the best ant killer you can buy and all the steps required to get rid of ants from your home and keep them away for good. Click the link below to read this detailed guide!

• How To Get Rid Of Ants | Best Ant Killer (Chemical & Natural Options)

 



#2 Bed Bugs

 
 

Don’t let the name fool you! These little critters can be found in many areas, including outside the home. Bed bugs like to feed on humans because our skin isn’t protected by thick layers of fur like most animals’.

These small, wingless insects are often referred to as ‘nest parasites,’ because they will hunker down in a birds nest, bat roost, or human home/bed and continually feed on the same bird, mammal, or people.

Bed Bugs are typically nocturnal, so people often don’t realize they’ve been exposed to them until they start seeing bite marks and checking nooks and crannies in the room. It is possible to be bitten in public spaces like movie theaters, as well.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Roughly the size of an apple seed, bed bugs are typically reddish brown in color. Truthfully, Bed Bugs range in color from light tan to deep brown or burnt orange; after feeding, you may see a red or black blob inside their plump forms. They typically have a flat, oval shape, but after feeding, they can double in size and be rounder.

Prevention
You can help defend your home against bed bugs with certain precautions,
1. Vacuum any suitcases after a vacation.
2. Check bedsheets for blood spots.
3. Thoroughly inspect any second-hand furniture before bringing it into your home.
4. Carry a flashlight with you for quick, visual inspections of nooks and crannies bed bugs may hide in during the day.
Fun Facts
• Bed Bugs can live anywhere, thriving in apartments, buses, college dorm rooms, movie theaters, single-family homes— practically wherever humans are!
• Bed Bugs are not limited to any particular area; they can be found in cities and rural areas, public spaces and single-occupant apartments.
• Bed Bugs are smart, elusive, and hardy, able to live several months without blood and able to hide in a myriad of locations to avoid detection.
• Bed Bug saliva acts similarly to anesthesia, which is why you typically won’t feel them bite.
• Bed Bugs can feed on any warm-blooded animal.
• Female Bed Bugs can lay 1-5 eggs a day, which equals up to 500 during their lifetime.
 



#3-6 Bees, Hornets, Wasps, and Yellow Jackets

 

Marked by the tell-tale buzz or low hum, Bees, Hornets, Wasps, and Yellow Jackets are often portrayed as a homeowner’s greatest enemy. In truth, these critters can be useful in controlling other pests and maintaining a healthy eco-system, but their overly-protective and aggressive habits when nesting near doors and windows have earned them a bad reputation. Wasps (and their derivative hornets and yellow jackets) are far more aggressive than bees.

Many a fun summer day has been interrupted, and many a landscaper has learned to wear long sleeves and pants no matter the heat to help prevent stings.

The easiest way to know you have a hornet, wasp, or yellow jacket problem is to spot their nests. While some will burrow underground for the unfortunate lawn mower to discover, many build nests from a papery, mud-looking substance— chewed up wood fibers and saliva, to be exact. These custom-spit homes are often attached to awnings, walls, poles, fences, and other surfaces. Bees, on the other hand, tend to create hives in trees. Some homeowners like to provide bees with man-made hives in order to harvest honey.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Bees
Bees
Bees come in many varieties, but they are often marked with the stereotypical black and yellow(ish) coloring. While some bees are thick and fuzzy for better pollen collection, others like the honeybee appear slicker and shinier. Like all insects, bees’ bodies are sectioned into three areas: head, thorax, and abdomen. They boast six legs and two antennae.

Hornets
Hornets
Hornets stings are incredibly painful— more so than many of their fellow wasps — because their venom contains a significant amount of acetylcholine. And, like other wasps, their stingers are barbed; they can and will sting repeatedly.
Hornets are half to a full inch long, boasting a narrow waist and broad black-and-white   striped abdomen (some hornets have black and yellow abdomens). Their thorax is black, and they have long, skinny legs.
Wasps
Wasps
Generally, wasps (including the Hornets above) have two pairs of wings. They are skinnier around the middle than hornets, but they grow to the same lengths. The most common wasps are Paper Wasps, colloquially known as Mud Daubers. They are usually brown or black with yellow spots.

Yellow Jackets
Yellow Jackets
Yellow Jackets and Hornets are often confused with each other; Yellow Jacket’s faces are primarily yellow with dark eyes, and they are similar in size to bees. Yellow also wraps around their abdomen in bands. Hornets have a much larger head than Yellow Jackets.
Like hornets, Yellow Jackets can be particularly dangerous. While hornets have potent venom, Yellow Jackets often carry harmful bacteria on their stingers from spending time in landfills, sewage, and other less-pleasant avenues. These bacteria can cause blood poisoning in stinging victims.
Yellow Jackets come in three varieties: German, Eastern, and Common. Their hives are the easiest way to tell the difference, but let’s be honest: you don’t need to know what Yellow Jackets you have— you need to call pest control to protect your family. Your pest control technician is better equipped to deal with any Yellow Jackets; we would rather you stay safe than risk yourself while identifying.

Prevention
Singing flyers like wasps and hornets are harder to deter without pest control, but it is possible. Seal any entry points to your home and remove food sources like pet food, picnic scraps, open garbage bins, or compost piles. Open cans of soda, fruit juices, or fallen fruit from trees can also attract them.
If you do notice wasps or others, avoid swatting them or wearing perfumes nearby. Also avoid wearing vibrant colors and floral patterns, as these can attract their attention. Swatting wasps can release their stress hormone, which can call other wasps to come and sting you even though the first is dealt with.

Fun Facts
• While Bees can only sting once, Wasps and the rest can sting repeatedly.
• Yellow Jackets and Hornets make their nests from wood fiber and saliva, chewing the fibers into a paste.
• Only female Bees, Hornets, Wasps, and Yellow Jackets can sting. Male drones are born without a stinger.
• Stinging pests such as these send approximately 500,000 people to the emergency room each year.
• Hornets like to eat other pests, including bees.
• Bees are incredibly beneficial to the environment, working as primary pollinators to keep plants thriving.
• Beekeeping and honey collection actually helps protect bees and eliminates excess honey buildup.
 



#7 Beetles

 
 

Believe it or not, one category of pests outstrips ants when it comes to variety: beetles. That’s right! Of the order Coleoptera, over 350,000 species of beetles exist in the world (12,000 of these are in the US). They come in a rainbow of colors and scale of sizes, some patterned and others textured, some solid and others smooth.

Ladybugs, June bugs, click beetles, and dung beetles all fall into this category.

Any manner of material could have interested beetles and drawn them to your home, from fabrics to grains.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Despite all of the variety, you can count on a few specific traits to recognize beetles. For one, they have very defined jaws and antennae. For another, they always have a hardened pair of wings, or elytra, covering a second, softer pair. The elytra meet in a thin line down the beetle’s back.
Despite having two pairs of wings, Beetles are often poor fliers. You need only see a dozen or so June Bugs flipped on their back during a Midwestern summer to get the idea.

Prevention
While most beetles fall under the nuisance category, some can cause damage to furniture, cloth, wood, and food in your home. Pest control isn’t always needed to control beetles; you can also try these steps:
1. Physical removal, like a vacuum, can effectively control some beetle issues through physical relocation.
2. Inspect any foods, fabrics, or wooden items before you bring them into your home.
3. Control moisture in your home.
4. Some beetles are attracted to the lights in our homes. You can use shades to block them and ensure that doorways and windows are properly sealed.
Fun Facts
• Beetles communicate through pheromones, sounds, or vibrations.
• Beetles have poor eyesight.
• Not all beetles are considered pests. Some, like the ladybug, are only pests part of the time. Others are actually beneficial, eating dead trees, pollinating flowers, and helping get rid of garbage.
• The order name “Coleoptera” comes from two Greek words: Koleos and pteron, meaning “sheath” and “wing.” The title refers to their elytra acting as a sheath for their second set of wings.
• Approximately 40% of all known insects are beetles, with Coleoptera making up almost 30% of all animals.
• Ladybugs are used by many gardeners and farmers to help control other pests.
• Beetles can live almost anywhere; the only two global locations that have yet to reveal a beetle presence are the arctic and saltwater oceans (there are freshwater beetles, though!).
 



#8 Cockroaches

 
 

Of all the pests to threaten infestation, the cockroach is perhaps one of the most stubborn and most hazardous. Cockroaches are filthy, often carrying at least 33 kinds of bacteria— including hard-hitters like E. Coli and Salmonella. Cockroaches can also host parasitic worms and up to seven other human pathogens. Their discarded husks can trigger allergic and asthmatic reactions, especially in children.

If you see one in your home, especially during the day, then chances are you have more. Cockroaches are nocturnal by nature and incredibly elusive. Cockroaches are common in all manner of buildings, from warehouses to homes, and feed on all sorts of food— though they seem to favor fermenting materials like decaying leaves and fungi. Inside, they’ll scavenge any crumbs and unattended pet food.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Cockroaches average 2 inches in length, though some can be longer and others shorter. They boast six legs, two antennae, and occasionally wings— though they aren’t great at flying. More…knocking into things with style.
Their bodies are flat and oval, and their heads are small. A shield-like pronotum protects their heads. Depending on their species, cockroaches can be brown, reddish brown, even black. Despite their often large size, cockroaches are deceptively fast and elusive.

Prevention
Popular theories maintain that cleanliness is the key to being cockroach-less. Unfortunately, cockroaches find multiple ways to get into our homes and buildings and simply aren’t in a hurry to leave. While keeping up with the cleaning can help reduce their food sources, it doesn’t guarantee that they’ll go or stay away.
1. Check all weather sealing strips on doors and windows.
2. Seal any crevices or cracks in walls and foundations.
3. Keep floors, kitchens, and bathrooms as clean as possible.
4. Check items— especially second-hand items, grocery bags, or cardboard boxes— for signs of roaches before carrying them inside.
Fun Facts
• Cockroaches can hold their breath for 40 minutes and can survive being fully submerged in water for 30.
• Cockroaches spend 75% of their life resting.
• Cockroaches can run as fast as 3 mph, allowing for the faster spread of bacteria and easier
• Since they are cold-blooded, Cockroaches can live for a month without food but only survive a week without water.
• Cockroaches can survive without their head for a week. They have an open circulatory system, breathing through little holes on their body segments. After a week, they die from dehydration since they no longer have a mouth to drink water.
• Two researchers at Tohoku University in Japan, Makoto Mizunami and Hidehiro Watanabe, discovered that cockroaches could be trained and conditioned much like dogs and rats.
• The idea that cockroaches would survive in a nuclear wasteland is a myth; while they can withstand higher levels of radiation than a human, high levels are still deadly.
 



#9 Earwigs

 
 

While the myth that these creepy crawlies will slither through your ear and tunnel to your brain while you sleep unawares has been wholly and thoroughly busted, earwigs never did escape the name.

One of the smaller families of insects, earwigs only come in 2,000 varieties grouped into 12 families. Many find the pincers on their back ends disconcerting, leading to several myths throughout the ages and more than a hint of dislike. However, these pincers are not venomous and do not spread disease.

While the pincers can, well, pinch, earwigs hold little threat to humans. Instead, their target is our plants.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Earwigs are long and slender, with two pairs of wings; the hind wings generally fold beneath the front ones. Despite the wings, earwigs rarely fly; however, when they do, they look far more frightening than they actually are— mainly because of their pincers.
Earwigs tend to be dark brown, and their length ranges from a quarter to three inches. Some can give off a foul odor for defense.

Prevention
The best way to keep earwigs out of your home is to ensure your drainage is up to par, but all of these tips can help:
1. Check your gutters and downspouts; are they draining away from the foundation?
2. Ensure irrigation systems water in the morning so your yard can dry through the day.
3. Have outdoor lights shine from your yard on your house. That way bugs are attracted to the light source and away from your home.
4. Repair screens on any crawl space vents and secure other possible entry points.
Fun Facts
• Earwigs are nocturnal, spending days beneath rocks, leaves, and bark or in hollow trees.
• Earwigs burrow six to seven feet underground to hibernate.
• You can tell the difference between male and female earwigs through their pincers: are they curved (males) or straight (females)?
• Earwig hatch after 7 days and then go through four to five molting sessions to become an adult within 30.
• While earwigs earned their name through the eggs-in-your-brain superstition, they prefer to avoid human ears because they lack food and moisture.
• Unlike most non-social insects, female earwigs take care of their babies. She will protect her eggs fiercely and keep them clean. Mom helps the babies hatch and then feeds and protects them until their first molting.
 



#10 Fleas

 
 

Fleas. Every pet owner’s nightmare. Not the worst, but it ranks pretty high up the list.

Trouble is, fleas aren’t just a threat to pets. Sometimes, they come for humans.

“Infestation” is apt when it comes to fleas. The little pests thrive in carpeted or fabric areas, lay eggs quickly, and hatch after thirty days to start the cycle all over again. Their tiny size and immense jumping capabilities make them especially difficult to target. They can rarely ever be squished, instead, requiring man-made treatments— and a lot of work— to eliminate once they’ve nested in a home.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Fleas are tiny, wingless little specs that rarely grow beyond an eighth of an inch. They are dark in color, brown to reddish brown, and their bodies are thin, flat, and a bit hairy.
You can see them scampering through fur (or fibers) if you are lucky, but your best indication is if your pets start scratching or chewing. The easiest way to verify fleas is to check your pets for flea dirt. An easy method is to have your dog lay on a white sheet or paper and brush their back. If small, black flecks come off, then transfer them to a damp piece of paper. If they turn red or rust-coloured …well, then I’ve got some bad news.

Prevention
For pet owners especially, prevention is the best approach. Veterinary offices offer a myriad of solutions, and your pet’s vet can give a well-informed opinion based on breed, size, and overall health of your dog, cat, or other furry friend.
Flea prevention also protects your furry family member from diseases that fleas can spread from sucking blood. Prevention comes in pills, topicals, and collars. You can also purchase over-the-counter preventatives, but they can be less effective.
Cleaning and vacuuming frequently can help. If you find fleas in your home or yard, call a pest control professional as soon as possible!

Fun Facts
• Fleas can pull 160,000x their own weight; they can jump 150x their own body size 30,000 times without stopping.
• Fleas are practically blind and do not have ears.
• Fleas have a flexible lifestyle that makes them extremely difficult to eradicate in your home. While the ideal cycle takes place over 21 days, fleas can adapt to their environment and wait for ideal conditions to move between stages (egg, larva, pupa, adult).
• A female Flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day, though they average closer to 20.
• Indoor-only pets are not necessarily safe from fleas, as they can easily transport from place to place on other animals and your clothing.
• Even if your infestation started with your pets, treating them will not fix the issue. Getting rid of fleas takes a lot of work including constant vacuuming and treatment of all fibrous areas in your home. You may even need to treat your yard.
 



#11 Flies

 
 

Cockroaches aren’t the only filth-spreading nuisance pests. Who hasn’t spent an annoying evening sporadically swatting around their head when the high-pitched, whining bzzz whisked past before the culprit alighted on their food?

Flies. We arm ourselves with sticky traps, swatters, and in some cases cats and dogs, but these pests still manage to slip past us and invade our homes, infect our food, and spread germs wherever they please. (And that’s not including the ones who bite.)

Flies are common and often underrated as pests. Many homeowners associate them with nuisance but not disease. The house fly is associated with over 100 pathogens, including salmonella, staphylococcus, E. coli, and Shigella. Flies have been known to lead to food poisoning, gastric upset, meningitis, cholera, hepatitis, and more.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Flies come in a wide variety, from tiny, skittering gnats to giant, aggressive horse flies. They always have two wings, landing them in the order Diptera. Flies are insects, so you can count on six legs and a pair of antennae to match.
Most flies come in black or brown colors, but a few varieties like the blowfly and bottle fly have a green and yellow shimmer.

Prevention
To help keep flies from taking over your home, follow these steps:
1. Limit entry points by either closing or screening doors and windows.
2. Keep garbage bins secured and clean.
3. Maintain clean surfaces in your home.
4. Don’t leave out uncovered/open food containers.
Fun Facts
• Flies can see behind them; their compound eyes allow them to see 360 degrees at once.
• Flies are good at math, able to calculate trajectories of moving obstacles like hands or swatters and a flight path to avoid them.
• Some flies mimic other insects like bees or wasps to avoid predators.
• Flies taste with their feet just like butterflies.
• Flies actually survive on a liquid diet. Why are they attracted to your crumbs? When they find a tasty solid meal, they will vomit on it to break down the solid matter before drinking the liquid.
• A fly’s lifespan averages 21 days, and females can lay up to 600 eggs in this time.
 



#12 Fruit Flies

 
 

Despite their name, fruit flies aren’t just attracted to ripe, rotting, or decayed fruit and produce. They also enjoy fermented items like beers, liquors, and wines. They breed and develop in drains, garbage disposals, mop buckets, and garbage bins.

The main danger with a fruit fly infestation is contamination. They spread bacteria easily and have a massive breeding cycle. Females lay around 500 eggs that can hatch after a mere 24-30 hours.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Like other flies, fruit flies have six legs, two wings, and two antennae. They are one of the smallest variety of flies; they average 1/8 of an inch long. Their colors range from yellow to brown, with eyes that can be red or dark.

Prevention
Keeping fruit flies out of your home is not a one-time task. It’s a continuing process, especially if you live in humid environments where they are more common.
1. Keep fruit and produce off of your counters, storing them in air-tight containers or in your fridge.
2. Keep pipes, drains, and garbage disposals clean and cleared of debris; bacterial digesters can help.
3. Regularly wipe down your counters, trash bins, and other surfaces; don’t let sugary spills like soda sit.
4. If an infestation occurs, seek pest control quickly before your kitchen and home are overwhelmed.
5. Keep trash bins sealed and take out the trash as soon as it’s full.
Fun Facts
• Fruit flies have one of the most advanced compound eyes among insects.
• Fruit flies have greatly contributed to medical breakthroughs; their short lifespans make them ideal lab subjects. In 30 years of fruit flies equals information equivalent to 200 years of studying mice.
• Fruit flies have also contributed to the field of genetics; Thomas Hunt Morgan was the first to systemically study fruit flies and confirmed the chromosomal theory of inheritance.
• Humans and fruit flies are genetically similar, so fruit flies can model human diseases for research.
• Fruit fly brains contain more than 100,000 neurons that form discreet circuits.
• Fruit flies have a rapid life cycle; within 10-12 days, a mated pair can produce hundreds of offspring.
 



#13 Gnats

 
 

Like other flies and the fruit fly, gnats are more than an apparent nuisance. They risk spreading pathogens through your home and contaminating your food. The more an infestation grows, the more unsanitary your home becomes.

While not all gnats bite, some species such as the black gnat have females that feed on blood. They can carry parasites and other diseases, spreading them between both humans and livestock.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Like their fly brethren, gnats have six legs, two antennae, and two wings. Their immature stages are grub-like larvae and cocoon-based pupae. Their legs are long and spindly, and their bodies are narrow. Gnats are small like fruit flies, but their exact length and the appearance of their wings tend to vary since gnats break down into still more species.

Prevention
To keep gnats under control, reduce potential food sources, water sources, and breeding areas.
1. For fungus gnats: Identify plants with wet soil; ensure that soil fully dries between watering to kill off larvae.
2. Do not leave fruit exposed to open air; store in containers or keep them in the fridge. (refrigeration also extends the fruit’s ripeness.)
3. Adult gnats can be collected with a vacuum.
4. You can set insect traps in your home such as electric fly exploders and sticky traps. (Do not place these outside, as they can trap beneficial insects as well.)
Fun Facts
• Most species of gnats can lay approximately 300 eggs a day.
• Gnats are known to live, breed, and even attack in swarms.
• Gnats hatch and mature within a week; their lifespan is 4-5 months.
• Female gnats who bite do so for reproductive purposes, not to feed.
• Gnats use fermenting and decaying materials for breeding grounds and food.
 



#14 House Spider

 
 

The term “house spider” refers to the seven species of spiders most commonly found in domestic areas such as your home. House spiders include Yellow Sac Spider, Black House Spider, Brown House Spider, American House Spider, Common Cellar Spider, Domestic House Spider, Giant House Spider, Hobo Spider, Southern House Spider, and Tiny House Spider. When discussing pests, however, it often narrows to the American House Spider.

Spiders have earned an unfair reputation among homeowners; their ‘creepy’ appearance, predatory drive, and pop culture have all contributed to this. They are more of a nuisance pest than an actual threat. Spiders can actually be beneficial house guests, helping to control other pests. However, their webs and waste can get out of hand.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Like all spiders (and other arachnids), house spiders have eight legs and two body sections, the head and cephalothorax. Their actual appearance varies by species, as spiders can be furry or slick, wide or skinny, round or flat, and come in a variety of colors and lengths.
The American House Spider specifically is generally dull brown with shaded patterns creating a spotted look. Average body length is a quarter inch, with long spindly legs and a round, almost spherical abdomen. They blend well into their surroundings.

Prevention
American House Spiders are generally easy to keep under control. You want to seal cracks around your house with a silicon-based caulk. Any spiders, webs, and eggs in the home can be removed with a vacuum.

Fun Facts
• American House Spiders leave cobwebs and funnel-shaped web through your home.
• While some house spiders can live outside, most only thrive indoors and will die if released ‘back’ into the wild.
• Not all spiders found in your house are House Spiders. Wolf Spiders and other active hunting spiders from the outside may find their way into your home while searching for prey. Other, more dangerous spiders like the Black Widow or the Brown Recluse may shelter in your home, especially the attic or garage.
• Most house spiders cannot traverse pipes and drains; you often find them in sinks and tubs because they fall in when searching for water.
• House spiders rarely bite; only if they feel threatened and cannot escape. Their venom is not particularly dangerous, causing at most moderate and short-lived effects.
• Some American House Spiders will play dead before they resort to biting.
 



#15 Spiders

 
 

But wait! We already discussed spiders!

Well, yes. We discussed the common house spider. But we also mentioned that they weren’t the only spiders you could find in your home. Now it’s time to talk about the more dangerous varieties, whose venom can cause serious harm. Black Widows and Brown Recluses are the most prevalent of these dangerous invaders.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Like the arachnids discussed above, these spiders have two body segments— a cephalothorax and an abdomen— and eight legs. They also have eight eyes. However, Black Widows and Brown Recluses are easy to recognize due to their shape and markings.
Black Widows are shiny black spiders with spherical abdomens. On the bottom of their abdomen is a vibrant red hourglass. They are comb-footed, meaning they have bristles on their hind legs that help them cover their prey with silk once it is trapped. Their neurotoxic venom is also 15 times as potent as a rattlesnake’s. Males are smaller than females, and the females are often more aggressive. Black Widows generally keep their webs at ground level and in dark areas.
Brown Recluses are typically hermits. They will hide in your attics, walls, or basements. This means that if you see one running around your home, then you most likely have an infestation and need to contact professional pest control. These spiders are, as their name implies, brown. They have long, spindly legs and a decently slender body. Their main identifying mark is a violin-like shape on their cephalothorax, starting at the front with the handle stretching towards their abdomen. Like Black Widows, they are one of three spiders with medically significant venom.

Prevention
The best form of control for these spiders is prevention.
1. Seal any cracks or crevices along the outside of your home.
2. Ensure doors and windows are properly sealed and/or screened.
3. Keep firewood at least twenty feet from your home and use gloves when handling.
4. Inspect any boots, baseball gloves, boxes, gloves, or other such items that are stored in a basement or attic prior to
5. Inspect any boxes prior to having them enter your home.
6. If you visit somewhere with a known spider issue, check everything including your luggage when you pack up to leave and when you arrive home in case you have a hitchhiker.
Fun Facts
• Black Widows and Brown Recluses are two of three spiders with medically significant venom in North America. The third is the Chilean Recluse.
• Brown Recluses will not outright attack a human. They bite when provoked— however, putting on a shoe in which they are hiding counts as provocation.
• Brown Recluses will build webs in out of the way places, but they are actually nocturnal active
• Many pesticides don’t work well for these spiders, as they don’t stick to their legs. However, sticky traps work rather well.
• The Black Widow’s hourglass isn’t always red; some variants of brown and yellow hourglasses have been seen.
• Black Widows are web hunters; they will purposefully hang upside-down on their webs to display the hourglass as a warning to predators.
 



#16 Mice

 
 

The only mice you want to invite into your home are the ones on television or the fancy pets kept in habitats. Pest mice may look cute, but these varmints can spread disease and contaminate your food; additionally, they leave waste everywhere and have destructive chewing habits.

Mice are adept climbers, so they can enter your home from a variety of places, clamber through walls, and access higher shelves to find food. The most obvious sign you may have a mouse problem is if you see their ‘pellets’ (waste droppings) in drawers and cabinets. If you are working on a mouse problem, make sure to wipe down surfaces consistently and clean dishes both before and after you use them.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Mice are small, furry rodents with body-length, scaly tails. They boast rounded ears and pointed snouts. For house mice, fur will typically be a light brown or dusty grey color with cream bellies. They scurry around on all fours, running, hopping, and climbing.
Size-wise, they typically range from 2.5 to 4 inches long (not including the tail). They have small nails on their paws.

Prevention
To avoid attracting mice, stay on top of habitat benefits they’ll look for.
1. Store all food— especially bird seed, grains, or pet food —in heavy plastic or rodent-proof metal containers.
2. Do not leave out uneaten food.
3. Rodent-proof garbage bins by setting them on a platform at least six inches from the ground. Keep lids secure, fastening them down if necessary.
4. Collect any fruit that falls from trees in your yard.
5. Search out holes around your foundation and eaves; fill or cover them. Caulk, cement, steel wool, plaster, and sheet metal are all viable options.
6. Mice do not like the smell of peppermint; you can plant peppermint in flower gardens or in pots around your home to help repel them.
Fun Facts
• Mice have poor vision, instead relying on their senses of smell and hearing.
• Mice dig out complex burrows in the ground, including escape tunnels, various routes, and long
• House mice breed rapidly and can adapt to rapidly changing conditions.
• Despite their small size, mice eat 15-20 times a day.
• Mice are excellent swimmers, jumpers, and climbers; they can also squeeze through openings as small as a dime.
• Over 30 species of mice are known, including more domesticated breeds.
• Mickey Mouse was the first cartoon depiction of a mouse, first airing in 1928; since then, many characters have been popular across household televisions including Speedy Gonzales, Jerry and Nibbles from Tom and Jerry, and Stuart Little.

Further Reading: Check out our ULTIMATE Guide to the best mouse traps you can buy and all the steps required to get rid of mice and keep them away for good. Click the link below to read this detailed guide!

• How To Get Rid Of Mice: Best Mouse Traps & Guide For Rodent Control

 



#17 Millipedes

 
 

Millipedes are one of the least dangerous of the ‘pests.’ Like the house spiders, they are rather beneficial to have around; unlike the house spiders, you want them around your house, not in it.

Millipedes fall in the pest category for two reasons: they serve no purpose in the home other than taking up space and getting underfoot, and many people are startled by their appearance. They don’t bite or carry a myriad of diseases; the only danger posed is that some varieties can release a foul-smelling odor that may irritate your skin.

They typically migrate inside if the outside becomes too hot or dry or if they were hiding in or under boxes and got carried in by mistake. They cannot survive long indoors, as it is too dry.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Millipedes are arthropods. This means they have an exoskeleton, jointed appendages, and segmented bodies. Often compared to worms with legs or elongated roly-polies, millipedes are long and round. They have two pairs of legs for every individual body segment, and their exoskeleton is generally a shiny black or brown.

Prevention
To keep millipedes from migrating indoors, take the following steps:
1. Check any boxes before carrying inside, including from garages.
2. Ensure all doors are properly sealed or screened.
3. Check weather stripping on doors.
4. Ensure crawlspaces are appropriately
Fun Facts
• Millipedes are beneficial because they are nature’s recyclers. Detritivores, they eat dead plants and animals. They recycle the nutrients back into the soil at a faster rate than the natural decay process.
• Millipedes need lots of moisture, so they favor damp spaces.
• They do not have a million or even a thousand legs; the average number is closer to 200 by adulthood.
• Millipedes will curl into a circle when they die, but they also do so as a defense The spiral helps protect their soft undersides, displaying their exoskeleton.
• While millipedes are related to centipedes, the two species are incredibly different. Millipedes are rounder, have two pairs of legs per segment, are slow, and are detritivores; Centipedes are flat, have one pair of legs per segment, are quick, and are carnivores. While millipedes are practically harmless, centipede bites are venomous and painful (if bitten by a centipede, speak with a physician).
• Millipedes are generally docile since they have no ability to bite, sting, or generally fight back. However, some varieties have stink glands that produce a foul-smelling, awful-tasting liquid. This liquid may irritate your skin if you are handling millipedes, so always wash your hands afterwards.
 



#18 Mites

 
 

Mites are a category of pests that is wide-ranging. These minuscule, insect-like arachnids can be anything from foragers and scavengers to parasites. Some mites are nuisances, others are a danger, and still more are harmless. Despite some similarities, mites and ticks are different.

Mites are almost as varied as insects. Dust mites are actually counted as a common allergen, and anyone from the Midwest can tell you what a chigger does to your ankles. If you find you have a mite problem, it is important to capture one for two reasons: pest control workers will not treat heavily without proof of an infestation, and knowing what mites they are dealing with helps them determine how best to treat your home.

How do you catch a mite? You can use a tissue dipped in rubbing alcohol or a piece of tape. The tape is a simple stick and pull away, but it makes identifying the species difficult. With the tissue, dab at the mite and then store it in a sealed sandwich baggie.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Mites are incredibly small and hard to see, the largest no bigger than 0.04 inches. You often need magnification to see them, though you can occasionally catch movement with your bare eyes.
Mites are almost oval in shape, with a body separated into two segments: the cephalothorax and abdomen. They have four sets of legs. Color is as widely varied as type.

Prevention
Mites are difficult to keep under control if they are prevalent in your area. Homeowners commonly have to call pest control to deal with them properly. While you cannot keep your home mite-free, you can take a few steps to reduce their numbers.
1. Protect pillows and mattresses with allergen covers.
2. Keep dust and clutter to a minimum.
3. Vacuum and wash bed linens often.
4. Keep humidity low in your home.
5. Keep pet dander to a minimum.
Fun Facts
• Some mites infest insects like honeybees; depending on the species, mites may eat plants, may pray on other mites, or may eat decaying materials.
• Mites can survive on land and in water.
• Mites do not have eyes.
• The most commonly discussed mite is the dust mite, but pet owners are familiar with many more.
• Dust mites cannot drink water. Instead, they absorb moisture through glands on their forelegs.
• Dust mites feed on dead skin cells that we naturally shed, and they often reside in mattresses. Some mattresses can double in weight over ten years due to growing dust mite populations.
 



#19 Mosquitoes

 
 

Many a camper and hiker are familiar with this particular pest. The high-pitched whine, the sting of the females’ bite, the itching after that. The sprays, natural remedies, candles, torches, anything that might help keep them away.

And that’s just outside. It’s worse when they invade your home. You find yourself waking up with a myriad of itchy bumps. Your family is interrupted by several attempts to smash the invader.

And if you’re a pet owner, you have even more concerns. You also have to protect your pets from mosquito bites and the dangers they hold.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Mosquitoes grow between a quarter and three-eighths of an inch. They have long, narrow, oval bodies. Mosquitoes are pale brown, though they have some white-like stripes across their abdomens. As is typical of insects, mosquitoes have six legs.
Because they have a single pair of wings, mosquitoes fall into the same order as flies.

Prevention
While mosquitoes are heavily prevalent, there are steps you can take to limit their presence around your home.
1. Avoid areas of stagnant water. If you have something with standing water (like a bird bath), then change out the water once a week.
2. Keep trash away from standing water.
3. Screen windows, doors, and other openings with a fine mesh.
4. Use insect repellent techniques that best fit your lifestyle, from Tiki torches to candles to sprays.
Fun Facts
• Only females feed on blood; they also eat plant nectar like males.
• Female mosquitoes must feed on blood to help with their egg development.
• Mosquitoes can spread diseases like dengue fever, malaria, and the West Nile Virus.
• Mosquitoes breed in soft, moist soil and stagnant water. Storm drains, old tires, wading pools, and birdbaths are all potential breeding grounds.
• Female Mosquitoes will fly up to 14 miles to find a blood meal; they hunt by detecting body heat and carbon dioxide and can drink up to three times their weight in blood.
• Mosquitoes hibernate when temperatures drop lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
 



#20 Stink Bugs

 
 

Also known as “shield bugs” because of their shape, stink bugs earned their more common name from the foul stench they release as a defense mechanism or when crushed. These bugs are not native to the US, with most reports starting in the late 1990s. They typically aren’t considered pests, but when they gather in large numbers, they can lead to significant nuisance and plant loss.

Stink bugs are most likely to invade during the fall. The main sign of an infestation is finding large numbers of them in your home, dead or alive. One or two may occasionally wander in, but multiples gathered together indicate a larger problem.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Remember that mention of “shield bugs”? Stink bugs are shaped very similarly to a shield. The wide, flat top of the shield stretches around the bug’s head. It then curves downward, meeting at a point at the bug’s rear end.
Stink bugs come in a few varieties, but the most common are the Green Stink Bug and the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. Green Stink Bugs are a vibrant green color, while the Brown is a patterned bug of various shades. Both camouflage well amid certain plants.
All stink bugs have six legs, a pair of antennae, and a pair of wings.

Prevention
The first step in any pest battle is trying to keep it from happening in the first place.
1. Seal off entry points, especially doors and windows
2. Replace and repair any damaged screens or torn weather stripping
3. Reduce sites of moisture and standing water
4. Eliminate food sources: sweep floors, wipe down surfaces, seal up food, secure garbage bins, etc.
5. Use a vacuum to remove any stragglers before they attract friends.
Fun Facts
• Stink bugs pierce and suck juice from plants.
• Stink Bugs don’t usually harm you, but they can bite when threatened. The bite may cause redness and swelling.
• Stink Bugs do not have many natural predators. Even those birds, reptiles, and insects that consume them do not do so in significant amounts.
• The main reason Stink Bugs invade is to find a safe place for the winter; they will even release another scent to attract more stink bugs.
• Stink Bugs are fond of apples, citrus fruits, cucumbers, grapes, green beans, plums, raspberries, soybeans, and tomatoes.
• Despite their more herbivorous traits, stink bugs will occasionally feed on caterpillars.
 



#21 Termites

 
 

If you own a home, odds are this isn’t the first you’re hearing about termites. One of the few pests powerful enough that mortgage companies make you pay for protection to qualify for buying a home. Known as the silent destroyer, termites can rip through walls, floors, any wood, and even wallpaper virtually undetected.

As winter melts away, the termites wake. They send out their Alates (also known as explorers or swarmers) to prospect for new locations. Don’t be fooled! Swarmers look like flying ants in an effort to camouflage as more harmless. Don’t tolerate the explorers.

Termites can cause massive structural damage in a short amount of time. While homeowners occasionally balk at the cost of protecting their home yearly, they spend far less than they would on renovations and repairs if their house was infested undetected.

Out of 20,000 species throughout the world, five are the predominate pests in the US: Subterranean, Formosan, Dampwood, Drywood, and Conehead Termites.

Termite Warning Signs

Swarmers aren’t the only indication of termite presence. You should also watch for the following:

• Cracked or bubbling paint
• Discarded wings from scouts
• Mud tubes build along exterior walls, rafters, wooden beams, or crawl spaces
• Wood that sounds hollow when tested
AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Termites typically grow between a quarter and a half an inch, though kings and queens are larger and able to grow past an inch. They are typically pale with soft bodies. They can be any color between white and light brown, with the workers paler and swarmers darker. Only the swarmers and reproductive have wings, two pairs.
Termites are insects, so they have six legs and two antennae. They also have long mandibles stretching from their heads. These mandibles allow them to chew through wood easily and to defend themselves and their young from predators and potential invaders.
Some variations between types include head coloration and overall size. Castes within a colony also have unique features to assist with different jobs. Workers are the smallest and can be confused with larvae. Alates or swarmers have hard exoskeletons, tend to be dark in color, and have two prominent wings. Soldiers protect the mound and can alert other termites of danger by kicking walls.

Prevention
The best idea is to set up a protection plan with pest control. However, you can take several steps to help deter termites.
1. Eliminate moisture problems
   • Divert water away from your foundation
   • Eliminate standing water, including on your roof
   • Keep gutters and downspouts clean
   • Keep vents open and clear
   • Remove excessive mulch or plant cover
   • Repair any leaking faucets, HVAC units, and water pipes
   • Seal entry points near water pipes and utility lines
2. Remove or protect food sources and entry points
   • Check decks, wooden fences, and other structures for any damage
   • Eliminate stumps and debris near your house
   • Keep soil away from any wood on your home
   • Screen vents and crawlspaces
   • Store firewood, lumber, and paper away from your home
Fun Facts
• While they look similar, it is possible to tell the difference between swarmers and flying ants
  • Flying ants: front wings are longer than hind wings; antennae are bent at 90 degrees.
  • Swarmers: wings are approximately equal length; antennae are straight but may droop.
• Only some castes of termites can see; Kings and Queens need to see for reproduction, but soldiers and workers are blind since they spend most of their time in the dark.
• Special enzymes and other microorganisms help termites digest wood. They are not born with these; young must eat the feces of other termites to develop the needed bacteria.
• Several animals throughout the world eat termites, which helps offset their rapid reproduction; in some areas of the word, humans also eat them as a treat.
• Termites will eat live, processed, and decaying wood as well as some fungi.
• Termites cause over $5 billion in property damage every year.
 



#22 Ticks

 
 

Almost anyone who knows to prepare mosquitoes is also familiar with this particular bloodsucker. Ticks are parasites which often feed on animals and humans. Not only are they a nuisance, but they can also transmit multiple diseases, including Lyme disease.

Ticks will climb to the edge of long grass, twigs, anything, and stretch their forelegs up into the air. As soon as a human or animal passes by, the tick latches on and starts climbing.

If you have ever tried to flick a tick off of your jeans, then you know those suckers have a vice grip. The best way to eliminate them is to either flush them or seal them in a plastic bag and either take to a doctor for identification or mail in to certain research labs for study. (Yes, that’s a thing; researchers are very appreciative as it helps them track tick populations, ticks carrying Lyme disease, and other information.)

While ticks are more prominent in rural and wilderness areas, city dwellers are not immune to their presence. As such, all pets should be treated with proper preventatives as recommended by a veterinarian.

AppearancePreventionFun Facts
Appearance
Ticks, like mites, count as arachnids. However, they only have six legs during their larval stage. Ticks are small and almost-round, often smaller than a sunflower seed. When they are first seeking prey, they are very flat. After they have finished a full meal, they are large and almost round.
Colors vary by species, but ticks commonly found on dogs and people are small and black (able to pass as freckles) before swelling and turning grey.

Prevention
Ticks can be found in debris piles, long grasses, foliage that borders meadows, trees, and more. It can be hard to avoid them, so you — and your pets — should be prepared.
1. Use proper protection as recommended by your veterinarian for dogs and cats.
2. Keep jeans tucked into boots and sleeves tucked into gloves; the less skin you have exposed, the fewer places to attract a tick.
3. Clean up landscaping debris in your yard. That pile of twigs and branches from tree trimming? Don’t let it sit there; that’s just asking for ticks.
4. Like with other arachnids, seal cracks and crevices on the outside of your home and properly seal doors and windows.
5. Some insect repellents work on ticks, and many companies are developing natural blends based on cedar oil to treat your yard.
(Not so) Fun Facts
• If a tick bites you, it’s likely to stick around for a while if you don’t remove it.
• Most internet remedies for ticks do not work, and some increase your risk of being infected.
• You can use tweezers to remove ticks, but you risk ‘backwash’— i.e., squeezing blood and spit back through the bite— and leaving the head.
• Tick removal tools are the best option for being rid of the pests.
• Ticks can carry several diseases at once, but exposure is neither instantaneous nor guaranteed if you are bitten.
• Ticks can live 200 days with neither food nor water.
 

Understanding is Half the Battle

Pest control in your home is a constant process that requires vigilance, research, action, and occasionally help from a pest control company. Most treatments, natural or commercial, need application; yards need upkeep. Homes must continually be cleaned, food cycled, and drains cleared.

Your house is your castle, and every castle needs a strong defense. While a moat might just make your problems worse (remember all those warnings about stagnant water?), you can arm yourself with what you’ve learned here to mount a solid plan.

Prevention Summaries

Many of the pests discussed above had similar prevention tactics to keep your home safe. The top ten pest prevention tips include:

• Secure garbage bins and store them away from your home
• Store firewood twenty feet from your home and handle with gloves
• Screen and secure eaves, crawl spaces, and more
• Screen and/or seal windows and doors, check weather stripping
• Ensure proper drainage and remove standing water; for fixtures like bird baths, change out the water once a week
• Minimize clutter and dust in your home
• Do not leave food open and unattended
• Wipe up spills and crumbs as soon as possible
• Ensure pets are adequately protected with veterinarian-recommended solutions

Nature’s Wisdom

Not everything requires harsh chemicals, and more companies are finding ways to treat pest issues naturally or relocate mice and other rodents. Don’t be afraid to try natural remedies, taking gradual steps in your fight against invaders. Many people like to try with prevention, then natural or ‘soft’ remedies, lighter chemicals, and then heavier pesticides.

However, it’s important to remember that even some natural remedies can be dangerous for members of your household, especially those with sensitive allergies and medical conditions and our feathered and fluffy family members. Due diligence is key when researching tactics to keep pests out but keep our families and pets safe.

Strength in Numbers

Remember, no homeowner faces this battle alone. Unfortunately, the internet is filled with both helpful information and misguided attempts to educate about pest control.

Researching potential strategies is always wise, and you can often find likeminded homeowners on social media sites who have both successfully and unsuccessfully dealt with pest situations similar to yours.

When all else fails, professional exterminators or pest control services may be your best bet. Pest control companies are committed to keeping their communities safe and healthy, so you can always turn to the professionals for help. Any legitimate company will have highly-trained professionals that can accurately assess your situation, offer a range of solutions, and help you with prevention once the original threat is eliminated.
 

The post Complete Guide To 22 Common Household Pests, Bugs & Insects appeared first on ISoldMyHouse.com.

]]> https://www.isoldmyhouse.com/how-to-get-rid-of-ants/ Tue, 15 Aug 2023 18:06:18 +0000 https://www.isoldmyhouse.com/?p=18149 Check out our ULTIMATE Guide to the best ant killer you can buy and all the steps required to get rid of ants and keep them away for good.

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Table of Contents

• How to Identify You Have a Problem with Ants
• Common Species of Ants
• Best Ways to Kill Ants and Get Them Out of Your Home
• Best Ways to Repel Ants and Prevent Future Infestations
• Importance of Keeping Ants Out of Your Home
• When to Seek Professional Help
  

 

Pests. You don’t have to live in a full-size single-family home to cringe at the term.

Whether you rent an apartment or own your own space, odds are you’ve come to face one if not more of the varmints that fall in this category.

Above all others, one certain pest has become synonymous with the term: ants.

These little insects have been deemed the #1 nuisance pest in the US by the National Pest Management Association.

Unfortunately, ants are more than just a nuisance— they can cause a variety of problems in your home, such as contaminating your food or damaging your property.

These little miscreants love to invade. Whether it’s your home, your yard, or your outings, ants are everywhere.

But you don’t have to put up with their presence.

Dealing with ants is a multi-stage process.

The worse the infestation, the more steps.

If you do not have ants and do not wish to get them, you can take steps to repel and prevent the invaders before they sniff out that first crumb.



How to Identify You Have a Problem with Ants

 

The first stage in dealing with ants is finding out if you have an infestation— and just how bad that infestation is.

You need to recognize if you have an ant problem and what type of ants with which you are dealing.

Signs You Have an Ant Problem



The most identifiable sign of an infestation is if you have ants swarming around any exposed food or walking a trail to and from somewhere.

Don’t panic if you see the odd ant here and there— these are simply scouts searching for a source, not a sign of infestation.

While you may make it a habit to cover all of your food —as well you should— ants are quick to find even the smallest crumb that escaped notice.

Next, take a tour of your yard.

Do you see any ant colonies? Where there is a colony, there is a risk for infestation.

Ants will travel incredibly long distances to find a source of food or water, and then they leave a small scent trail for the rest of their fellows to follow.

Since carpenter ants are one of the worst species with which to deal, due mostly to the amount of damage they can cause your home, these next two steps deal specifically with them: listen to your walls and look for wood shavings.

Carpenter ants are primarily nocturnal, so if you place your ear against your walls at night, you may hear a soft rustling as they work on their nests.

If you are familiar with the woodwork of your home, you can also occasionally knock over areas of solid wood and make sure they aren’t starting to sound hollow.

When it comes to the wood shavings, you are looking for deposits where the carpenter ants have started burrowing.

They will leave a small trail of sawdust in their wake because unlike termites, they do not eat the wood.

Many ants love wet spaces.

Whether they want a water source or a humid environment, damp areas are at risk of catching a colony’s attention.

Keep an eye out in your yard for signs of rotting wood or damp areas to ensure they haven’t gained new tenants.



Common Species of Ants

 
 
 
Over 700 species of ants have been identified in the US alone, so knowing just what kind have graced you with their unwanted presence can be a daunting task.



Luckily, most nuisance ants belong to the top 18 species, which we’ll discuss below.

Top 18 Species of Ants Found In Homes

Odorous House Ants

Odorous House Ants

If you’ve ever crushed an ant and been assaulted by the smell of rotten coconuts, then you discovered an odorous house ant. These minuscule ants can be brown or black in color and range from one-sixteenth to one-eighth of an inch.

• Location
  • Found throughout the US;
  • Love moisture areas: can be found near hot water pipes, in heaters, beneath leaky fixtures, and inside wood damaged by termites.
• Habits
  • Have a massive sweet tooth; favor honeydew
  • Move their colonies every three or so months because of rain
• Threats
  • Food contamination

Pavement Ants

Pavement Ants

Ever been out for a walk and seen a steady line of ants trailing in and out of a crack in the sidewalk? Meet the pavement ant. With carapaces ranging from brown to black, these ants typically stop growing at an eighth of an inch.

• Location
  • Found throughout the US
  • Infest structures
  • Shelter colony entrances under cracks in pavement such as sidewalks, driveways, and other areas.
• Habits
  • Omnivores will eat generally anything they can find.
  • Forage in trails as far as 30 feet away from their colony.
  • Will climb anything, including masonry walls, to reach occupied areas with food.
• Threats
  • Food contamination

Ghost Ants

Ghost Ants

Tiny and pale, these ants can be hard to see at first— hence the name. Ghost ants have a brown head and thorax, while their abdomen and legs are a pale yellow-like color. Their workers tend to be one-sixteenth of an inch long.

• Location
  • Found throughout the US and Puerto Rico
  • Also found in Canada and the Caribbean Isles
  • Outdoors, nest in the ground, cavities or crevices in dead branches, under stones, inside logs, and inside piles of leaves or debris
  • Interior nests within wall voids, behind baseboards, in the foundation, between cabinets, and in potted plants
• Habits
  • Highly adaptable
  • Colonies span multiple nests with several queens and thousands of inhabitants
  • Fond of honeydew and sweets
  • Will eat dead and living insects
• Threats
  • Give off a rotten odor when crushed
  • Food contamination
  • Heavy infestations

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter Ants

As mentioned above, carpenter ants will dig into your walls and other wooden structures to build nests for their colonies. They do not eat the wood. Most colonies will have one queen and thousands of other ants. A colony will not put out swarmers until the nest is a couple of years old. Carpenter ants can be black, red, or a combination of both colors and grow to five-eighths of an inch.

• Location
  • Found throughout the US
  • Most commonly found in the Northern US
  • Outdoors: will nest in tree stumps, rotting fences and fence posts, old firewood, under stones, and more
  • Indoors: inside walls and other wooden structures
• Habits
  • Prefer wood that is wet or damaged by mold
  • Will excavate dry, undamaged wood to expand
  • Feed on honeydew and other insects, plant juices, and fruit juices
  • Forage up to 300 feet from the nest
• Threats
  • Structural Damage
  • Food Contamination
  • Painful Bites

Rover Ants

Rover Ants

Rover ants are a fairly new addition to ants in the United States, having migrated from South America with reports growing more frequent during the early 2000s. They range from a pale yellow-like color to deep brown and grow to approximately one-eighth of an inch. Rover ants bear two distinctions: their antennae are only in nine segments (as opposed to the standard twelve), and their thorax has a hump-like shape to the front.

• Location
  • Primarily in the southern US, in Georgia and all states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Nevada
  • Will nest anywhere outdoors and in
  • Particularly found in wall voids and moist soil areas
• Habits
  • Smaller colonies with a few hundred inhabitants
  • Love sweet foods
  • Found mostly in urban areas with lots of human activity
• Threats
  • Massive infestations
  • Food contamination
  • Can be considered public health risk in sensitive areas of hospitals

Argentine Ants

Argentine Ants

Argentine ant colonies can be massive, stretching under entire yards and habits in an intricate network of tunnels. These ants are a shiny dark brown or black and grow up to a quarter of an inch.

• Location
  • Southeastern US
  • Fond of wet environments near food sources
  • Outside, typically nest in shallow colonies under boards, stones, or plants
  • Will seek shelter indoors when outside is too wet or dry
• Habits
  • Prefer sweets, but are omnivorous
  • Continuously deposit food trails to avoid wasting time revisiting areas
• Threats
  • Give off a musty odor when crushed
  • Food contamination

Red Imported Fire Ants

Red Imported Fire Ants

Often referred to as ‘RIFA’ for short, these ants are one of the more painful varieties. They have a prominent reddish brown color and grow between one and three-eighths of an inch.

• Location
  • Can be found from Maryland to Texas, California, and New Mexico
  • Most common in southern states
  • Build flattened mound nests outside, which have an irregular shape and can spread two to four square feet
  • Typically nest near foundations and within landscaping
  • Rarely come indoors, but it does happen
• Habits
  • Commonly introduced to areas through potted plants, shrubs, and trees
  • Incredibly territorial and defensive of nests
• Threats
  • Painful bites and stings
  • Often multiple stings delivered
  • Those allergic to insect stings will have a more powerful reaction to RIFAs

Crazy Ants

Crazy Ants

These little invaders earned their name from their erratic and jerky running style. Ranging from one-sixteenth to one-eighth of an inch, these ants are a dark brown or black color with a grey shine.

• Location
  • Found in all regions
  • Only found indoors in the northern states
• Habits
  • Will feed on insects (alive or dead), fruits, honeydew, and seeds
  • The farther north you go, the less likely these ants can live outside— especially during the winter
• Threats
  • Food contamination
  • Nuisance

Field Ants

Field Ants

Field ants gained their name for their preference to nest outdoors. They are the largest genus of ants north of Mexico. Other common names are red ants, wood ants, and thatching ants. They range in color from pale yellow to dark red or brown (or a combination therein), and grow between one to three-eighths of an inch.

• Location
  • Throughout the US
  • They construct mounds from plant materials like twigs, leaves, and pine needles
  • Typically nest around small trees, shrubs, or rocks
  • Some species build in sidewalk cracks and wall foundations
• Habits
  • Primarily feed on honeydew
  • Some species are scavengers and prefer meats
  • Some field ants will gather and maintain a small farm of aphids for a constant supply of honeydew
• Threats
  • Painful Bites
  • Can cause aphid infestations

Acrobat Ants

Acrobat Ants

Acrobat ants can raise their abdomen up and over their heads; this yoga-like stance earned them the nickname. They are primarily a nuisance, but they will bite when disturbed. These light brown to black ants grow to an average of one-eighth of an inch.

• Location
  • Found in all regions
  • Outside, will nest under rocks, in logs, in and around firewood, and inside decayed trees
  • Inside, nest in wall voids or wood with moisture damage or fungal decay
• Habits
  • These opportunistic ants will nest in wood that has been cleared out by other insects like carpenter ants and termites.
  • Will feed on live or dead insects and honeydew
  • Drawn to sweets and high-protein foods
• Threats
  • Property damage like stripped insulation
  • Bites when threatened
  • Foul odors when disturbed

Harvest Ants

Harvest Ants

Harvester ants like to collect seeds, thus the name. 22 species of harvester ant inhabit the US, including the California, Florida, red, black, and Western harvester ants. They are typically orange to red or brownish black in color and grow between a quarter to a half of an inch. They often have one pair of spines along the top of their midsection, with more spines growing in a ‘beard’ on their head.

• Location
  • West of the Mississippi River and Florida
  • Build moderate to large mounds
  • Will not come inside to nest, but will invade the home for food/water
• Habits
  • Periodically move their nests due to microclimate changes
  • Will feed on other insects
• Threats
  • Property threats in urban areas
  • Sting when disturbed
  • Stingers break off in wounds, can cause severe allergic reactions

Leafcutting Ants

Leafcutting Ants

These ants earned their name from their habit of cutting leaves into small pieces to be carried back to the nest. Their colors range from rust brown to a dull, dark brown, though their legs and abdomen are typically paler. They range in size from one-sixteenth of an inch to half of an inch.

• Location
  • Arizona, Texas, western Louisiana, and southern California
  • Prefer to nest in the soil in warm agricultural areas
  • Do nest in urban areas, though they rarely nest inside the home
• Habits
  • Spend the hottest time of the day in their nest, blocking exits to preserve moisture
  • Travel up to 600 fr away from the nest to gather leaves
  • They use leaves to raise fungus for food
• Threats
  • Rapid defoliation and agricultural damage
  • Workers have large mandibles; bites can draw blood

Little Black Ants

Little Black Ants

These ants were named for their appearance, though they can also be brown. These ants are typically jet black and don’t grow over one-sixteenth of an inch.

• Location
  • Found throughout the US, particularly in eastern regions
  • They are common in wooded areas
  • In yards, they nest in rotting logs, under rocks, and within piles of bricks or lumber
  • In homes, they nest in woodwork, wall voids, decaying wood, and masonry or behind facades
• Habits
  • Swarm from June to August
  • Feed on fruits, grease, meats, oil, and vegetables; love sweets
  • Workers will feed on honeydew, other insects, and plant secretions
• Threats
  • Food contamination
  • Swarms
  • Small, weak stingers

Pharaoh Ants

Pharaoh Ants

Native to Africa, these ants were once mistakenly related to the plagues in Egypt. They boast pale bodies, typically a yellow to red with darker abdomens. Length-wise, they average one-sixteenth of an inch.

• Location
  • Found in all regions
  • Often found in commercial food handling businesses like grocery stores, hospitals, and hotels
  • When outside, they prefer shaded areas and debris piles
  • Inside, they will hide in hard-to-reach areas like wall voids, baseboards, furniture, and floors
• Habits
  • Eat a variety of materials such as oils, proteins, and sweets
  • Will feed on dead insects
  • Members of the colony may ‘bud’ out into new nests if disturbed
• Threats
  • Food contamination
  • Major nuisance
  • Implicated in the spread of disease pathogens, including salmonella

Pyramid Ants

Pyramid Ants

So named for the pyramid-like protrusion on their thorax, pyramid ants have a reddish black head and thorax and a pure black abdomen. They average one-eighth of an inch in length. These ants are actually fairly beneficial, as they eat invasive and aggressive fire ants, but their presence means that something nastier lives nearby.

• Location
  • Thrive in southern states
  • Build volcano-shaped mounds in yards.
• Habits
  • Preferred foods are honeydew and other insects
  • They will eat aggressive fire ants
• Threats
  • Rotten odor when crushed
  • Unsightly, cone-shaped mounds
  • Can bite, but not aggressive

Thief Ants

Thief Ants

These ants will nest near other colonies in order to steal their food and brood. They share the pale yellow to dark brown of Pharaoh ants and grow to approximately one-sixteenth of an inch.

• Location
  • Throughout the US
  • Exposed soil, under objects and debris, in trash or in rotten wood
  • Small crevices, woodwork, and masonry, traveling through wall voids
• Habits
  • Swarms in July and early fall
  • Attracted to animal fats, bread, dairy products, fruits, meats, nuts, and oils
  • Also feed on anything organic like other insects, seeds, and mealybugs
• Threats
  • Carry disease-inducing organisms
  • Intermediate hosts for poultry tapeworm

White Footed Ants

White Footed Ants

While white-footed ants are typically a black to dark brown in color, their tarsi (or feet) are a pale yellowish-white. They grow to around one-eighth of an inch long.

• Location
  • Throughout the US in both rural and urban areas
  • Outdoors, they look for moist environments, such as under loose bark or rocks, within decaying trees or branches, and in abandoned termite galleries.
  • Inside, nest in wall voids, attics, roof shingles, skylights, bathrooms, and kitchens.
• Habits
  • Nocturnal
  • Prefer honeydew and nectar, will invade homes for water and sweet liquids
  • Do not share their food with other ants
• Threats
  • Small stinger
  • Nuisance infestations
  • Food contamination

Yellow Ants

Yellow Ants

Yellow ants are named for their color. They grow between two- and three-sixteenths of an inch. Other common names for yellow ants are citronella ants due to the odor they give off when crushed.

• Location
  • Throughout the US near areas of high moisture
  • Outside, nests in soil beside structures, along foundations, or under rotten logs.
  • Inside, nests in damp wood (such as behind tub tile walls) or in damp crawl spaces.
• Habits
  • Swarms during June and July
  • Nocturnal
  • Feed on honeydew almost exclusively
• Threats
  • Food contamination
  • Nuisance pest



Best Ways to Kill Ants and Get Them Out of Your Home

 

Now that you know what ants are becoming an issue, it’s time to get rid of them.

You need to eliminate any nests within your walls— taking out the outdoor nests is a bonus.

You have three options:

1. Chemical-based Ant Killer
2. Natural-based Ant Killer
3. Extermination Services

In this section, we’ll look at the chemical-based and natural-based.

Extermination services will be covered in a later section.

Best Ant Killer – Chemical-Based

With chemical-based ant killers, you have four major product types: liquid ant baits, sprays, gels, and granules.

Consumers have had success with each, though the uses and results vary by product.

When it comes to any product, read all the labels carefully.

The below is general information, and the product of your choice may have variations.

Best Liquid Ant Baits & Traps

Ant baits & traps can be used for ant infestations inside the home as well as outdoors, just be sure to buy the correct type.

They typically contain borax or a similar ingredient as the active ingredient with several others.

Ant foragers will be attracted to the sweet liquid.

Ant bait stations work as a “slow kill,” so the worker will transmit the location to other ants and have pieces carried back to the colony.

	Terro T300 Ant Killer Liquid Ant Baits	Hot Shot Ultra Liquid Ant Bait	Terro 1806 Outdoor Liquid Ant Baits
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Which Ants:	Liquid ant baits work best for Argentine, Carpenter, Ghost, Odorous, Pharaoh, and Pavement Ants.
Indoor/outdoor use:	Some are made for indoors, others for outdoors. Pay attention to packaging recommendations, as outside baits are more powerful than indoor.
How much is needed:	These baits often come in small plastic tabs that you set around your house anywhere you have seen ants. For the rare liquid needing to be dispersed, generally, one to two small dabs will suffice.
How long:	Results should be seen within a few days, but you want to allow up to two weeks for full eradication.
Active ingredients:	Borax
Safety precautions:	Not safe for pets to eat— keep them away from any baits

 

Pros
• High success rate
• Consistently kills a variety of ant species
• Fast-acting
Cons
• Liquids are sweet, and may not work as well against ants preferring grease
• Ants may avoid if other food is available

Best Ant Spray

	Raid Ant & Roach Aero-Unscented	Ortho Home Defense MAX Insect Killer Spray	Raid Max Roach & Ant
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Which Ants:	This varies by spray, so read labels carefully
Indoor/outdoor use:	Most sprays can be used for both, though some will specify
How much is needed:	This will depend on the size of your treatment area; generally a thorough coating of lawns or around the edges and openings in your home.
How long:	You will typically see results within the first few days, but you must reapply sprays on a monthly basis to keep ants under control.
Active ingredients:	Contains pyrethroids, piperonyl butoxide, and permethrin; other products contain tetramethrin, cypermethrin and imiprothrin
Safety precautions:	Skin irritants, eye irritants, keep pets and children away during application and for a few hours after.

 

Pros
• Fast and effective
• Repels new ants
• Many varieties to cover a range of needs
Cons
• Monthly reapplication
• Pungent

Best Ant Gel

	Dupont Advion Ant Gel Bait	Raid Precision Placement Ant Bait Gel	Bayer Maxforce FC Killer Gel Ant Bait
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Which Ants:	Sugar lovers— Acrobatic, Argentine, Field, Ghose, little black, Odorous House, Pavement, Pharaoh, and thief ants included
Indoor/outdoor use:	Indoor use
How much is needed:	Apply in cracks and crevices where you see ants; several dabs
How long:	You will typically see results within 3-5 days
Active ingredients:	Fipronil
Safety precautions:	Harmful if swallowed, keep away from children and pets until hardened

 
Pros
• A strong attractant to sugar-loving ants
• Active for up to two weeks after application
• Hardens to seal holes
Cons
• Grease-preferring ants like fire ants will avoid these
• Can attract pets, which is unsafe
• Can turn rubbery and lose moisture too quickly

Best Ant Granules

	AMDRO Ant Block Home Perimeter Ant Bait Granules	TERRO Ant Killer Plus 3lb. Shaker Bag	Ortho Home Defense MAX Insect Killer Granules
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Which Ants:	Up to fifteen species, including fire ants and pharaoh ants (also kills other pests like cockroaches)
Indoor/outdoor use:	Outdoor use only
How much is needed:	How much is needed: use either as a band treatment around your home or all over your yard. These products have a conversion chart for you to take the area of treatment and determine how much to use. (typically 2-3 pounds per 1,000 square feet)
How long:	Results within 24 hours
Active ingredients:	Fipronil
Safety precautions:	After the treated area has been watered and then dried, these are safe around children and pets; toxic to fish and aquatic life; harmful if swallowed; eye irritant.

 
Pros
• Long shelf-life
• Waterproof, will not need to reapply because of rain
• Visible results in 24 hours
Cons
• Not as effective as baits
• Can be ignored and avoided by smarter ants
 

Natural Ant Killer

Many households are taking more natural approaches to pest control, hoping to avoid cons like skin and eye irritation or toxicity to pets and children.

Others just like keeping chemicals to a minimum.

Make Deadly Treat with Borax

Remember reading that borax was an active ingredient in baits?

This substance is actually a naturally occurring mineral and can be purchased.

You can make a sweet treat with any liquid or jelly-based foods and mix in a little borax.

You still need to keep these away from your children and pets, but it’s all-natural and still attracts sugar-loving ants.

You could also make a grease-based variety with similar results.

Our Recommendation: You can shop for Borax Powder on Amazon here.

Flower Pot and Boiling Water

A flower pot sounds innocent enough, right?

This tactic works best for outside colonies when you’ve located an entrance or mound.

You will need the terracotta-style flower pot with a drainage hole in the bottom.

Simply place the flowerpot upside-down over the top of the anthill or colony.

Then, take a pot of boiling water and pour it through the hole.

You are quite literally burning down the ant-hill.

A word of caution: if you are dealing with biting ants, be sure to wear protection in case any stragglers catch you at work!

Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

This option is non-toxic for animals and people and remains effective as long as it is present and dry.

You will want to read the package to ensure the food-grade diatomaceous earth of your choosing is rated for controlling ants and other pests.

So, how does this work?

The sharp, microscopic particles that make up FGDE pierce through the waxy outer layer on the ants’ bodies and disrupt the internal water balance.

In essence, it dehydrates ants so that they die.

Ready to learn how this is all-natural?

FGDE is an off-white powder similar to talk that is made from fossilized marine plankton.

Plankton jerky which in turn causes bug jerky.

Our Recommendation: You can shop for Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth on Amazon here.

Eco Friendly Sprays

More companies are starting to head consumers’ calls for eco-friendly, natural pest controls.

These products are specially formulated with all-natural, non-toxic ingredients.

The only downside?

They tend to cost more.

These sprays kill on contact like their chemical cousins, but they rely on ingredients like botanical oils to get the job done.

These sprays can also deal with other insects and some varieties of spider.

Our Recommendation: You can shop for Eco Friendly Ant Sprays on Amazon here.



Best Ways to Repel Ants and Prevent Future Infestations

 

You don’t have to eliminate entire colonies of ants to protect your home.

You may not have a choice if a full infestation is under way, but a variety of preventative measures and natural repellants can help repel ants from your home.

If you manage to repel and prevent, you can safe yourself a lot of headache and hassle in the future.

Eliminating an infestation is always more work, even if your preventative measures occasionally feel like an extra hassle.

Keep a Clean Home and Eliminate Food & Water Sources



Ants invade when they find a stable supply of food, water, and shelter.

The easiest way to keep them out is to keep them away from any sources of food or water.

Ants also like moist, humid environments, so keep an eye on any areas in your home where moisture can buildup.

Let’s take a look at steps you can take in the most commonly infested rooms of a house:

Kitchen

• Store sweet foods like sugar, syrup, and honey in snap-shut airtight plastic containers. Wipe them down to remove sticky residue.
• Place a bay leaf inside containers for dry goods such as flour; the pungent scent keeps ants away (and other pantry pests!)
• Clean up grease spills from all counters and floors immediately after they occur
• Rinse out soda and juice containers before recycling or tossing.
• Take out trash regularly; bonus points for cans that close!
• If you keep an open-air fruit bowl, toss out overripe fruits asap
• Watch for water buildup around your sink and any leaks in the facets and pipes.
• Pick up any leftover pet food and wash pet dishes regularly.

Bathrooms

• Inspect sinks, toilets, tubs, and all plumbing for any leaks or water buildup.
• Clean thoroughly with disinfectants and cleaners; wipe down the insides of drawers, as well.
• Check your shampoos, lotions, soaps, and other items for leaks, wipe off container surfaces, and wash away any buildup that occurs.

Overall Home

Ants can slip in through the smallest of cracks and crevices. The NMPA conducted a survey and found that ants can also be found inside walls, bedrooms, living rooms, basements, and HVAC units.

Pest Proof the Perimeter of Your Home

You can help prevent pests inside your home by finding most of the areas they can access. A small tube of silicone caulk will be your friend as you walk the perimeter of your house to seal any cracks and crevices.

Holes in windows and door screens can provide access, as can worn down weather stripping. Trim away any tree branches that stretch towards your home, and place repellants in the small holes that allow utility wires into your home.

Natural settling can cause cracks and crevices in your foundation, which you can seal with the silicone or hire a contractor to handle.

Natural Ant Repellant


A number of household items, many of them organic, can help keep ants away from your home. Here are 14 natural ant repellants for you to consider.

1) Vinegar

Ants absolutely detest the smell of vinegar. It won’t kill them, but it will create an invisible barrier to keep them away. You can also take a small syringe of vinegar to their nests and mounds to chase off the colony.

2) Citrus Fruits (Lemon, Limes, Oranges)

Make a puree of peels and warm water and pour it in and around anthills and access points. Not only will the ants go marching on, but your house will smell amazing!

3) Salt or Pepper

You can spread salt around nooks and crannies where ants enter your home. Ordinary table salt, nothing fancy! You can do the same with any granulated pepper.

4) Cinnamon

You can use ground cinnamon or spray the essential oil. Either way, ants avoid the smell! Your house smells nice, and cleanup is a breeze. More and more homeowners are leaning towards the oil, as you can spray it along access points and then forget it. Get some cinnamon essential oil spray on Amazon here.

5) Peppermint

Spraying peppermint oil around access points can help prevent ants, but there’s more! If you have an essential oil diffuser, you can diffuse peppermint oil anywhere you see ants starting a trail to immediately chase them away. This gives you time to clean up whatever attracted them in the first place. Get some peppermint essential oil spray on Amazon here.

6) Baking soda

Baking soda cuts right through an ant’s protective acidic barrier, eliminating their defenses. Whether the baking soda itself causes them pain or the ants don’t like being defenseless, they’ll stop coming around.

7) Vicks Vapo Rub

Vick’s contains a mix of strong vapors. They cut through our congestion, but did you know they give ants a major headache? Simply dab Vick’s Vapo Rub around access points in your home to chase off any scouts.

8) Flour

Flour can repel ants, though you’ll have a little more cleanup than with other options. Sprinkle a line around pantry shelves and across entry points to repel the invaders.

9) Sugar Substitutes like Equal

Equal acts like a neurotoxin to ants. Mix packets with something like apple juice to attract the ants and lead them to their own demise.

10) Coffee Grounds

Yet another granular repellant that overpowers an ant’s sense of smell, spreading coffee grounds around access points can chase off invaders. You can also spread these over anthills to get a colony to move.

11) Tape

You can spread tape stick-side up around the edges of your counters or around ‘prize’ items like sweets. The tape acts as a miniature moat.

12) Chalk

Chalk contains calcium carbonate, which deters ants. Draw a line of chalk that ants won’t cross, or let the kids decorate the foundations of your home. You can also scatter powdered chalk around your home and in your gardens.

13) Cucumbers

The scent from cucumbers can overpower the scent trail left by ants for their fellows to follow; it also repels ants. You’ll want to use the skin of the cucumber, wiping it along the path of any ant trails or placing it in entrance points.

14) Talcum Powder

Talcum powder is another substance that ants actively avoid. Sprinkling it can repel them from access points and chase them away from a scouted prize.



Importance of Keeping Ants Out of Your Home

 

You may be wondering just why it’s so important to keep ants out of your home. Sure, they’re a nuisance, but are they really causing any harm?

Short answer: yes. Ants cause a variety of issues within your home, from causing property and structural damage to putting your home at risk. Some ants also have painful bites and stings, the worst of which can cause allergic reactions or create large welts on your skin.

• Spreading Food Borne Disease Organisms— ants carry and transmit bacterial and fungal organisms that carry diseases. An example is the pharaoh ant, which carries clostridium, salmonella, staphylococcus, and streptococcus.
• Ant Bites & Stings — no one likes being in pain. Some ants have particularly potent venoms that also react with our skin to cause welts or create serious, and sometimes life-threatening, reactions. Lesions, pain, swelling, itching, and anaphylaxis are all potential reactions.
• Home Damage — from the wood-chewing habits of carpenter ants to insulation stripping to make room for nests, ants can cause a lot of damage in our homes.
• Food Infestation — from E. coli to Shigella and Salmonella, ants can contaminate our food with more than just germs and standard bacteria. Let’s not forget that ants aren’t exactly hygienic.



When to Seek Professional Help

 
 

No shame comes with admitting you need help. And with ants, it’s likely you will. Colonies carry hundreds to thousands of members, often with several queens. They reproduce quickly, and smart ants won’t take to baits.

You can eliminate a lot of hassle by calling an exterminator. These technicians are trained to recognize types of ants and know what solution works best to chase off the colonies. They also know how to reach those hard-to-get places like wall voids to chase out ant nests.

You can still DIY the occasional ant visit, but constant visits and larger problems like infestations need a professional touch.

How Much Does an Ant Exterminator Cost?

Calling an exterminator is often less expensive then trial-and-error with multiple potential solutions—not to mention all the food you may end up throwing out due to contamination or any home repairs.

One-time treatments

The price for a single visit will vary based on the size of the property being treated, but a safe average is between $90-$250. However, treatment for carpenter ants will always cost more, as there is far more effort involved.

Reoccurring contract treatments

Annual contracts can provide continuous protection to your home, ensuring that ants will never become a problem. Visits can take place by the month or by quarter. Contracts typically range between $600-$1500, once more dependent on the size of your treatment area and also the number of visits per year.

Additional costs

Depending on the type and range of your infestation, you may come across extra costs. Having an exterminator pest proof your perimeter, for instance, will ensure a thorough seal but cost a little extra (around $60-90 in labor charges).

You also need to repair any damage the ants caused and replace any contaminated food, which can all add up.
 



Final Thoughts

 
 

It’s pretty easy to tell why ants have been branded as the #1 nuisance pest.

They reproduce quickly, spread like wildfire, contaminate any food they touch, and can spread dangerous diseases.

Preventing and repelling ants from the beginning is always the best approach, but don’t be afraid to call an exterminator if you’ve discovered an infestation.

The sooner you act, the better you will protect your home— and everyone within.

Additional Pest Control Reading: Check out our other guides to the keeping all types of pests out of your home. Click the links below to read these detailed guides!

• Complete Guide To 22 Common Household Pests, Bugs & Insects
• How To Get Rid Of Mice: Best Mouse Traps & Guide For Rodent Control

Do you have an ant problem or did you solve one? Tell us about your experience or drop any questions you may have for us in the comments below!

The post How To Get Rid Of Ants | Best Ant Killer & Natural Options appeared first on ISoldMyHouse.com.

]]> https://www.isoldmyhouse.com/how-to-get-rid-of-mice/ Tue, 15 Aug 2023 02:04:57 +0000 https://www.isoldmyhouse.com/?p=16278 Check out our ULTIMATE Guide to the best mouse traps you can buy and all the steps required to get rid of mice and keep them away for good.

The post How To Get Rid Of Mice: Best Mouse Traps & Guide For Rodent Control appeared first on ISoldMyHouse.com.

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Table of Contents

• Identify You Have A Mice Problem
• Importance Of Keeping Mice Out Of A Home
• Forming A Strategy for Removing Mice
• Best Mouse Traps – Snap | Electrical | Glue | Catch & Release
• How to Remove the Mice From Your House
• Prevent Mice From Returning
• When to Seek Professional Help

 

For some of us, a scratch or squeak in the night may be the stuff nightmares are made of. A little critter scurrying across the kitchen floor may be enough to make us jump on the table, letting out a scream worthy of waking the entire block.

Some others may find these furry little critters cute and even sometimes choose to keep them as pets!

Regardless of where you fall on the “cute vs ick” scale, most people can agree that wild mice are best left to the wild, not in our homes. But to a mouse, your house may look like the perfect refuge from the elements outside.

When faced with a mouse infestation, addressing the issue at first indication of this pests presence is paramount. The quicker you eradicate the first invaders, the easier it will be to keep the problem at bay and prevent breeding and multiplication.

If you want to learn all about getting rid of mice then keep reading through our detailed guide below or you can click here to jump to our recommended best mouse traps section!



How To Identify You Have a Problem with Mice Infestations

 

Mice are one of the most prevalent household pests in the United States, from the humble Mus Musculus (common House Mouse) to the acrobatic roof/ship rat.

Once faced with an infestation, due to their rapid breeding cycles and superb ability to sneak through the tiniest of spaces, they can be a difficult pest to eliminate.

It’s important to familiarize yourself with the common signs of rodents taking up residence in your home. The quicker you can identify the problem, the faster you can act, increasing your chances of success exponentially.

In this handy guide, we will teach you how to identify common mice, teach you the signs to watch for, show you the best mouse traps and tell you how to go about the elimination process.

Common Species of Mice

While there are over 40 species of mice throughout the world, there are only 3 species you are likely to encounter invading your home. Those three species include:

House Mouse (Mus Musculus)

House mice are the most common household pests in the rodent world. House mice are active all year round, making your home or office prone to an infestation at any time.


• Identification: House mice are around 70 to 95mm in length, not including the tail, which measures about the same length as the body. Their head and feet are small, with large eyes and rounded ears that distinguish them from small brown rats. Their colors range from light to dark brown.
• Lifecycle: With 7-8 litters a year of 4-16 babies per litter, it’s no wonder house mice can become a difficult pest to eradicate. Most house mice live less than a year in the wild, however, they can live up to three years in rare cases.
• Habits: House mice prefer a diet of cereals and have the ability to consume 3 grams of food a day. They require very little water to survive, however they can consume up to 3ml a day when living off a very dry diet. Though house mice prefer burrowing and living close to the ground, they can climb as well.

Deer Mouse (Peromyscus Maniculatus)

Deer mice are most commonly found in wooded areas. That doesn’t stop them from occasionally wandering into homes, however. Homes or sheds located in or around wooded areas are most prone to deer mouse infestations. In addition to carrying potential health risks, deer mice can be destructive to wooden structures.


• Identification: Deer mice measure around 80 to 100mm long, not including the tail. They have bi-colored long tails covered in short fur. They vary in color from pale gray to reddish brown on top with white fur on their bellies and feet.
• Lifecycle: Deer mice usually live around 2-14 months in the wild, though their lifespans can last up to 5-8 years in captivity. Female deer mice will have 2-4 litters per year with 3-5 young each. The female gestation period is 21-24 days.
• Habits: Deer mice are nocturnal and will, therefore, be most active at night. They are known for climbing and will often infest attics and upper floors, particularly during winter months when they seek shelter from the harsh conditions outside. Deer mice are known for carrying the deadly hantavirus, making it especially important to rid yourself of a deer mouse infestation as quickly as possible.

White Footed Mouse (Peromyscus Leucopus)

The white-footed mouse can be found throughout most of the east coast of the United States all the way to Colorado, Montana, and Arizona. White-footed mice are most common near bushlands or in properties bordering forested or agricultural areas.


• Identification: White-footed mice are similar in appearance to deer mice. Adult white-footed mice measure 90-100mm without the tail, which can add another 60-90mm. They range in color from grayish to reddish brown with white undersides and white feet. Their tails are usually the same two colors as their body.
• Lifecycle: In warmer climates, white-footed mice can live up to 48 months, while in colder northern climates their life expectancy is between 12-24 months.
• Habits: White-footed mice are omnivores, their preferred diet consists of seeds and insects. They are timid and generally avoid humans, though they can occasionally be found on ground floors where they will build nests to store food. Like deer mice, white-footed mice can also be carriers of hantavirus.

What to Look, Listen and Smell For



There are several things to keep an eye, ear, and nose out for in order to catch a mouse infestation early. Paying attention to these early warning signs can go a long way towards assuring any problems are caught in their tracks before needing to bring in help from the professionals.

Here are the warning signs of a mice problem in your home

• Mouse Droppings
• Torn and Shredded Fabric
• Small footprints in the dust in your house
• Gnaw Marks on Furniture
• Chew Holes in Walls, Cabinets and Other Structures
• Chewed Food Containers & Leftover Crumbs
• Mice Scurrying Away Quickly
• Scratching or Movement Noises at Night
• Foul Odors

 

Where to Inspect



Mice are good at getting into the deepest darkest corners of your home and turning it into a nest for them to breed and make a nice home for themselves in. It is important to find where they are hiding if you are serious about getting rid of your mouse problem in your home.

Here is where to look for mice in your house

• Inside of all rooms in the house: Mice move fast and could be hiding anywhere, so make sure no room gets left behind when searching for signs of a rodent infestation.
• Under counters and in closets: Mice love to hide dark corners such as under cabinets or in closets. Check for droppings and torn or shredded fabric.
• Inside kitchen cabinets and other storage areas: Cabinets and storage areas are often a mouse’s favorite hunting grounds for crumbs and nesting materials. Make sure to conduct a thorough search of all cabinets and storage spots.
• Behind & Under Appliances: Areas that are cleaned less often, such as underneath and behind appliances, are a good place to check for footprints and mouse droppings. These areas are usually hiding places for crumbs and bits of food, making them an optimal feeding ground for unwelcome furry guests.
• Attics and Garages: Attics and garages rarely kept as thoroughly clean as the rest of our homes. The clutter from storage boxes also creates ample hiding places for mice and other pests. Be sure to search diligently, checking behind and underneath anything you may have stored.
• Perimeter walks around the house: Cracks or holes around your house’s foundation are often responsible for giving rodents access to your home. Remember, mice can fit through cracks as small as ¼ inch, so be sure to do an intensive check around the perimeter of your home.
• Internal & External ductwork: Internal and external heating ducts are often used by rodents as a means of traveling through your home. Check to make sure there are no possible rodent entry points on your ductwork, inside and out.
• Exterior Doors: Be sure to check all external doors for possible entry points. Often, corroded or worn seals on your doors are to blame for furry guests making their way inside.
• Outdoor Air conditioning & Heating Units: Outdoor AC and heating units often leave openings for mice to enter your home. Utilizing steel or copper mesh to cover any gaps can be a good way to block entry while still allowing for proper airflow.
• Windows: Poorly sealed windows not only make your home less energy efficient when it comes to heating and cooling, but they also provide entry points for mice. Check your window seals thoroughly and re-seal as needed.

 



The Importance of Keeping Mice Out of Your Home

 

No matter where you fall on the rodent loving or hating spectrum, it’s important to keep your home rodent free for several reasons. Though mice may look cute and innocent, these tiny creatures can wreak havoc on your home.

Mice are known for chewing and gnawing, causing potential damage to the structure of your home, furniture, and even electric appliances. This damage to wires and electronics puts you at risk of electrical fires!

In addition to damaging property, a rodent infestation can be detrimental to your health. They can contaminate food sources, spread bacteria through your home, and affect the indoor air quality in your house, increasing your chances of getting sick.

Young children are especially prone to illness from a mouse infestation as kids often play around floors and frequently put their fingers in their mouths.

Aside from general bacteria and dirt, mice are known for carrying a range of potentially deadly diseases.

Diseases Spread By Mice



According to the CDC, there are a number of diseases spread by mice and getting rid of them inside your home will make for a more sanitary and safe environment for your family. Below are some of the most common diseases that can be spread.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and lymphocytic choriomeningitis:

Hantavirus is probably the most well-known of the diseases mice can carry into your home. Particles from urine and feces left in your home from mice carrying Hantavirus can enter your airways, putting you at risk of contracting this disease of the respiratory and neurological systems.

When cleaning any area thought to have been visited by mice, it’s important to use a mask and gloves to avoid a potential infection and to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. On rare occasions, Hantavirus can also be spread by direct contact or bites from an infected mouse.

Leptospirosis:

This infectious disease can affect you or your pets. Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria in drinking water. It is spread when traces of urine from infected animals, such as mice, enter a water supply. Don’t drink any water that has been left sitting out if you fear a mouse infestation in your home and remove pet water bowls in the night. Also be sure to clean your pet’s bowls frequently.

Salmonellosis:

Salmonellosis is a bacteria transmitted through mouse droppings. While Salmonellosis can affect anyone, children under 5 are especially at risk. Be sure to thoroughly clean any area your children might play and check for signs of mice frequently.

Plague, typhoid, and pox (Rickettsial infections):

These frightening diseases are spread by fleas and mites who live on mice. Avoid direct contact with mice or their droppings to avoid infection.

Forming a Strategy for Removing Mice

 

Obviously, the best way to eliminate mice from your home is to keep them from getting inside in the first place. However, even with the most thorough mouse-proofing regiment in place, it can be possible for a critter or two to slip by.

With the quick-breeding habits of mice, one or two can quickly multiply, leaving you will a full-blown infestation on your hands.

Now that you’re faced with an infestation, you have some decisions to make.

The first question you’ll have to ask yourself is whether to kill or capture and release. There are usually fairly strong opinions on this subject, and it’s important to do your research to select the best method of pest control for your situation.
 
 
 

Kill vs Capture



When deciding on how you want to tackle the job of getting rid of mice from your home, you have a decision to make. There is not a right or wrong answer, it’s a matter of personal preference. Do you want to kill or capture and release the mice?

The type of mouse trap you buy depends on your preference. Here is a breakdown to help you reach a decision.

Kill Traps: Generally consist of snap, glue and electric traps that are considered highly effective at luring mice in but can cause the mouse to suffer sometimes when using snap or glue traps. The snap traps will usually kill very quickly but glue traps, leave the mice to die slowly.

Snap and glue mouse traps are the cheapest options you can buy but an electric mouse trap is a highly effective tool to consider when the job requires the best money can buy and will kill a mouse the fastest without suffering.

Catch & Release Traps: These mouse traps will generally not harm the mice and will definitely not kill them, unless you don’t release the mouse and they starve to death. They can be used multiple times, making them more economical in the long run.

But you must handle the live mice and if they are released to close to home the mouse may return. Often these traps are more expensive initially than simple snap or glue traps.

Best Mouse Traps

Even if you decide to go the kill route, it’s important to limit unnecessary suffering and choose a method that provides a quick and relatively painless death. We’ve gone into more detail about the various styles of traps available on the market so you can make an informed decision for eliminating mice in your home.
 

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Snap Traps

Snap traps are the oldest and most well-known mousetraps on the market. They come in a variety of forms, such as the classic wooden disposable snap traps. However, the more modern and reusable plastic traps are considered far superior.

	Tomcat Kill and Contain Mouse Trap	Tomcat Press 'N Set Mouse Trap	Snap-E Mouse Trap
Rating
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
GENERAL FEATURES
Guaranteed To Kill
Finger Safe One Touch Set
Do Not See Dead Mouse
Reusable
Cheap Option

How they work:

You place a small dab of peanut butter or other selected bait in a small cup on the trap. Then, you pull the metal lever back 90 degrees (or 180 degrees for the wooden traps).

Pros
• Fairly easy to set and release
• On the reusable plastic traps, the release bar is positioned so you are not required to touch the dead mouse
• Plastic traps are reusable, making them very economical
• They kill quickly
Cons
• In most traps you will see the dead mouse, which some may find unpleasant.
• Wooden snap traps are notoriously difficult to set
• Considered cruel to some
 

 

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Electrical Traps

Electric traps are a modern addition to the world of pest control. Most electrical mouse traps require standard batteries and come in single-use disposable and reusable varieties, with the reusable kind priced accordingly.

The best part about electrical traps is they ensure the job gets done quickly + humanely and they kill the mice without any blood or other messes. And the mouse will not squeal when killed and will spare you from having to hear that happen!
 
 

Our #1 recommendation below, the “Victor M2 Smart-Kill Wi-Fi Electronic Mouse Trap” even has WiFi connectivity and an app you can download on your iOS or Android device to receive alerts when you have captured a mouse! Now that’s cool!

 


	Victor M2 Smart-Kill Wi-Fi Electronic Rat Trap	ASprint Electronic Rat Trap, High Voltage Emitting Mouse Rodent Traps	Victor M250S No Touch, No See Upgraded Electronic Mousetrap
Rating
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
GENERAL FEATURES
WiFi & SmartPhone Alerts
Guaranteed To Kill
Easy To Set
No See, No Touch of Dead Mice
Reusable
Cheap Option

How they work:

Electrical traps work by luring the mouse inside with bait. Once inside, a lethal electric shock is emitted, killing the mouse in seconds. Don’t worry, safety precautions are in place to keep the electric current from harming humans or pets.

Pros
• Easy to set, no pressure sensitive triggers required!
• You will not need to see the dead mouse
• Quick kill
Cons
• More expensive that snap traps
• Kills the mice making release not an option
• The buzzing sound can be unpleasant to some
 
 

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Glue Traps

If ease of use it what you’re after, it doesn’t get any easier than glue traps. With no mechanical or moving parts to worry about, all you need to do is place the bait and walk away.

Glue traps aren’t without controversy, however, as often it is difficult to remove the mouse from the glue and the glue itself doesn’t kill them, leaving you with a trapped live mouse with no way to release it. This could potentially lead to death by starvation, making this the least humane option.

	TheNoBuzz Mouse Rat Glue Trap	Tomcat Super Hold Glue Traps	Tomcat Mouse Glue Trap W/Eugenol
Rating
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
GENERAL FEATURES
Guaranteed To Kill
Easy To Set
Do Not See Dead Mouse
Reusable
Cheap Option

How they work:

Glue traps are usually made from a board of plastic or cardboard covered in a sticky adhesive. You place your bait on the trap and wait for the mouse to get stuck while going for the bait.

Pros
• Inexpensive
• Very easy to set up
Cons
• Considered the most inhumane of all traps
• Single use only
• Live release not always possible
• Must be kept away from children and pets
 
 

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Catch & Release Traps

For the most humane option for freeing your home of a rodent infestation, catch and release traps are the best option available. Instead of killing the mouse, a catch and release trap will lock the mouse inside a chamber, you are then able to release the mouse back into the wild.

It’s important to mention that when releasing the mouse, make sure to do it as far away from your home as possible. This assures the mouse won’t find its way back to your home, causing you to need to trap it all over again.

	CaptSure Humane Smart Mouse Trap	Kensizer Small Animal Humane Live Cage Mouse Mice Trap	Humane Mouse Trap That Work
Rating
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
GENERAL FEATURES
Guaranteed To Kill
Easy To Set
Do Not See Dead Mouse
Reusable
Cheap Option

How they work:

There are many types of catch and release traps on the market, with the main two styles being metal cages and plastic tubes. You will bait the trap like you would any other, then set the trap so the door is open. Once the mouse enters, a trigger will snap the door shut behind it, leaving the mouse trapped.

Pros
• The only no-kill option on the market, making them the most humane method of trapping mice
• Reusable
Cons
• They need to be monitored frequently. It’s best to release the mice back into the wild as soon after catching them as possible.
• You have to handle the mice
• If you release the mice too close to your home you risk re-infestation
 
 

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Why Poison Is Not Recommended

In addition to the above-mentioned traps, rat and mouse poison is another option you may see on the market. However, we strongly advise against taking this route. In addition to killing rodents, rat and mouse poison is highly toxic to other animals, potentially harming other wildlife.

Rat and mouse poison is also deadly to pets, and should never be left in an area where your furry family members might be exposed to it. In addition to potentially harming other animals, rat poison could be potentially life-threatening to humans, especially young toddlers and children who are prone to putting small objects in their mouths.

Another reason to avoid poison is the fact that it doesn’t always work quickly. A sick mouse or rat may look for safety back in its nest or in your walls, eventually dying and beginning to decompose in an area you may not be able to reach. Not only is this unsanitary, but a dead rodent in your walls can also cause an almost unlivable stench in your home.

 



How to Remove the Mice From Your Home – Tips and Tricks

 

There are several common mistakes people make when attempting to eliminate a rodent problem on their own. We’ve put together a list of the top tips for successfully eradicating mice from your home.

Follow these 8 steps to get rid of mice from your home:

1. Use the correct type of bait
2. Use the correct amount of bait
3. Keep your scent off the traps
4. Set a lot of traps
5. Put the traps in the correct spot
6. Check and replace traps every morning
7. Clean areas where traps were set and mice caught
8. Monitor for future mice activity

1) Use the correct type of bait

While many of us envision lumps of cheese as the preferred snack of mice everywhere, this is actually a common misconception.

While a hungry mouse may still go for a bit of cheese lying on the ground, you’re much more likely to catch a mouse with nuts or seeds. A small amount of peanut or other nut butter will usually work wonders.

Interestingly, in colder months you can also lure mice using pieces of string, cotton, yarn, or even dental floss. Mice love using items like this to build their winter nests.

2) Use the correct amount of bait

When it comes to choosing the right amount of bait, don’t use a heavy hand. If you use too much, a mouse may be able to steal some without being caught in the trap.

Using a small, pea-sized amount of bait will assure the house needs to get in close, giving the trap a higher likelihood of success.

3) Keep your scent off the traps

Mice are shy and cautious creatures who tend to avoid contact with humans when possible.

They have keen noses and may be deterred from your traps if they can smell you on them. For this reason, wearing vinyl or latex gloves when setting your traps in order to keep your scent off them is always a good idea.

Be sure to also wear gloves when collecting used traps to keep yourself safe from any potential diseases the mice may be carrying.

4) Set a lot of traps

Even though you may not see them, chances are your mouse problem is bigger than you think.

Mice reproduce quickly, and the faster to catch them all the better your chances. One or two mice left standing can quickly multiply, leaving you to start all over from the beginning.

Place mouse traps at least every 2 to 3 feet along any wall where you suspect activity. If there is an area in your home that seems to have extra rodent traffic, you can place traps as close as an inch or two apart to assure effectiveness.

5) Put the traps in the correct spot

Mice have a tendency to avoid wide, open spaces. They prefer dark corners or scurrying along walls when traveling from place to place.

Place your traps along walls with the bait and trigger end facing the wall, this forces them to explore the trap instead of going around it.

Dark areas such as the backs of cabinets, closets, or underneath the stove can also be effective.

6) Check and replace traps every morning

Whether you’ve chosen kill traps or the more humane catch and release traps, it’s imperative to check them often.

Forgotten traps of any kind can lead to a quite unpleasant surprise down the road. It is also most common for the first night of traps being set out to be the most active, so expect to do a lot of cleaning and re-setting the following morning.

Pro Tip: Keep setting and checking mouse traps until you haven’t caught a mouse for a week.

After you have caught a fair amount of mice in the first few days and it’s been a few days without a mouse being caught or any sightings, don’t celebrate just yet. It may be tempting at this point to put the traps away and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done, its best to err on the side of caution.

Keep your traps out and set until you’ve gone a full week or more without a catch in order to assure every last critter has been successfully eliminated or relocated.

7) Clean areas where traps were set and mice caught

Once you feel like you’ve successfully eradicated your rodent problem, it’s important to keep them away. Areas where you had the most success trapping mice were probably appealing to those mice for a reason.

It’s important to put extra care into cleaning and sanitizing these areas to prevent a re-infestation.

8) Monitor for future mice activity

Now that your home is rodent-free, it’s important to assure it stays that way.

In addition to proper cleaning habits and taking measures to block any means of entry into your home, continue to keep an eye and ear out for rodent activity.

Remember that the faster you discover a problem the easier it is to deal with.

Preventing Future Infestations

Mice are quite resourceful when it comes to finding their ways into the warm comfort of your home. A small mouse can squeeze through the tiniest of openings, as small as ¼ of an inch in diameter!

In addition to a mouse’s ability to fit through unlikely small spaces, they are also prone to gnaw and chew their way into homes. Drywall, wood, shingles, and siding are all potential weak points for gnawing.

Mice are also ample climbers and may enter your home through weak spots on the roof. To prevent a re-infestation, it’s important to inspect and mouse-proof any common entry points.

Other Key Tips for Prevention

Clean Your House & Practice Good Sanitation

Your first line of defense when it comes to keeping mice away is to always keep a clean and sanitized home. It isn’t always easy to keep the house spotless, our busy lives often get in the way and we leave minor messes to deal with later.

However, those little messes tend to grow and mice thrive in a dirty environment. Getting in the healthy habit of cleaning as you go will go a long way towards keeping your home rodent free.

First, make sure to always clean crumbs and food bits from countertops, tables, and floors. Mice can survive on very small amounts of food and water, and those little morsels might be just enough to keep them coming back for more.

Next, be sure to keep your house clutter-free. Piles of old newspapers, magazines, and junk mail are all tempting nesting materials for rodents. Eliminating old paper clutter will help discourage unwelcome pests.

Last but not least, be sure to keep your garbage can secure. It’s best to get a garbage can with a tight fitting lid and store it off the floor where it’s more difficult for mice to access it.

Mouse Proof Your Food

Eliminating the feeding grounds in your kitchen will go a long way to making your house a far less tempting residence for furry pests. Mice have strong teeth and can chew through plastic bags, wrappers, foil, and cardboard.

They also have excellent noses that can search out available food sources. Taking measures to assure your food is kept in mouse-proof packaging will help keep your home free of infestation.

Pet foods are considered a delectable delicacy in the rodent world. Since most pet foods come in paper or plastic bags, they are also easy pickings for furry guests.

Transferring dog and cat food into heavy plastic Tupperware containers can prevent the critters for accessing this tasty treat.

Make sure to keep the lids tightly sealed as well, as rodents can easily squeeze through the smallest of openings, especially where food is concerned.

In addition to pet foods, mice are also drawn to dry foods such as flour, seeds, sugar, and cereal. Keep your dry goods in tightly sealed heavy plastic, metal, or glass containers and high shelves.

As an added bonus, this will also keep your food fresher longer. If you’re prone to buying food in bulk and storing items in the garage or pantry, be sure to mouse-proof your back-ups as well.

Large plastic bins with tight-fitting lids are great for storing bulk items safely.

Get a Cat

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but when it comes to keeping rodents away there is no better companion for your home than a cat. Cats are mice’s natural predators.

Our feline friends love hunting and chasing mice, it provides good exercise and keeps our kitties spry and nimble.

Not only are cats great for hunting mice, but it has also been shown that having the scent of a cat around your property is a natural deterrent for mice.

When choosing to bring a cat into the family, however, it’s important to think of your feline companion as just that, a part of the family! Cats can be wonderful pets and are fairly independent, making them easier to care for than dogs.

However, that doesn’t mean they don’t require care and responsibility. Make sure you’re willing to put the time into properly caring for your new fur baby before bringing one into your home.

Essential Oils

Certain essential oils can be a great natural deterrent to mice. Mice have a keen sense of smell, and some natural scents that we find pleasant are completely overwhelming to them.

While essential oils on their own may not be enough to keep the furry beasts at bay, combined with a properly cleaned house and properly stored food, they might be just the extra push needed to keep your home rodent free.

The best essential oils to deter rodents are clove and peppermint. All you need to do is apply a few drops of oil to cotton balls and place them around your home in areas that might be prone to attracting mice, such as closets, cabinets, attics, and garages.

Wrapping whole cloves in some fabric and placing it in closets or drawers can also help.

Moth Balls

While not nearly as pleasant to the senses as essential oils, mothballs can also keep unwelcome rodents away.

Though mothballs were created to kill moths and moth larva, they have long been a popular choice for fight mouse infestations as well. The fumes from moth balls are irritating to mice and rats, keeping them from entering areas with mothballs present.

It is important to mention if choosing to use mothballs, they are toxic! So be sure to keep them out of reach of pets and children.

Mothballs also need to be replaced every 4 to 6 months so that they don’t lose their effectiveness.

Cayenne Pepper Spray

Whether you love or hate spicy food, keeping some cayenne pepper around can come in handy. Rodents are particularly sensitive to capsicum, the element in hot peppers that gives them their burn.

Spraying cayenne pepper spray around potential entry points for mice can be an effective method of repelling rodents.

To make the spray, mix a healthy portion of cayenne or other hot pepper (such as chilli flakes or habanero) in hot water. Allow the mixture to steep for 24 hours and then strain through cheesecloth and pour into a spray bottle.

Be careful and use gloves when making and handling the pepper spray, accidentally getting hot pepper on your hands and then touching your eyes is a recipe for serious tears!

Ultrasonic Pest Control Device

Now that we’ve covered cleanliness, proper storage, and scents that repel rodents, there is another keen sense that mice have that we can use to our advantage to keep the house pest free.

Mice have sensitive ears and have the ability to hear high-frequencies that are undetectable to the human ear.

A variety of ultrasonic pest control devices are available on the market. They are extremely easy to use and provide an extra level of protection from rodents and other household pests.

Simply plug the device into an available outlet in any room you feel is extra prone to attracting mice.

It should be noted, however, that cats and dogs can also hear high-frequencies and might be bothered by ultrasonic pest control devices. Therefore, these devices are best for use in homes without pets.

When to Seek Professional Help

Even if you’re an avid do-it-yourselfer, it’s important to know when to throw in the towel and seek professional help. Sometimes even the most diligent cleaning and removal strategies just aren’t enough to fully eliminate a rodent problem.

If you’re still faced with a mouse problem even after practicing all the above tips and tricks, it may be time to let a professional work their magic.

Professional exterminators are armed with special knowledge and equipment suited for seeking out and eradicating even the most stubborn mice.

How Much Does a Mouse Exterminator Cost?

Cost can be a major concern when considering hiring professional help.

There are several factors that need to be taken into account when determining the cost of a professional exterminator. No two situations are alike and several things are taken into consideration when your local professional extermination company provides you with a quote.

Final Thoughts

As resourceful as mice can be, when armed with the right knowledge you can easily gain the upper hand. Understanding how mice enter the home, their favorite hiding places, and their feeding and breeding habits are the first steps to preparing yourself to handle any unwelcome rodent situation.

Just remember, the most important step is to not delay, taking measures at the first sign of a fuzzy visitor. The less time you give mice to multiply, the easier your path to a rodent-free home will be!

Additional Pest Control Reading: Check out our other guides to the keeping all types of pests out of your home. Click the links below to read these detailed guides!

• Complete Guide To 22 Common Household Pests, Bugs & Insects
• How To Get Rid Of Ants | Best Ant Killer (Chemical & Natural Options)

Do you have a mice problem or did you solve one? Tell us about your experience or drop any questions you may have for us in the comments below!
 

The post How To Get Rid Of Mice: Best Mouse Traps & Guide For Rodent Control appeared first on ISoldMyHouse.com.

Either way, not all companies make the return process easy, but fortunately, Lowe’s does. Here’s everything you should know about the nitty-gritty details of Lowe’s return policy, both online and in-store, and how it compares to other home improvement stores.

What is Lowe’s Return Policy?

Lowe’s does their best to make its return policy simple. As long as you’ve got a receipt in your hand, you can return most new, unused items within ninety days of the original purchase date.

If you made the purchase with a Lowe’s Commercial Account (LCA), Lowe’s Advantage Card (LAC), Lowe’s Business Advantage (LBA), or Lowe’s Business Rewards (LBR), you’ll actually get up to a year from the original purchase date to return the item.

The policy covers most items, but any returns that you make in the store are still subject to approval from managers, who may use their discretion about refunds or repairs.

Lost Receipts

Returning most items to Lowe’s with a receipt may be smooth sailing, but what if you don’t have one anymore?

Fortunately, you can still return items even if you no longer have the receipt. Most of the time, a staff member can look up details about the original purchase in the Lowe’s system by using the credit card number, phone number, checking account number, or a MyLowe’s card.

However, if you are making a return without a receipt, you’ll need to bring a valid form of picture ID with you. To prove you made the original purchase, Lowe’s will need to verify your identity.

Keep in mind that, like their standard return policy, any item is still subject to approval by a manager, and they can limit the number of items you’re able to return without a receipt.

Exceptions to the Lowe’s 90-Day Return Policy

Like any return policy, there are a couple of exceptions to what you can bring back. Some items are entirely non-refundable (or unable to be exchanged), including:

• Delivery or shipping charges
• Installation and labor charges
• Gift cards, including Lowe’s gift cards, Visa, or Mastercard gift cards
• In-store credits, merchandise cards, or refund cards
• Any mask or facial coverings purchased at Lowe’s

If you’re returning any items that contain flammable liquids, gases, or anything else that could be considered “hazardous materials”  – like lithium batteries  – you’ll need to make the return in person. Even if you bought the item online, Lowe’s wouldn’t accept hazardous materials through the mail, regardless of whether it’s been drained of the dangerous liquid or material.

30-Day Return Policy

While most of their items fall under that 90-day policy, some products need to be returned in “like-new” condition within thirty days of purchase  – or they’re no longer eligible for a refund or exchange, such as:

• Holiday items: With holiday items, Lowe’s requires that you return seasonal products, like Halloween decorations or Christmas ornaments, by the day of the holiday or before. For instance, if you buy a bunch of Halloween decorations, you’ll need to bring them back on the day of Halloween or before.
• TV and electronics: Electronics that have been damaged in any way, like TVs with cracks or dents, won’t be accepted.
• Major appliances: This includes freezers, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, cooktops, wall ovens, dryers, washers, hoods, and even washer pedestals.
• Liquid paint: To be eligible for a return, you shouldn’t use the liquid paint.
• Outdoor power equipment: This includes items like pressure washers and lawnmowers, but it does exclude Black + Decker and Craftsman cordless and corded power items (those fall under the 90-day policy).
• Plumbing: This category includes more oversized items like water heaters.
• Highway trailers: The trailer needs to be returned in-store with all the original paperwork, including the title, if there is one.

Returning Items Under Warranty

While most of Lowe’s merchandise falls under a 30-day or 90-day policy, what about products that you’ve purchased under warranty?

If it’s been more than 90 days since you’ve bought the item and it stops working, you should always check to see if there’s a warranty  – some items may include more extended warranties that cover manufacturer defects.

If there is a warranty, bring the product to a Lowe’s store, and you may be able to get it repaired at no additional cost (or schedule an at-home repair).

How to Process Lowe’s Online Returns

While returning items to the store may be the quickest way to get a refund or exchange, you can also process the return online using their website. This policy isn’t applicable for every item, but Lowe’s does offer prepaid returns for some merchandise.

Using Lowe’s Centralized Parcel Return Facility

Using Lowe’s online return system means going through their centralized parcel return facility. Here’s how to do this:

• Make sure you’ve secured the item in a sturdy envelope or box.
• If you’re returning multiple items, make sure you only ship the items that the return slip is for.
• Be sure to include all the original packaging and other accessories that came with the product, including instruction manuals.
• Fill out the return slip, and make sure you include it with the items you’re shipping back.
• Put the shipping label on the package and drop it off at your local post office or with your local carrier.

Home Depot vs. Lowe’s Return Policy

Like Lowe’s, Home Depot also has a standard 90-day return policy and is willing to accept returns with no receipt, as long as you’ve got an ID. Home Depot’s policy does ask that any items you return include all the original packaging, whether that’s an in-store or online return.

Lowe’s vs. Costco Return Policy

Compared to Lowe’s, Costco’s return policy is a lot more open-ended  – there’s no time limit, and as long as the item is “like-new” and undamaged, you can bring it back at any time, but managers will need to approve the return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have questions about Lowe’s return policy? Here’s what you should know.

What is Lowe’s return policy?

With some exceptions, Lowe’s requires you to return most items within 90 days, with some more oversized items within 30 days.

What is Lowe’s return policy without a receipt?

Lowe’s will look up the purchase in their system without a receipt, but you’ll need to show proof of your identity with a picture ID.

Can you return to Lowe’s after 90 days?

If you purchased with an LCA, LAC, LBA, LAB, or LBR, you might be able to return some items up to a year after purchase.

Does Lowes have a restocking fee?

Regular returns don’t have a restocking fee, but there’s a 20% restocking fee for special order configured items.

Will Lowes refund money if an item goes on sale?

Yes, if an item goes on sale within 90 days, Lowe’s will refund you the price difference.

Final Answer for Returns at Lowe’s

While there are plenty of exceptions to the rule, Lowe’s return policy is pretty standard for most home improvement stores  – although you may get a little extra wiggle room if you’re using a Lowe’s Advantage Card or a commercial account.

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