Pests can be as small as a tiny ant, or as large as a raccoon. These pests and several more may be attracted to your house if you aren't careful about cleaning up your home and your yard. Cleaning and organizing your home both inside and out is key to keeping pests at bay. See below for some tips to prevent them from coming into your home:

Keep Your Home Clean

Pests don't usually care if your home is clean or messy, but if you keep crumbs off of your counters and floor you won't be giving these pests a free meal or making it easy for them to find food. Wipe down your counters in your kitchen, your stove top and inside your microwave. Wipe down any area where you prep food, and wipe your kitchen table after eating. Use a broom to sweep up floors often to remove crumbs and other food particles from your floors, or use a vacuum. Also be sure to vacuum rugs in your kitchen.

If you allow anyone to eat anywhere other than the kitchen, be sure to vacuum these areas and clean up any mess leftover from eating. Never allow anyone in your home to hide or stash food around your home other than in your kitchen or pantry to prevent attracting pests such as ants, roaches or mice.

Repair Leaks

If you have a leaky sink or drain, be sure to make the necessary repairs to prevent attracting pests. Some pests may come inside to look for water, and if they find your water leak they may just stick around for awhile and invite their friends and family. Pests such as ants, roaches, silverfish, even mice may come inside looking for a water source, so make the necessary repairs and wipe up any water below a sink immediately.

Clean Up The Exterior Of Your Home

To help keep pests at bay outside your home, clean up the exterior of your home. Remove brush piles from your yard which can house mice, raccoons, and even opossums, in addition to insects. Remove mulch from around the perimeter of your house, which will attract ants. Keep landscaping such as flowers and plants at least two feet away from the perimeter of your home. Cut back tree limbs that are hanging too low over your house. Also be sure to keep garbage in bags and in a sealed can to keep raccoons and opossums out of the trash.

Keep your home clean both inside and out to keep pests at bay. If you have a problem with insects or other pests such as raccoons, mice or opossums, call a pest control specialist for help. Contact a company like Fowler Pest Control for more information and assistance.