Preventive Pest Control for Homes by Apex Pest Control

Preventive Pest Control Tips

Keeping your home pest-free starts with a simple fact: prevention is the best medicine. In Sacramento, the warm weather and changing seasons invite all kinds of bugs and critters to come inside. Once they enter, they can be tricky to remove. But when you take action before they arrive, your living space remains a clean, safe haven.

Instead of waiting for ants to raid your pet’s food dish or cockroaches to show up uninvited, follow pest control prevention tips to make your home less attractive to these invaders. It all comes down to good habits, proper home care, and regular pest control preventive treatment from an exterminator.

Types of Common Pests in Sacramento

Sacramento’s climate attracts all kinds of pests. Knowing what you’re dealing with makes pest prevention and control much easier:

Ants: Several species live in Sacramento. Carpenter ants dig through wood, which can cause structural damage. Argentine ants are tiny, relentless invaders that swarm your kitchen in search of sugar and water.
Spiders: Black widows are easy to spot thanks to their glossy black bodies and red hourglass markings. Though not aggressive, their bites are venomous and worth avoiding.
Cockroaches: These pests are common in Sacramento. The three most common varieties are German cockroaches, Oriental cockroaches, and American cockroaches. While each type looks a little different, they are equally unappealing.
Fleas and ticks: Pet owners are familiar with these pests. Fleas bite humans and animals, while ticks latch on and can transmit disease.
Wasps and yellow jackets: These aggressive fliers are quick to sting. They build nests in walls, attics, and underground.
Earwigs: The pincers and creepy appearance make earwigs seem threatening, but they’re mostly harmless. They sneak inside during dry spells in search of moisture.
Millipedes: Harmless but annoying, millipedes roll up when disturbed. They’re usually found in damp areas and often wander indoors after rain.
Silverfish: These small, silvery insects love dark, damp places like basements and bathrooms. They feed on paper, glue, and fabric, making books and clothing common targets.
Boxelder bugs: Recognizable by their black bodies and red markings, these bugs often show up in the fall, trying to escape the cold. While they don’t bite or sting, they can stain walls and fabrics.
Pantry pests: Moths, beetles, and weevils are attracted to dry goods like flour, cereal, and pasta, earning them the nickname “pantry pests.” Unfortunately, they contaminate food with larvae and droppings, forcing you to toss the affected items.

Best Pest Control Methods

Pest control and prevention go together. Here’s how to make your home a less friendly environment for pests to live in:

Seal entry points: Pests don’t need a wide-open door—just a tiny crack will do. Inspect areas around windows, doors, vents, pipes, and your foundation. Then, use caulk, weatherstripping, and door sweeps to close those gaps.
Maintain cleanliness: Food crumbs, spills, and overflowing trash cans are buffets for ants, cockroaches, and rodents. Wipe down countertops, sweep the floors, empty the trash promptly, and store food in airtight containers. Don’t forget to clean hidden spots in corners and behind appliances.
Control water sources: Roaches, millipedes, and other moisture-loving pests flock to damp basements, bathrooms, and kitchens. Fix leaky faucets and pipes, squeegee the shower after use, wipe out the sink before bed, and tuck your pet’s water dish away at night.
Landscape properly: Overgrown plants and piles of leaves can harbor pests right next to your home. Trim shrubs and tree branches away from the siding and roof. Rake up yard debris, keep mulch from piling against the foundation, and store firewood off the ground and away from the house.
Repel pests naturally: Essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender make excellent ant, spider, and mouse deterrents. Dilute a few drops with water and spray baseboards, windowsills, and corners. These natural repellents are a great daily defense that’s safe for kids and pets.
Keep gutters clean: Clogged gutters trap organic matter and promote standing water, creating a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects. Clean them regularly to keep water moving and eliminate one more pest-friendly hideout.
Inspect regularly: Conduct a monthly walkthrough yourself or schedule regular visits from a professional exterminator to catch problems early. Look for droppings, bite marks, nests, or insect activity around entry points. Bi-monthly or monthly maintenance visits help prevent minor issues from growing into full-blown infestations.

Why Choose Apex Pest Control?

Over the past 40 years, Apex Pest Control has built a reputation for delivering fast, reliable service and long-term solutions for Sacramento homeowners. Our family-run business treats every home with care and respect. We also offer discounts for new homeowners and seniors. Everything we do is backed by the Apex Pest Control Guarantee—if pests return between your regular bi-monthly visits, we’ll eliminate them at no extra charge. Contact us today for preventative pest control proven to keep your home pest-free.