Maybe you have had a raccoon or rat problem in the past. Maybe you just got over one and are in the process of repairs and prevention. If you have just started to pest-proof your home, you have probably quickly come to the realization that it is expensive. Between buying materials and buying traps and other preventative measures, hiring professionals to either remove or prevent animals and many other expenses, you spend a lot of time and money keeping critters out. The good news is that there are ways to cut down on your expenses. Continue reading to figure out how you can keep critters out on the cheap.
Do It Yourself
While many people might not want to hear this, doing tasks yourself saves a ton of money in the long run. While most of us are not expert carpenters, roofers, or pest control specialists, we still have the capability to learn. YouTube and online tutorials are very prevalent in today’s world and they make it easier to learn how to do something step-by-step. You can find so much information online from making traps to DIY raccoon prevention tips. If it is not a job that needs to be done with absolute precision and experience, give it a try. You might learn something and find a new hobby. With that being said, if you don’t feel comfortable doing whatever you are doing, there is absolutely no shame in calling a professional.
Buy High-Quality Material
While this might seem counterintuitive, it is actually quite true. If you buy the cheapest material you can to complete a job, you will have to do that job more than once. It is a simple reality that cheap materials weather and wear out more quickly than those of higher-quality. Rats will chew through cheaper materials more quickly. So, save yourself some money by spending more up-front to prevent rats instead of replacing the material multiple times.
Seal and Fix Openings and Gaps
One of the cheapest ways to keep pests out of your attic and home is to simply cover openings and gaps in your home. If the gap is small enough, you can use sealant of some kind to simply patch over it. Sealant will become your best friend if you are trying to save money, as it can do a lot for a smaller upfront investment. If you have a larger gap, you will be able to use a small piece of sheet metal or treated plywood. Either way, it is a really cheap way to prevent high amounts of damage by critters.
Clean Up Your Yard
Pest-proofing your home doesn’t mean you should ignore your yard. In fact, your yard is sometimes one of the largest reasons you have a pest problem in your home anyways. This tip is completely free and it only requires sweat equity. Clean up any woodpiles, piles of debris, tall grass or weeds, and dispose of any fallen fruit from trees. These simple steps will keep mice, rats, raccoons, and a variety of other pests out of your yard, as it loses much appeal once these steps are taken. If pests have already made a presence in your yard and have begun to wreak havoc, this is a helpful source for what to do. However, if these animals keep on getting back to your backyard, cleaning your backyard isn’t enough and you must seek help from Animal Control Specialists as they have specific strategies designed to move them away, especially raccoons.
Steel Wool
Steel wool is incredibly cheap for the benefits it can provide. If you have any gaps or holes that only a rat or mouse could squeeze through, this is an excellent solution. Simply stuff the hole with steel wool, as mice and rats hate the feeling of it and it will keep them out. Look for any holes along your baseboard or near where your furnace, dryer, and other appliances come outside.
Conclusion
As can be seen, pest-proofing your home can be done more cheaply by following some of these tips. While you can make it cheaper, it will still take a good amount of money. This is money well spent, however, as the damage that can be caused by pests will cost you far more than these preventative measures ever would.
