Where are the areas in your home that collect the most clutter? Basements, garages, and attics not only become a dumping ground for stuff, but these area can also become a breeding ground for pests. Discover how decluttering these spaces can be a form of pest control.

Pest Hot Spots in Your Home

When you think about the ideal spot for relaxation, what comes to mind? How about a cool, quiet area with refreshments in reach? Pests look for the same thing too. That’s why you’ll often find them in dark corners of your basement, garage, and attic where they won’t be disturbed. The more these areas are cluttered with storage boxes, the more places they have to hide. And if there happens to be excess moisture or an undiscovered leak, it’s more of a draw to those looking for water. Throw in some food crumbs and you create a highly coveted destination for pests like mice, ants, cockroaches, and spiders. So, how do you evict these unwelcome guests and close up shop? Start by decluttering.

Decluttering for Pest Control

A cluttered space not only creates an unorganized eyesore, but it gives pests a place to hide, especially if it’s in a forgotten area like an attic or basement. The first step in clearing out the pests is cleaning up the clutter. It’s easier to fully assess an open space then reorganize to make it more desirable for you and less for pests.

1. Begin by removing everything from your basement, attic, or garage.
2. Sort items into three categories: keep, donate/sell, and trash.
3. Deep clean the space. Pay special attention to corners and crevices.
4. Check for cracks in walls, windows, and doors and seal any openings with caulk. Fix any leaky pipes.
5. Organize with shelves, cabinets, and labeled storage bins. Clear plastic is more pest-resistant than cardboard boxes.
6. Control humidity with a dehumidifier.

Now that the space is decluttered, clean, and organized, pests are less likely to want to gather there. Help keep it that way with regular checks, routine cleaning, and seasonal decluttering.

Need Help with Decluttering? Call JDog

If you find your pest problem is out of control, you’ll want to contact a professional exterminator. But if your clutter is more than you can handle, JDog Junk Removal & Hauling can help. Contact our team to haul away any large, unwanted items that have been sitting in your garage, attic, or basement collecting dust and becoming a spider playground. Once we haul away what you don’t want, we’ll reuse, recycle, resell, and re-purpose your items whenever possible. So now you don’t have to worry about these items cluttering up your home or a landfill. Then you can really relax in your space that’s free of clutter and pests.