Finding bugs in your home is never a pleasant surprise. Getting rid of pests can take more effort than you might expect, so it's much easier to just prevent them from entering your home in the first place. Read on to learn how you can keep these uninvited guests out of your rental apartment.
Keep your home clean
The most important step in preventing pests is regular cleaning, especially vacuuming. Make sure to vacuum corners, under furniture, along skirting boards, and other places where dust tends to gather, as dust and crumbs create ideal conditions for many types of pests. Remember to empty the vacuum cleaner bag regularly to prevent it from becoming a nesting place for bugs.
Keep your bathroom as dry as possible to help keep away pests like silverfish, which are common in Finnish homes and thrive in drains. Use a squeegee to wipe down floors and walls after showering, and leave the door or window open for a while to let the moisture out quickly. It’s also important to clean the floor drain about once a month, as hair, dust, and other debris can quickly build up there, providing a food source for pests.
Take your rubbish to the waste collection point regularly. Dispose of the cardboard boxes from your online shopping orders straight away, as pests like silverfish can easily find their way into your home with them.
Avoid unwanted souvenirs from travels and second-hand shops
Bedbugs often find their way into homes after travels or through second-hand furniture and textiles. When travelling, be cautious from the start and inspect the bed at your accommodation carefully for signs of bedbugs as soon as you arrive. Store your suitcase on a luggage rack or table, never on the floor or especially under the bed. When you return home, shake out your luggage outdoors and then put all textiles straight into a 60°C wash. If the material cannot be washed, you can alternatively place it in the freezer for a week.
Always carefully inspect any second-hand clothes or items before buying them. It’s also a good idea to follow the same precautions with second-hand textiles as you would with your travel luggage. Avoid bringing home any items or furniture left at recycling points or near waste collection points.
Store food properly
Many kitchen pests, such as flour beetles, can enter your home with products you bring from the supermarket. That’s why it’s a good idea to check dry goods, like flour and oats, when you bring them home or when you open a package that has been sitting in the cupboard for a long time. If you notice any signs of pests, dispose of the product immediately. For extra precaution, you can freeze spice packets brought from abroad for about a week. Store dry goods in tightly sealed plastic or glass containers to prevent any potential pests from spreading.
Avoid leaving food scraps or dirty dishes on the kitchen counter, especially during the summer, as they can attract fruit flies looking for something to eat.
Take care of your textiles
Clothes moths and, especially in old buildings, carpet beetles feed on natural fibre textiles. They can spread and multiply among your clothes, damaging the fibres. You can avoid unpleasant holes in your favourite garments by keeping your woollen jumpers, silk shirts and other natural fibre textiles clean and tightly packed. Air and brush them regularly as well. If you store textiles in a storage room or attic over the summer, seal them in an airtight box or bag.
Keep the yard and common areas clean
Always take your rubbish directly to the waste collection point. Do not leave rubbish bags lying around in the stairwell, outside, or on the floor of the waste room, as they can attract rats and birds. Animals rummaging through rubbish can, at worst, spread diseases, and at the very least they create mess and reduce the comfort of your building and courtyard.
Avoid feeding birds in the courtyard as well. Seeds thrown on the ground or dropped from an open bird feeder can easily end up in the wrong mouths, becoming food for rats. If you wish to feed birds, use fat balls instead.
What if pests appear in my home anyway?
If pests appear in your home, it is important to identify the type of pest and assess how widespread the problem is. Fruit flies or the occasional silverfish can usually be dealt with on your own. However, in the case of bedbugs or cockroaches, it is very important to inform your landlord immediately rather than trying to handle the situation yourself. As a SATOhome resident, you can easily report this through OmaSATO.
The sooner pest control is started, the easier it usually is to get rid of the pests.
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