Controlling pests is like getting rid of an unwanted houseguest – it can be very hard! That said, a little bit of knowledge goes a long way. Reading this article in full can be your first step towards ridding yourself of these pesky problems and returning to a normal life.

Check to see if you have any centipedes around the house. Centipedes usually will prey on other bugs, so if you have a lot of them, you may be infested. In this case, the best thing that you can do is to hire a professional to help get rid of the issue in your home.

Ask your exterminator what the risks of using their pesticides are. Everything comes with some level of risk, and some chemicals can be very dangerous for children or pets. If your exterminator is unsure you should find out before you let them proceed. It is definitely better to be safe than sorry.

If you are dealing with a stink bug invasion, try to minimize your use of outdoor lights. These pests are drawn to the brightness, so they will move closer to your house when the lights are on, giving them more opportunities to find their way in. Furthermore, draw your blinds in the evening so the light from inside your home does not attract them.

Do not leave any food out or unsealed and make sure that you clean up any crumbs or food scraps. Bugs, especially roaches love to get into food scraps that have been left out. Put used food in a tightly sealed container or in a baggie that bugs cannot break into.

Stink bugs are persistent pests, so focus on your outdoor area to help eradicate the problem. Keep your bushes trimmed and make sure that firewood is stored well away from your home. Thirty feet from the dwelling is appropriate, if you have the space. In addition, the firewood needs to be kept just off the ground (about six inches).

Make sure that every single night, you do the dishes in a dishwater or at least wash the food off of the dishes in the sink. The last thing that you will want to do is leave food in the sink, which can be a breeding ground for insects to come in your home.

If you have problems with moles in your yard, set up a trap. You will know a mole is present by the raised portion of your yard that’s been tunneled under. Use a shovel to collapse a section of the tunnel (approx. 4″). Set up a mole trap over the collapsed portion and wait for the mole to tunnel through and try to fix the collapse.

When you want to have a pest-free lifestyle, these tips and tricks should get you on your way. It’s important to use them as instructed to ensure the best results. Once you’ve started using your new-found knowledge, you should find the pests disappearing right before your eyes, so to speak.