Get matched with top pest control specialists in Mount Sterling, IL

If there is food sources and other places to build a nest, wasps may come back after their nest is gone. However, if you take measures to repel wasps, like planting pest-repellent plants or sealing cracks and gaps around the outside of your home, they aren’t likely to return. Be diligent at checking for new nests each spring to get rid of them as soon as possible and prevent bigger swarms of wasps in your yard.

Regular cleaning, sealing cracks, and inspecting second-hand furniture help prevent infestations.

Rats are attracted to homes that provide food, water, and shelter. Common attractants include uncovered garbage, pet food left out overnight, crumbs and food spills, and easily accessible pantries. They’re also lured in by leaky pipes, standing water, and cluttered areas like basements or garages. Outdoor factors such as overgrown vegetation or woodpiles near the foundation can create additional nesting opportunities.

When it comes to keeping birds from doing their business on your porch rails, you have several DIY options and home remedies you can try: 

• Tie a fishing line from one end of the deck post to the other. Birds won’t be able to see the line across the railing, so they can’t land on it.  

• Hang wind chimes close by, which may scare birds away. 

• Apply a bird gel repellent to the railings, which contains smells that birds generally don’t like. Or, similarly, you can apply citronella or lemon oil around the railings, since birds don’t like strong smells.