Got pests in your mobile home? Help is here!

One of the most frustrating parts about being a homeowner (or renter) is having to deal with pests. However, when you own your own mobile/manufactured home, you are most likely going to have to deal with pests all by yourself, unless otherwise covered by your park. You can’t blame your landlord for any pest problem when you own your own place. Though being a homeowner has many more pros than cons, and if you know how to take care of your home properly, it will save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in the long run. Here are 10 ways in which you can make sure your mobile or manufactured home remains pest free! 

1. Keep a clean home – The most important rule to remember with pests is that prevention is better than cure. Once pests invade your home space, it doesn’t take long for them to multiply and create a real problem for you. Ants, spiders, and other animals are always looking for small entry points to enter your home, after all, it easily provides shelter and food to them. By removing crumbs, spills and trash regularly you can easily prevent a large variety of pests from finding food and shelter in your home. Also, avoid installing bird feeders around your home because any excess or spilled seeds can attract a number of unwanted insects!
2. Seal entry points – Remember that pests enter mobile homes through cracks, gaps and holes. By ensuring all entrance points are sealed you can discourage animals from entering your mobile home. To start with, an expanding foam seal is the way to go, however, if you’re not comfortable using sealant, you can always opt to use moth balls that let off a scent that is often displeasing to pests and keeps them away from your home. 
3. Use mesh screens on windows and vents – Mesh screens don’t have to be seasonal, or an exceptional luxury. Get cheap mesh screens to prevent flying pests like flies and mosquitoes from entering your home. Make sure you install these mesh screens tightly on your windows, and repair any damaged screens as soon as you can! Also, regularly clean out these screens so that you don’t too much wear and tear on them!
4. Use traps – Traps are quite common to have around a mobile/manufactured home, especially if you live in an area that is likely to have larger pests or vermin, running around unchecked. You can use anything from mouse traps to fly traps, ant eradicators to carnivorous plants to help you catch and remove pests. Make sure you choose the right trap for the right pest, and that you place them strategically, in a spot that the pests are most likely to be in. Do not use any traps or poisons if you have any family pets.
5. Use natural pest repellents – You can cultivate a number of plants like mint, lemongrass, and lavender that can help keep pests away. Another natural remedy to keep pests away is cayenne pepper. By spraying it around your home you create a line of defense, however, use caution with this method if you have children, as anything they touch that has pepper on it could transfer to their eyes or skin and cause irritation.
6. Inspect your outdoor areas – To prevent recurrent pests from switching over from outdoor to indoor, make sure you remove any and all piles of wood, leaves, and debris as they are bound to attract unwanted pests. Also make sure to check the skirting around your home. Properly installed skirting will keep pests out, though any opening in your skirting will provide a perfect home for snakes, spiders, rodents and other vermin. Inspect your skirting to make sure it is tightly secured and free of any cracks or holes.
7. Keep your kitchen clean and your food stored properly – Make sure that you store food in airtight containers and transfer food items such as cereal, flour, sugar, and pasta into airtight containers with a tight-fitting lid. Store food in the pantry or refrigerator whenever possible to reduce the risk of pests contaminating it.Always remember to clean up spills and crumbs immediately, wash dishes after every meal, and regularly clean the kitchen to minimize food attractants for pests.Additionally, make sure to store garbage in tightly sealed containers and dispose of it regularly to avoid attracting pests.
8. Use pesticides – if you have a severe pest problem, you may need to use pesticides. First of all do your research and choose pesticides that are safe and effective. Always make sure that you read the labels, ventilate the area you will be spraying down, and that you wear protective equipment and clothing when you use pesticides. If you have pets or infants, either search for pet-friendly/infant friendly options, or hire a professional to do it for you, in a way that will not harm your infants or your pets.
9. Call a professional – Sometimes, your pest problem might be too much for you to handle by yourself! If you have a persistent problem with pests, call a professional pest control company, so that you don’t have to worry about it anymore. Additionally, if you ever encounter a wild animal around your property, immediately call animal control resources in your area, or even your state wildlife department. While it might seem harmless to let a seemingly adorable wild animal be around your property they can tear apart your insulation, your undercarriage, your walls and interiors if they find a way in – causing thousands of dollars in damage.

10. Regular inspections – Finally, always keep in mind that as a homeowner, you need to make regular inspections of your entire home and property to make sure it’s maintained the right way. Regularly inspect your mobile home for signs of pests, and take steps to remove them promptly if you find any. Walk around the exterior of your home, check for damage, look in the hard to reach areas, and always be vigilant.

At the end of the day, protecting your mobile home from pests means protecting your family from disease and inconvenience, and your home from recurring damage. Spiders, insects, and rodents all spread disease, so if you find yourself in a situation where pests are causing you problems and you do not want to deal with them, remember to call a professional for help!