For most of us vacuum cleaners serve their purpose and that’s enough for us. However there is one area that vacuum cleaners can really serve a true purpose at a fraction of the cost, but we wouldn’t think to ask. You don’t even need the best vacuum cleaners to get this job done; pest control can be sorted out at a fraction of the cost using your trusty vacuum cleaner, and we’re going to show you how.
Pick Your Weapon
This first step is to decide what kind of vacuum cleaner you’re going to use. A vacuum with a hose is perfect for reaching the roof as well as irregular surfaces. A rotating brush is most effective at removing bugs and the scraps on which they feed, while a HEPA filter greatly reduces airborne particles which are harmful to those with allergies. Be warned if you’re attempting pest control however. Bagless vacuum cleaners can clog up filters quite rapidly if you’re going after irregular items while disposable bags are cheap and might not put as much strain on the filter.
Destroy the Supply
The obvious step of regularly vacuuming is enough to make bugs unwelcome because if there’s nothing to eat they won’t multiply and their occasional visits won’t make for a readily friendly environment for breeding. Vacuum cleaner attachments can help get behind the stove and refrigerator which would usually be dangerous to move because of the supply line. Use a simple nozzle without moving electrical parts and a brush nozzle isn’t hard enough to scratch anything important. Now that the kitchen is out the way, let’s talk about spiders!
Combat Arachnophobia
Upright vacuum cleaners can help prevent a horde of spiders before they begin. Getting rid of the web with the vacuum cleaner gets rid of the home and nursery of the spider. Amazingly, a single egg can hatch up to 300 little spiders so it’s really a good idea not to even give them a chance. You can reach the high places with a hose extension which also helps fit into irregular areas.
The Pests
When fighting cockroaches, one must simply insist upon a HEPA filter. Airborne particles include insect waste, an exoskeleton and various body parts which will harm and cause respiratory ailments. Cockroaches tend to lay 30 eggs in what is known as an ootheca. These are high priority targets for handheld vacuum cleaners and they often hide out in cupboards and tight areas. Even though the vacuum has done the trick, be sure to clean the areas you vacuumed with strong soap to completely destroy any and all bacterial residue.
Another pest to get rid of is the dust mites which hide in your bed. Bag vacuum cleaners are incredibly effective against these little guys, and it’s a simple case of vacuuming your bed.
The benefits of combating pests in the home with vacuum cleaners cannot be overstated. While most of us believe they are merely used to remove dust and dirt, vacuum cleaners are perhaps the most powerful tool you can use to combat tiny pests.
About the author: Eugene Calvini is a writer who enjoys a clean home. Whether it’s a steam mop or cyclonic vacuum cleaner you can be sure he is enthusiastic about the latest home cleaning technology.
Credits: Photo courtesy of Muris Kula.