CHECKLIST

Beastie boys

Getting rid of pests in the home is no easy feat when it is hard to determine where they are coming in from.

Mice and spiders are common pests that dwell in Guam homes, especially in residences near jungles. Mice can carry diseases and eat through unprotected foods, plants, wiring and even trash from the garbage.

While Guam spiders are mostly non-lethal, they become troublesome if they reproduce inside a home. The average spider sac can spawn anywhere between 300 and 1,000 spiders — enough to create a sizable population in the house.

“(Mice) like to live in a wide variety of hidden areas that are near food sources,” according to the team at No Ka Oi Guam.

They also like dark and cool spaces. These include under refrigerators or in pantries. If there are noticeable signs of mice and rats in a home, these would be the first places to set traps. Sticky traps and clamp traps are commonly available in stores, but more humane ways of catching mice require a bit of creativity and patience. Capturing a mouse with a box trap and some bait, for example, can help address the rodent problem while also not bringing any harm to the mouse.

Residents should also be cautious of openings where mice can enter the home.

“Mice can fit through a crack or hole that is a fourth of an inch or larger — about the width of a pencil,” according to No Ka Oi.

If it gets too difficult to determine where these openings are, exterminators can be called in to find them and cover them. The spaces under doors and even open windows can be a good entryway for rodents to come in.

Spiders are not as easy to track, but there are several types of products available at stores that can help curb and prevent population growth. Most insect sprays can combat spiders. For an at-home remedy, residents can mix white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Peppermint oil and lemon juice are other alternative solutions.

The Home Depot recommends these tips to help prevent spider invasions: • Keep your home nice and tidy, especially in hard-to-reach places. This prevents spiders from nesting. • Clear away excess vegetation and shrubs in your outdoor walking areas so spiders cannot hide in them. • Install mesh screens on windows for an added preventative measure against insects. p