You may have heard this term thrown around at some point or another, but what does it mean? Obviously it has something to do with making your home resistant to bugs and wildlife, but what is it exactly? Is it plastic skirting? Is it some form of chemical barrier? What is pest proofing? The answer is simpler than you might think. It is all of these and more.

Though there are some products that can be considered pest proofing, like some screen products, caulking equipment and gutter guards, they don't actually make your home pest-proof. If you're looking to proof your home from bugs and wildlife you'll need all these and a lot more. Here are some of the many ways you can pest proof your home.

1. Many pests get in through windows. It is important that you have no broken window panes, no rotted window frames, and working screens.

2. Basement cracks are a prime entry point, so seal small basement wall cracks with a two-part epoxy crack sealer. For larger cracks, seek the aid of a professional.

3. Your exterior walls can have entry points in a number of places. Use a caulking gun to fill in rotted areas and seal around fixtures, windows, outlets, pipes, utility wires and any other object that passes through your walls.

4. Make sure all your gutters work and are unobstructed. When water runs down your walls, it can rot the wood of your home and make it easier for pests to chew their way in. It also leaves puddles for pests to get a drink from and moist soil for subterranean termites to live in.

5. Open or unsecured trash can lure pests into your yard. Bugs feed and breed in trash, and wildlife will knock trash over to find something to munch on. Keep y our outside cans sealed and in a location where they cannot be knocked over.

6. Yard clutter attracts pests. They nest and lay eggs inside items that have been left on your lawn, which increases the population of pests in your yard and increases your chances of infestation. Keep your lawn free of clutter, trim weeds and grass routinely and keep lawn chairs and lawn items clean. The less your lawn feels like nature, the fewer pests will be tempted to wander onto it.

7. Many pests are attracted to light. If you have outside lighting, pests will be drawn in, increasing your chances that they will explore your walls and roofline. Replace white bulbs with yellow, insect-resistant bulbs, or simply leave those lights off.

Though these tips can help you make your home more resistant to bugs, the only way you'll truly pest-proof it is by getting on a year round pest plan, with a professional pest control company. If you're curious what it is like to live in a pest-proof home, get plugged in today.