Let’s be honest with ourselves for a moment. None of us like looking down and seeing ants in our bathroom or kitchen. We might not completely hate pests, but we don’t want them crawling around inside our homes.  In fact we might not even like the idea of spiders in the garage- even if they are just the small ones.  Although some pest problems require a professional, there are things you can do on your own to protect your home from bugs.

 

Keep Your Food Sealed

 

This may sound surprisingly obvious, but we see it over and over again. The most overlooked food item is actually dog food.  Yes our cute little puppies need their nutrition, but make sure their food is stored in an airtight container. Ants and other pantry pests come looking for something to eat and if you have yours all sealed up you won’t have to worry.  On a quick side note- make sure your outside trash is sealed as well.

 Seal Cracks and Holes in all Exterior Walls

 

This is not a fun job and can be somewhat time consuming. No one wants to spend a morning sealing cracks and crevices when they could be golfing or spending time with their family. The good news is, if you do a good job, you won’t have to worry about it for a long time. This will cut down on the number of pests that make their way into your home and will even help keep out unwanted mice.

 

Eliminate Standing Water

 

You have some standing water in your backyard. No big deal right? Wrong. Besides bugging you and your guests at the outdoor party, mosquitoes can also transmit deadly diseases. Some areas will require additional help, but getting rid of the standing water (mosquitoes need water to breed) around your property will make a difference. If you still have a lot of mosquitoes you may want to consult a professional.

 

Being proactive this spring will pay dividends later on. Pests aren’t the most interesting things to talk about and certainly shouldn’t have to be worrisome. Despite your best efforts to prevent pests from getting in or around your home, infestations can still occur. If this happens (or if you are just too busy to bother doing it yourself) professional pest control companies can help you with safe and effective ways of dealing with any pest issues.