Spring is finally here! Temperatures are warming up, the days are getting longer, and many homeowners use this time to do spring cleaning. This is also a great time to take some extra time to help prevent pests this season! We will walk you through different areas of your home and provide location-specific tips in order to reduce the number of pests you see this season. While these tips are helpful, they are even more effective in combination with our residential pest control service, which creates a pest-proof barrier that strengthens over time as we reapply it quarterly.
Outside and Around the Yard
After winter’s snow has melted, it’s time to take stock of the outside of your home and yard. Spring cleaning isn’t just for the inside of your home, after all! Visually inspect your home from roof to foundation, as storms can cause damage to your home that creates entry points for pests. Check for loose mortar, damaged weather stripping, and make sure your screens are tightly fitted with no holes. Clean out clogged gutters and downspouts as these can create standing water, attracting rodents and insects to drink and mosquitoes to breed. Near the foundation, make sure the ground is neat and tidy–not only does this reduce areas for insects to shelter, but it also gives a good space to lay down our pest control barrier.
In the Kitchen
With their readily available sources of food and water, kitchens are a common trouble area for pest activity. Check inside your cupboards to make sure there is no loose or spilled food, and make sure everything is stored in airtight containers. Keep counters and floors clean, and if a mess or spill occurs, clean it up as quickly as possible so as not to attract pests. Clean your drains, as buildup inside can attract flies and other insects. A trash can with a lid is best as it prevents anything from getting into the garbage, and make sure trash is taken out frequently. This helps your kitchen from smelling bad to you and inviting to pests!
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
Our bedrooms are our safe- havens, and we want to help you keep them as pest-free as possible! Keeping them clean is the best way to prevent pests–plus a clean room improves your mood, which is a nice bonus. Try not to let dirty clothes pile up, and put them away right after washing and drying. For items that hang in the closet, sealing them can help prevent moths.
In the bathroom, it’s all about moisture control. Use the fan every time you take a shower, and if you have persistent problems with moisture consider purchasing a small dehumidifier. Also, make sure pipes are properly sealed to prevent thirsty pests from investigating. Check under your bathroom sink to make sure pipes are not leaking–not only will this attract pests, but fixing a leaky faucet will also save money on your water bill!
Living Room
Most families spend a lot of time in the living room, so if this room is not kept tidy it can attract pests. If you have hard flooring, make sure it is swept and mopped frequently to pick up food crumbs and debris. For carpets, vacuum regularly and make sure to take the contents of the bag directly into the outside trash. If you have pets, make sure the areas where they like to rest are kept clean and your pets themselves are well-groomed and brought to the vet for regular check-ups to reduce the chance of bringing fleas and ticks into the home.
Garage
During the winter, garages can become a catchall for items that can’t stay outside during the winter. Unfortunately, they can also be excellent places for pests to shelter from the colder temperatures! Knock out both of these at the same time by deep-cleaning your garage. Take items off of shelves and sweep under and around them to remove debris and possible insect eggs. Are you using cardboard containers? Switch to airtight plastic bins so nothing can chew its way in or out! This is another area where you should also check the weatherstripping on the bottom of your garage door, because if there is not a tight seal pests can make their way in easily. And as a bonus, you now have a beautifully clean garage!
Basement
Like the garage, the basement is a part of the home that is usually less frequently used, and not necessarily as well maintained. Dark corners and clutter offer mice and spiders perfect places to hide and reproduce, but there are several things you can do to minimize this. Start by going through your belongings to eliminate clutter–yard sale, anyone? If you are using cardboard boxes for storage, switch to plastic containers with lids. Not only can nothing chew through or crawl in or out, you will also help prevent mold and mildew damage that can frequently occur in basements. If you see any small holes or gaps, seal those as well since basements are a common entry point for pests. It can be a lot of work, but it’s worth it for a cleaner basement with fewer pests!
Prevent Pests This Spring with ProActive Pest Management
While all of these are great tips to help reduce the amount of pests you see this spring, they work best in tandem with professional pest control services. At ProActive Pest Management, we create, reinforce, and strengthen a pest-proof barrier to keep unwanted guests out of your home. And if anything does make it through, you are always protected with our ProActive Protection Guarantee–simply give us a call and we’ll send a technician out to re-treat for no charge.