Homeowners are likely to start finding unwanted pests in and around their homes as we transition from the colder wet winter months to warmer spring months. Following are some simple steps homeowners can take to reduce their risk of pest control problems:
Pest Control Tips In the Kitchen
Pest Control Tips Throughout the House
Pest Control Tips Outside the Home
By following these simple steps you will greatly reduce your chances of having a pest control problem in the spring and summer months.
Pest Control Tips In the Kitchen
- Store food in airtight containers. Open packages of pasta, rice, and baking goods (i.e. flour, oatmeal, cornmeal) should be placed in the freezer and frozen for 72 hours, then placed in airtight containers, or thrown away to reduce the chance of insects infesting the pantry.
- Always wipe down sticky containers. Bottles of sticky substances such as syrup and other sauces or condiments should be wiped down with warm soapy water to reduce the chance of ant infestation.
- Throw away spoiled food right away. Items such as old potatoes, onions, and other vegetables should be checked for spoilage to avoid fruit fly infestation or attack from ants, crickets, earwigs, etc.
- Freeze candy and chocolate. Put leftover holiday candy and other treats in the freezer to avoid attracting insects into your pantry.
Pest Control Tips Throughout the House
- Clean your doors and windows. Thoroughly vacuum and clean window and sliding door tracks to help prevent outside invaders such as carpet beetles, earwigs, silverfish and spiders.
- Don't let the bed bugs bite! After house guests leave, carefully inspect closets, drawers, and beds/sofas for bed bugs that may have inadvertently been brought in. Also, after you travel, carefully clean or vacuum all luggage inside and out, and then store it in tightly sealed plastic garbage bags.
- Store away wool and fur-trimmed clothing. During warm weather months, wash and store away wool and fur-trimmed or –lined clothing in sealed containers or plastic bags to reduce the chance of moth or carpet beetle activity.
- Time to organize the garage. Clean up and organize cluttered items along the perimeter walls of the garage, where rodents hide out. Now is an opportune time to install shelving or storage cabinets and get all your stuff off the garage floor.
Pest Control Tips Outside the Home
- Repair weather damage. Check all window screens and sub area vents for damage during recent storms in order to help reduce possible insect entry points. Also, check the roof for missing or damaged shingles or tiles that may allow pests access or water damage that would contribute to pest infestation.
- Get to the gutters. Clean out all rain gutters and down spouts that may have collected leaves, twigs, and other debris that can provide harborage for rodents and insects.
- Drain all standing water. Search your yard for areas or items that may have collected rainwater – these should be drained to avoid attracting mosquitoes and other rodents.
- Remove unwanted weeds. Weed growth, as well as downed leaves, twigs, branches, and other debris can provide a food source or harborage for a wide array of unwanted pests, and should be regularly cleaned up.
- Trim the trees. Trees provide insects and rodents access to your house, so limbs should be pruned back at least four feet from the roofline. Shrubs should also be regularly trimmed so they do not come into contact with the structure of the home.
- Move firewood outside. All unburned firewood should be taken outside so that insects residing beneath the bark do not infest the home. Firewood should be neatly stacked at least 18" off of the ground to help prevent rodent harborage and to help deter termite activity.
By following these simple steps you will greatly reduce your chances of having a pest control problem in the spring and summer months.