Spring is the Time for Pest Prevention

The birds are chirping, the bees are buzzing and the pests are marching toward your home. Spring is an active time for families and pests alike. Families go to ball games, have picnics and enjoy time outdoors. On the other side of the coin, pests want to be indoors, which is why you have to take some time out of your busy schedule to protect your home from pests. By following a few pest-proofing tips, you can keep the pest issues to a minimum this year.

Do an Inspection

Spend a day this weekend inspecting your home. Look for holes in screens, gaps in doors and leaks. Also, check for clutter, as pests love clutter. Make a list of all of the problem areas so you can fix them. Remember, you need to be thorough. Pests will find the smallest area of clutter or the tinniest leak and use it to their advantage.

After you do an inspection, you will be ready to get down to business.

Pest Proofing Your Home

You don’t have to be a contractor to pest proof your home. Roll up your sleeves and get to work. Replace screens that have rips or tears in them, and seal any gaps between the doors and doorframes. Repair any leaky faucets, wipe up standing water, and go over cracks and crevices with a caulk gun.

After you do your repairs, you need to start cleaning. Since pests love clutter, you need to make your home neat and orderly. Remove any boxes and old papers. Clean out any junk around the home.

Lastly, go into the kitchen and transfer any open food into sealed plastic containers. If you have food such as cereal, sugar and flour, place it in a sealed container so pests cannot get in and have a meal.

Extra Tips for Pest Proofing Your Home

• Don’t forget about storage areas. Attics are a breeding ground for pests. Spend some time in the attic and clean it out.
• Clean up the outside as well. A cluttered yard can attract pests, so extend your spring-cleaning to the outdoors. Clean up the yard so you can have a pest free season.
• When you are in the yard, take some time to clean out the gutters. If your gutters are clogged, they will drain in a pool in your yard. That will create standing water, which is very attractive to pests.
• Use a mask and gloves in areas that have been closed up for an extended period of time. Rodents spread airborne diseases through their waste products. Avoid getting sick by taking the proper precautions.
• Be careful if you use any pesticides on your own. Pesticides must be administered properly, or they will pose a threat to people and animals. Remember, you can contact Connors to come to the rescue if you have a pest problem. If you notice signs of a pest infestation, contact us. We will do an inspection and eliminate the problem. When you pest proof your home and have Connors at your side, you can have a pest free spring.