Keeping pests away from your home and yard is a year-round endeavor, but springtime truly is “go time” for preventing bug and rodent invasions. This is when overwintering pests emerge from hibernation and eggs laid in the fall hatch… creating hordes of hungry pests that are ready to invade your property for sustenance, mates, and a comfy place to live.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make your home less attractive to pests – inside and out – and to increase the effectiveness of professional pest control treatments.
Spring Clean Your Home
A thorough spring cleaning is a great way to shake off the winter doldrums and to prepare your home for Easter or Passover guests. It’s also an opportunity to check your home for pests that may have taken up residence over the winter and to make sure you’re not attracting new ones into your home as spring temperatures rise. Take the time to:
- Look for the presence or evidence of an active pest infestation.
- Clear kitchen cabinets and wipe shelves to remove any spills or loose food.
- Examine pet food storage and pet feeding areas for spills.
- Clean under sinks and around bathroom pipes – addressing any leaks that can attract pests to a water source.
- Check closets for moths that may have taken up residence over the winter.
Examine and Repair Your House
Winter is hard on your home. Cold, wet weather can damage the exterior (attracting termites and other chewing insect) and create new pest entry points around pipes, cables, and woodwork. When the weather starts to warm up, it’s time to do a thorough examination of your home and make necessary repairs to keep pests away. To secure your home:
- Repair or replace damaged siding, boards, trim, shingles, and other materials.
- Seal entry points around pipes and cables that enter your home.
- Check your foundation for cracks that can allow pests or pest-attracting water to enter.
- Replace or repair windows, doors, and other protective screens.
- Clean leaves and debris from gutters. Consider adding gutter screens to prevent accumulation of materials where insects may nest or find water sources.
- Remove empty insect hives or rodent nests. If you discover an active hive or nest, it’s best to hire a professional exterminator to remove it.
Spring Clean Your Yard
Tidying up your yard in the spring isn’t just good for curb appeal and clutter-free backyard recreation – it’s also important for pest control. Ensuring your property is free of debris, overhanging branches, and standing water helps reduce pest habitats and can reduce or prevent future infestations. When making your to-do list:
- Clear yard debris where pests can take shelter, build nests, and breed.
- Trim trees and shrubs that are close to your home, shed, and other structures. These can serve as an expressway for insects and rodents to gain access to the interior of your home through cracks, chimneys, and other points of entry.
- Check for and address pooling water to prevent it from becoming a mosquito hatchery or source of drinking water for other pests.
- Examine wood piles for signs of infestation. Discard any rotting wood and consider moving the pile if it’s close to your house or another structure on your property.
Book Springtime Pest Control Treatments with Twin Forks®
Early spring is the perfect time to be proactive with preventative pest control. Twin Forks Pest Control® is your Long Island pest management expert, offering both removal services and regular pest inspections. Call us today for a free estimate.
