As the weather starts to heat up, so can bug, rodent and various other pest activity. Cockroaches, ants, termites, spiders, wasps and fleas are just a few of the insects that seem to multiply when it's hot outside. While they may not pose much of a threat outdoors, they can be bad news if they start making their way indoors.
Some pests, such as cockroaches, mice and rats, aren't just bothersome, they can be bad for you and your family's health as well. Their feces carry bacteria that they can deposit inside your home, and cockroaches can even induce allergies in some people. If you have pets, it's also important to keep your home flea-free, as the little bugs can quickly multiply and even cause your beloved cat or dog to become anemic if the infestation becomes severe enough.
In addition to using a wide variety of pest-control products, such as baits, glue traps, insecticides, pesticides, aerosols and even live animal traps, there are several ways that you can prevent the unwanted visitors from entering your house in the first place. With a little extra effort and planning, you can keep your home free of pests.
Here are some tips for keeping your home bug- and rodent-free this summer:
Some pests, such as cockroaches, mice and rats, aren't just bothersome, they can be bad for you and your family's health as well. Their feces carry bacteria that they can deposit inside your home, and cockroaches can even induce allergies in some people. If you have pets, it's also important to keep your home flea-free, as the little bugs can quickly multiply and even cause your beloved cat or dog to become anemic if the infestation becomes severe enough.
In addition to using a wide variety of pest-control products, such as baits, glue traps, insecticides, pesticides, aerosols and even live animal traps, there are several ways that you can prevent the unwanted visitors from entering your house in the first place. With a little extra effort and planning, you can keep your home free of pests.
Here are some tips for keeping your home bug- and rodent-free this summer:
Fill in Gaps
The No. 1 way to prevent pests from entering your home is by sealing up any gaps, holes, cracks and any other compromising places in your home's infrastructure. For instance, you can use caulk, which you can find at home repair retailers, to seal up gaps around windows, pipes, air conditioning units, floor and wall vents and even small wall cracks. Caulk comes in a variety of different colors so you can easily match it to your home's decor scheme.
Another way to keep pests out is by installing front, back and garage door threshold seals. Typically made of resilient PVC, these seals fill in the gaps between the end of the doors and the ground, preventing insects, rodents and even snakes from getting in. They are easy to apply with a strong adhesive. Be sure to replace old and worn-out weather stripping as well.
Inspect Your Home's Exterior
Another effective way of removing the pests is by inspecting your home's exterior for any problems. First, look at the foundation around your house to see if there are any cracks and fill them in with either caulk or concrete.
If you have a basement, make sure that the seals around the windows are all airtight and in good condition. Loose window seals are a common way that small pests, such as insects, enter homes. Also check all of your home's window screens to make sure they don't have any rips, tears or holes. If you see any imperfections, you can easily replace the screens.
Keep trash and recycling bins, as well as firewood piles, away from your home. The garbage in the bins can lure pests into your yard, while wood piles give them safe places to hide and even breed. If you have mulch, either keep it away from your house or consider replacing it with another material, such as gravel, which is less appealing to pests.
Maintain a Clean Kitchen
During warm summer months especially, it's important to keep your kitchen clean and free of crumbs, spills and other debris that can tempt cockroaches, ants and rodents. Don't store dirty dishes in the sink or dishwasher for long periods of time and keep foods such as cereal and pasta in tightly sealed plastic containers.
Sweep up any food crumbs on a regular basis and clean behind the stove and refrigerator during spring cleaning.
Call in the Professionals
If you're tried all of these tips and tricks and still have a pest problem, it's time to call in the professionals. We have many products on-hand to eliminate rodents and insects and eradicate an ongoing problem. It may also help to have a pest control company treat your home on a regular basis.