Spring Tips for Homeowners to Minimize Pests

waspWith spring comes warmer temperatures and the increased risk of pests around the home. A pest problem can quickly become an infestation without quick action, so do what you can now to prevent pests later on.

Ants

To keep ants out of your home, remove food sources like crumbs or open packages of food. Toss out any opened boxes, wrappers, or containers of food, and set ant traps in cupboards and cabinets. Spritz doorways with a mixture of white vinegar and water to deter ants.

Roaches

Nobody wants roaches moving in, and a clean house is your best preventative against these pests. Also, keep your home cool and dry, as roaches thrive in warm, moist environments.

Mice

Fill in cracks, gaps, and openings where mice could be entering the home. Pick up food and keep it tightly packaged in airtight containers; this includes pet foods. Don’t leave pet bowls out overnight because this could be the food source keeping mice in your dwelling.

Flies

If you don’t do something this spring to prevent flies, they can reproduce quickly — especially in hot weather. Keep the bathroom pristine and keep fresh fruit off the counter. If you have a bar, wipe down the bottles and caps well and consider keeping them in the fridge to deter fly activity.

Spiders

The best way to prevent spiders is to regularly vacuum any corners and crevices that they could be lurking in. Spiders eat insects, so keeping bugs down in the home can reduce the number of spiders that take up residence. Keep an eye out for potentially dangerous species that are known to reside in the south, such as brown recluse or black widow, and contact pest professionals for assistance in these situations.

Fleas

Fleas usually hang out where pets live, but they can make the humans’ lives miserable too. Fleas despise strong smells, so use essential oils in diffusers throughout the house. Also, salting and vacuuming all the surfaces in the home, including furniture, can be an effective way to get rid of these pests.

Wasps

It is best to not mess with wasp or hornet nests; you could have an allergy and not realize it until you have been stung. Use peppermint oil liberally around the home to prevent these flying and stinging insects from entering and attacking you. Also, use common sense and contact pest management experts to take care of hornet, wasps, and yellow jacket nests to stay safe.

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter or boring bees are large, intimidating pests that will wreak havoc on the wood structure of your home. To prevent these pests, stuff any holes with steel wool and paint or stain your home’s wood exterior to make it less appealing to these bees.

Termites

To prevent termites, make sure to check your gutter’s downspout to ensure water is being directed away from the home and foundation. Furthermore, leave an 18-inch buffer between the ground and any wood on the exterior of your home and store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home to deter termites. These pests like moisture, so dehumidify your home, if possible, to keep them away.

Garden Pests

Is it time to plant the garden but bugs have got you down? Prevent and reduce garden pests this spring by setting up a beer trap. Use shallow pie pans or dishes and bury them up to the lip in your garden or yard; next, add about an inch of beer to the pan and leave it for a few days. Slugs, earwigs, and other garden pests will be attracted to the beer and will fall in and drown.

Even with prompt prevention, pest issues can still arise. Contact pest management professionals to deal with issues inherent to the southern United States. Remember that prevention, quick action, and professional assistance can take care of issues and infestations.

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