The weather is changing and Spring is in the air. This is the time for a fresh, clean start. It’s that time of the year when flowers bloom and the temperature goes easy on everyone. Unfortunately, the mild temperature goes easy on bugs too and you might just find swarms of them inside your home. When spring arrives, and the weather conditions improve, many homeowners look out for Pest Control Services. Bugs, insects, and pests of all kinds are drawn to food sources. And if your home isn’t kept clean, the pests will come. Bugs commonly found inside homes include ants, cockroaches, earwigs, firebrats, flies, house centipedes, silverfish, and spiders. Pet owners sometimes have to deal with fleas and ticks in the house. Each of these pests can show up at different times of the year, and some are more problematic in certain parts of the country than others. Some steps to keep the bugs away from your home. Below are four areas that you should not skip when clearing out your home.
1. Kitchen
The number one pest we deal with in our area is ants and the kitchen is probably their favorite spot in your home. And between those crumbs on that kitchen table, that leftover food on the rubbish bin, overripe fruits on the countertop, liquid spills on the floor, and baking ingredients on the cabinets—those critters will have a feast. They often march one-by-one through the heart of the home while searching for crumbs left behind from dinner, sticky residue from liquid spills, and overripe fruit sitting out on the countertop. While every day you may be wiping the counters and sweeping the floor – it is important to clean out some other areas too. Sweep behind your appliances.
Scrub all of the surfaces in your kitchen thoroughly with a disinfectant. Make sure all of your food items are properly sealed and vacuum up any crumbs you find. Remove everything and throw away old and outdated spices and dry goods. Before putting items back, wipe down the shelves with warm water and a bit of detergent. When vacuuming the kitchen floor, move appliances away from to wall to clean those hard-to-reach spaces as well. This will go a long way to keeping out ants as well as other pantry pests, moths, and beetles.
2. Bathroom
Bugs like silverfish, mold mites, drain flies, and cockroaches are attracted to water sources. Cockroaches, for instance, can live without food for weeks but can’t live without water for more than two days. Eliminating sources of water in the bathroom is the best way to prevent pest infestations, especially because this pest can only survive for one week without water. When cleaning the bathroom do a quick check around the toilet and tub and under the sink to So to make sure the bathroom won’t make an appealing hub for these bugs, check the pipes underneath the bathroom sink and make sure there’s no leakage. In addition to washing the shower curtain and liner, and cleaning out the medicine cabinet. Bugs love a moist and humid environment so ensuring ample ventilation inside the bathroom is an easy way of preventing those critters from making a home out of your bathroom.
3. Basement
Rodents, spiders, and a slew of other pests can make themselves at home in the basement. This is because many basements have dark corners and plenty of hiding places. Go through any clutter and throw away what’s not needed. Steer clear from using cardboard boxes to store items, using plastic bins with secure lids instead. You should also be sure to seal any cracks or crevices with a silicone-based caulk that pests could use to enter your home. Also, do a quick perimeter check keeping in mind that mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime and insects only need the tiniest crack. Pest Controls Services Los Angeles can help you out with your basement pest control needs.
4. Outside
Once you complete your list of tasks inside, conduct an audit of your home’s perimeter, taking stock of any damage done over the winter months. Take a look around the outside of your home. Does anything need to be repaired? Fix ripped screens, clean out gutters and make sure there aren’t any areas around your yard that can collect standing water. You may also find you need to repair ripped screens, replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around the foundation and windows. Trees while they provide excellent shade for your yard, and branches that have grown close to your house could serve as bridges for those litter critters to your roof or windows. Time to prune or trim those branches. Maintain a clean and well-trimmed lawn. While winter doesn’t bring much growth, your lawn could be stockpiled with branches, leaves, and stagnant water, which are excellent hiding places for bugs.
Following these four simple steps will go a long way in protecting your home from unwanted pests. Take advantage of this to maintain a healthy living environment for your family and deter pests from infesting your living space this spring.
