Bugs, creepy crawlies, pests — whatever you choose to call them, they actually have a season; a time when they are busiest.
“Spring marks the real beginning of insect season because … with rising temperatures and spring showers, insects become more active,” suggest the pros at Petri Pest Control in Boynton Beach, Florida.
For the most part, bugs are tolerable when they are outdoors. When they intrude inside the home, it’s time to take action. And, if the pest that’s bugging you is among those that can cause damage to the property (such as roaches), act quickly.
1. Perimeters aren’t just for crime scenes
Consider applying a perimeter spray.
There are a number of brands on the market and we’ve heard positive reviews on many of them from our homeowner clients. Many formulas are pet and people-safe if used as instructed and once they dry, including:
- Ortho Home Defense® Crawling Bug Killer® with Essential Oils
- EcoLogic Ready-to-Use Home Insect Control
Follow all safety precautions and the use instructions listed on the label. Wear protective clothing, gloves, and a mask, and wash thoroughly after using the product.
2. Push back on bugs
A good first step if you don’t want to use the perimeter spray is to push bugs as far from the home as possible. Ways to do this include:
- Removing outdoor food sources that attract pests.
- Eliminating outdoor water leaks, such as a faucet that constantly drips.
- Declutter your yard to keep them from taking up residence in the clutter.
- Stack your firewood 10 or more feet from the home.
- Mow the lawn as short as possible.
- Trim tree branches growing close to the home.
3. Then, seal up the home
Take a tour of the interior of the home, looking for:
- Holes in floorboards (attractive to termites).
- Piles of paper and cardboard boxes in the garage (the rats and mice thank you for the free bedding!).
- Exterior cracks and holes that pests can use to gain access to the home.
- The entomologists at the SC Johnson Center for Insect Science and Family Health
recommend that you use caulk to fill the holes and cracks which will deny pests access to the home’s interior. - Cracks around doorways and windows.
- Torn and bent screens on doors and windows (get them repaired).
Bonus Tip
Cleanliness is next to pestlessness
The ickies come into our homes searching for one of three things:
- Food
- Water
- Shelter
Deny them these needs and they will most likely go elsewhere. The best way to accomplish this is to keep the home clean.
- Keep up after crumbs, both in the kitchen and in the kids’ rooms.
- Take the trash/garbage out to a secured bin every day.
- Pick up pet droppings in the yard.
- Ensure your pantry items are stored in sealed containers.
- Avoid leaving dishes in the sink.
- Fix leaky faucets.
If pests can’t find food, water, or shelter in your home, they will leave.
And that, after all, is the goal.
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