Once spring season arrives, insects leave their overwintering sites to search for food and water, and to breed. These factors often lead to pest infestations in households during the warmer seasons. However, you can prevent ants, termites, ticks, spiders, arizona bark scorpions, and other pests from infesting your house by incorporating the following simple pest-proofing techniques as a part of your spring cleaning routine:
1. Inspect your house thoroughly for any insect access points.
You should look over your entire house to find and seal any openings that may allow insects to get in. Pay special attention to any extra space present around utility pipe entrances and loose window panes. Seal any small opening with a silicone-based caulk. The steel wool is good for keeping insects out of and away from larger openings.
Pest control professionals offer pest control services in California that prioritize prevention and long-term solutions through the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. Their approach involves identifying and addressing the root causes of pest infestations rather than simply eliminating the pests themselves. This holistic approach ensures that pest problems are resolved effectively and efficiently while minimizing the use of pesticides and other chemicals. Additionally, their team of experienced and certified pest control experts provides customized solutions tailored to the specific needs of each client’s property.
2. Look for signs of pest infestations
You should observe the woodwork of your house for any termite damage. This includes mud tubes, soft and brittle wood that sounds hollow and cracked, and flaking paint. If any of these signs are present, you should contact a professional pest control firm, like on https://www.pestcontrolexperts.com/aptive/california/, to come and treat the infestation.
3. Learn how to identify certain dangerous pests
Although some pests are just pesky and harmless, certain insects may spread diseases, or have poisonous bites or stings. These include the arizona bark scorpion, which is one of the most venomous scorpions, and some spider species. Thus, if you live in an area prone to pest infestations, it is crucial for you to identify poisonous insects for the increased safety of your household.
4. Thorough Yard Clean-up
If your house has a yard, it is imperative for you to maintain and clean it properly. This will reduce the chances of insects developing in your yard and finding their way into your home. You should properly landscape your yard by keeping the grass cut low. Trim the tree shrubs and bushes as well to ensure that vegetation grows in an opposite direction from your house. In addition, clean your gutters of leaves and other organic matter too; debris can cause water to collect in the gutters and serve as a pest breeding ground.
5. House Repairs
Take care of any broken screens, broken or cracked windows, loose windowpanes, and loose mortar around windows and basement foundation. You should also repair rotten or broken roof shingles and fascia boards, as some insects breed or feed on rotting wood. Prevent standing water by directing it away from your house through draining gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks. You should repair leaking faucets or water pipes as well.
6. Regular House Maintenance
You can incorporate certain steps in your house maintenance routine to prevent pest infestations. If you use firewood, be sure to store it at a distance of 20 feet from your house while mulch should always be 15 feet away from the basement foundation. You can use trash bins with lids to keep garbage covered, and should dispose it of in an outside dumpster as quickly as possible. Kitchens can often serve as a breeding ground for insects. Therefore, you must keep your counters clean and sweep the kitchen floor to get rid of any food crumbs. Any spoilt food should also be disposed of as soon as possible. Furthermore, vacuuming is useful to get rid of any food crumbs quickly since that can attract ants. Regular vacuuming can also get remove any pest eggs that have gotten into your house.
