As the weather begins to warm up, it is time to start thinking about pest control. Household pests will begin to multiply during the spring, and what started off as a few bugs can quickly turn into a massive colony. Here are some simple tips and tricks you can use to prevent bug and rodent infestations in the coming months.
Keep Your Pets Clean
Dogs and cats that are not regularly cleaned can easily bring new bugs into a home. Their thick winter coats are the perfect hiding place for bugs such as fleas, ticks, termites, and ants. As they start to shed their winter coat, you might want to consider having them trimmed and cleaned by an experienced groomer. You should also inspect them for ticks and other pests whenever they spend time outside.
Take A Look At Your Plumbing
All pests need access to some source of water in order to survive. That is one of the reasons why so many infestations occur near leaking pipes and faucets. At least once or twice a year, homeowners should check their plumbing for leaks. In addition to a visual inspection, you can also use your water meter to test for a leak. After turning all of your faucets and appliances off, your water meter should not be moving at all. If it continues to move, then you most likely have a slow leak somewhere in the system.
Start Sealing Your Home
Spending a few hours sealing up old cracks and pinholes will provide you with a wide variety of benefits. In addition to improving your home’s insulation, this project will also keep bugs and rodents out of your home. Most cracks take place around windows and doors, but you should check around vents and pipes as well. The vast majority of openings can be sealed with all-purpose caulking and a caulking gun.
Have The Perimeter Treated
No matter how much time and energy you spend trying to keep pests off of your property, there may come a point when you need professional help. Preventative pest control services are extremely affordable, and they will give you an additional layer of protection against all of the most common bugs and rodents. Most experts suggest having the perimeter of a home treated at least twice a year.
When it comes to pest control, a little bit of preventative maintenance will have a major impact. Having your property treated by professionals, like those at All Seasons Pest Control, sealing up cracks, and taking care of leaks will drastically reduce your risk of a severe pest infestation during the spring and summer months.
This guest post is written by Emma Sturgis a freelance writer based in Boston, MA. When not writing, she enjoys rock climbing and reading. Say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2.
