Springtime means warm weather, sunny days, budding flowers, and greener pastures. Unfortunately, however, it also means spring pest problems like termites, ants, and lady bugs. The influx of moisture in the air combined with the improved temperatures outside beckons insects from their hibernation and into your home. Luckily, there are some things you can do to stop spring pest problems before it becomes an infestation, or at limit the damage caused by an existing one.
Top Tips for Preventing Spring Pest Problems from Taking Over Your House
Winter months are cold and frozen, but when things begin to melt moisture is deposited. That moisture is a terrific breeding ground for bugs, mold, mildew, and algae. While spring cleaning this year, be sure to follow these simple steps to keep springtime pests from taking over your property like it’s their own:
1. Power Wash Surfaces
Adding new coats of paint to things around your yard and home is a popular springtime chore, but it’s basically pointless if you haven’t washed the dirt from surfaces beforehand. In addition to making things cleaner, power washing can also rid external walls, wood, masonry, and siding of pests and their nests. Use an antibacterial or insecticidal spray to combat the situation more efficiently.
TIP: High-quality power washers are available to rent or buy from companies in almost every city. However, be sure you know how to properly use one to prevent injury or property damage.
2. Clean Out Your Gutters
Creepy, crawly things like to camp out in the gutters of your home, so don’t forget to clean those out when doing springtime yard work. Cleanliness and sanitation are of top priority, especially since gutters are terrific collection spots for post-winter moisture. Make sure that downspouts drain away from your home. You do not want water pooling close to the structure. This can lead to many pest problems including ants and termites. It can also lead to structural issues as well as mold.
TIP: Since cleaning gutter is often difficult and dangerous, it may be best to hire a professional for the job.
3. Ventilate Your Crawl Spaces
Once you start to perform spring cleaning to get rid of pests, they will begin to hide in all the tiny spaces in your home – including but not limited to your crawl spaces. Since those spaces are constructed mainly for safety purposes, they’re not accessed very much and can become favorable hiding places for bugs. At the same time, an infestation can make them unusable in an emergency. Keep them cleared out and ventilated for best results.
TIP: A clean home is a safe and pest-free home, so be sure to clean your crawl spaces efficiently before closing them back up.
4. Install a Moisture Barrier
Not only will a properly installed moisture barrier make your home less attractive to springtime pests, but it will also protect your property from future infestations. Moisture barriers are typically installed by a team of professionals, but homeowners can do it as well. However, self-installation is difficult, dangerous, and often more expensive than simply hiring a company to do it for you.
TIP: Ask your homeowner’s insurance provider if any discounts are available for installing a moisture barrier this spring.
By removing clutter, doing some basic cleaning, and contacting a professional, it’s possible to prevent pests from swarming to your property this season.
5. Trim bushes and trees
Many trees and bushes around your home likely grew a lot over the last year. It may not be as noticeable during the winter when trees are barren. But come spring, those lush bushes and trees will need trimming. It’s best to keep bushes and trees at least a foot away from the structure to prevent easy access for pests such as ants as well as mice, squirrels, and spiders. Keep this in mind when planting new bushes and trees. If you have flowering bushes such as azaleas, you may want to wait a few weeks until they are done flowering to do the trimming.
TIP: Consult an arborist or professional landscaper before doing major trimming to make sure your trimming will not harm the plants.
Pests can get into a home through the smallest of cracks. Exterminators from a professional pest control company such as My Pest Pros can help identify problems in and around your home as well as keep spring pest problems away. contact My Pest Pros today at 703-665-4455. and schedule your treatment! We’ll Get Rid of What’s Bugging You!®