Spring has sprung! Flowers are in bloom, warm weather fills the air, and the gloomy clouds seem to have dissipated. Everyone's a little bit happier, ready to get out and about and “spring” into action after months of cold weather, ice, and snow. Now it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty and tackle that spring cleaning list. Before starting, check out this guide of specific things to do to help keep pests away from your property.
Far too often, pest control goes forgotten until there’s a major infestation. Seeing rodents, spiders, cockroaches, or other pests scurrying through the house is the last sight you want to see! Treating pests costs more than preventing them and reduces the headaches you’d feel with a pest problem in the home. Don’t allow this scenario to unfold in your home this year!
Kitchen
When it comes to pest prevention, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. Pests thrive in this room thanks to the abundance of food, water, and comfort.
Ants are known kitchen invaders, marching like little soldiers through the kitchen back to the colonies carrying any tiny morsel of food they can find left from the family’s meal. Make sure to clean off countertops, stovetops, tables, etc. after each use. Sweep the floors, too.
Clean out the pantry, removing items that have expired or have gone stale, such as spices or flour. These foods attract pantry pests such as ants and beetles. Wipe down the cabinets and behind all appliances. Wipe down the walls as well.
Bathroom
Cockroaches and silverfish love hanging out in the bathroom because it is damp. The pests are attracted to moisture. Eliminate any sources of water in the bathroom, including leaky pipes. Check under the sink and around the toilet to ensure that you don't have any leaks. It’s also wise to clean the shower curtain and liner and to clean out the medicine cabinet.
Basement
The basement has plenty to offer pests like spiders, rats, and mice. It’s dark, moist, oftentimes unattended, and usually more cluttered than other rooms. This gives pests what they need to hide and stay in their own lane and out of your eyesight. Make the basement less comfortable and appealing to pests by decluttering now. You should also use plastic totes for storage rather than cardboard since this reduces the risk of pests. Be sure to seal up cracks and holes in the floors, walls, and other areas of the basement to keep pests out.
Outdoor Space
After you complete the tasks above, conduct a thorough search of the outside perimeter of the home. There could be damage left behind from the winter that needs repairs. You should check the fascia and shingles of the roof, clean out clogged gutters and downspouts, and replace/repair ripped screens and weatherstripping.
Landscaping also becomes a top concern during the spring. As you plant flowers and otherwise prepare the aesthetics, be sure to keep pests on your mind. Always trim bushes and branches away from the home and keep tree stumps at least 1.5 inches away from the foundation of the home.
The Bottom Line
Spring weather brings renewed energy -even for pests. While you tackle the other spring cleaning tasks, be sure to consider the dangers the pest creates and take action to ensure they’re not problematic at your home. A little bit of effort goes a long way when keeping pests out of your house.
