It’s no secret that pests seem more prevalent during the summer. While pests are present during the cooler months as they hunker down in people’s homes, they become more active as the weather warms up, searching for food and breeding grounds, making them a real nuisance to homeowners. Here are six summer pest control tips every homeowner should know:
Keep Your Lawn Well-Maintained
Most pests are known for being experts at hiding out in neglected areas in and around your home. A messy lawn invites them to take up shelter in overgrown brush, leaf piles and other debris. This makes it tricky to spot them on your property. If left unchecked, they can breed and cause an even bigger headache for homeowners. A clean, well-manicured lawn is less appealing to pests and allows you to easily identify an infestation if one arises.
Eliminate Standing Water and Moisture
Standing water is a major attractant for mosquitoes, as they require still water to lay their eggs. Especially during the summer months when mosquitoes are more active, make sure to empty bird baths, outdoor pet bowls, flower pots and other reservoirs to eliminate their breeding grounds. Regularly cleaning gutters is a good practice for the same reason.
Pests like termites and cockroaches also enjoy damp environments. Although spring is peak termite swarming season, they still swarm in the summer, and that means they’re active and searching for places to nest. If you have moist, rotting wood around your home or yard, this is an invitation for termites to invade. Make sure to reduce moisture around your home by fixing leaks, removing sources of standing water and using proper ventilation.
Secure Trash
Almost every pest infests people’s homes in search of food. For many, trash is the perfect meal. Keep garbage cans secure with tight-fitting lids. Before placing them outside or in the garage, make sure the bags are tied tightly to reduce odors that attract pests. Regularly clean your garbage cans by wiping them down, as buildup of food remnants and sticky substances is a sneaky source of food for many insects, especially ants. Also, make sure your garbage isn’t leaking onto the floor, as this can be another attractant.
Keep Your Home Clean and Organized
Just as pests love a messy yard, they love a cluttered home. Disorganized storage areas with lots of boxes, papers and piles of clothing can be the perfect hiding place for pests, especially since they often use these items as nesting material. Make sure to keep these areas and other forgotten corners of the home neat and tidy. Avoid leaving leftover food or pet food out for long periods, and keep the sink free of dirty dishes. Between your pets’ feedings, wash or wipe down their food bowls to get rid of any food remnants.
Close Doors and Windows
Although letting the fresh air in on a clear summer day may sound nice, leaving windows and doors open is a one-way ticket for pests to invade your home. Keep doors and windows closed, or install screens to prevent pests from making their way in. Of course, if you decide to use screens, make sure they stay in good shape with no holes or rips.
Seal Entry Points
One of the most effective ways to avoid a pest problem is to prevent them from entering in the first place. Pests make their way in through the tiniest of openings on your home’s exterior. With pest activity climbing during the warmer months, sealing up gaps, cracks and holes around windows, doors and vents, and along the foundation is crucial.
Now that you know some of the essential summer pest control tips, you can better protect your home against an infestation as the weather warms up. But even with all the proactive measures in place, pests are still sneaky and can find their way in. If you’re dealing with a summer pest problem, despite your best efforts, your Omaha pest control home team at Pro-Staff is here to help with expert removal and exclusion techniques. Call us at (402) 819-7378 or contact us online for a free quote.
