Winter is coming to an end, spring is right around the corner, and with it comes some of the worst pests of the year. Biting insects, stinging pests, roaches, rodents, and everything in between can wreak havoc in and around your home if preventative measures are not taken. But here’s the good news: You can be ready!

 

By being proactive now, you can get a head start on eliminating and preventing these pests. Ultimately creating a pest-free environment for you, your friends, and your family to enjoy all spring and summer long.

 

Remove Any Standing Water

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in it, roaches can survive for long periods of time near it, ants will create a colony around it, and all pests love it. Standing water in or around your home will attract unwanted pests. Thankfully, this is an easy fix.

 

As the weather starts to warm up and the ice and snow begins to melt, take a walk around your home and look for standing water. If found, treat the issue as soon as possible. Some common areas where water accumulates are:

• Buckets, flower pots, or birdbaths
• Tarps, downspouts, or gutters
• Leaky sinks or clogged drains

 

Do Some Pre-Spring Cleaning

Take a walk around the exterior of your home and pick up any debris/trash, as these create a welcoming environment for pests to make your home, their home. Look around trash and recycle bins, and under your deck or porch. You will also want to pick up any leftover wood/leaf piles, as this is the perfect place for pests to overwinter and eventually enter your home in the spring.

 

Seal All Gaps Around Your Home

While doing your pre-spring cleaning, you will also want to look for cracks, holes, or gaps on the exterior of your home. These provide easy entry points for pests to wreak havoc inside your home. Some of the most common ways pests enter your home are through:

• Doors and windows: Make sure the doors are sealed tight around their thresholds, and check for gaps/holes in the screen of the windows.
• Cables and vents: Make sure these are sealed tight to the exterior of your home
• Cracks and gaps on siding: Thoroughly inspect the area where the siding meets the foundation as this is a common area for cracks, gaps, and holes.