Every spring, homeowners break out their sprays, scrubbers, and brooms to thoroughly clean their houses. Spring cleaning is a great way to remove dust and clutter for a fresh start. It’s also a great time to take preventive measures so that insects and pests don’t enter your home once warm weather arrives. As you plan for spring cleaning, remember these critical tasks to keep bugs away.
Repair screens. When the temperatures finally warm up, there’s nothing better than opening your windows to enjoy a pleasant spring breeze. If your screens have holes or rips, however, you’re laying out a welcome mat for insects to enter your home. Inspect all your screens in the spring and patch or replace the mesh. This simple step is an easy way to ensure your home stays bug-free.
Seal cracks. During your spring cleaning, you should also look for cracks around windows, doors, and the foundation of the house. Bugs can walk or fly into your home, and pests like mice, rats, and squirrels can squeeze into the smallest of holes. By sealing these cracks with caulk, foam, or silicone, you can prevent these pests from coming inside the house.
Remove piles of paper. Certain bugs like silverfish, cockroaches, and termites love to burrow in paper. Leaving stacks of paper around the house attracts these bugs. The best way to avoid having them take up residence in your home is to remove these piles. If you must keep the papers, store them in a sealed box.
Move firewood away from home. Just as bugs are attracted to paper, they are also drawn to firewood. If possible, keep your wood pile at least 20 feet away from your house. This way, if any bugs live in your wood, they won’t have easy access to your house.
Cut back trees and bushes away from the house. Branch limbs and foliage that are too close to the house act as a bridge for insects to enter. Walk around the exterior of your house to check trees and bushes. Tree branches should be 10 to 20 feet from your home, while bushes should be at least two feet from your house.
Now that you’ve taken the first steps to prevent bugs and pests from entering your home, let Home Pro Pest Control do the rest. Our service professionals create a custom plan to address your home’s needs so you can experience pest-free living all year long. To learn more about our offerings or schedule a free inspection, contact us online or at (757) 499-1078.