With spring here, that means temperatures are rising, rain is falling, humidity is increasing, plants are growing, and pests are proliferating! While we do not have much control over these factors, there are things that can be done to help reduce the likelihood that encourages even more pest incursions inside of your home. While I am able to give my clients better recommendations because they are particular to their situation due to being on their property and within their home, I can give general advice that will help here!
Landscaping! While it’s the dreaded weekend chore of the spring and summer, keeping your landscaping maintained has a HUGE impact.
Anything plant that touches or hangs over your home allows a way for pests to bypass pest control preventative barriers by giving them another route onto and into your home. For trees and their branches above your home, it allows a way for spiders to drop onto your roof and for roaches to glide to it. Once on your roof, gaining access to your attic and the interior of your home is easy.
Weeds and grasses that grow along your foundation provide ground cover that provides harborage and traps moisture for both food and water and also protection for the pests.
Sources of standing water!
Even a capful of water can provide a breeding habitat for mosquitoes and it only takes a few days for them to go from egg, pupae, and adult. So anything that will hold water, whether its toys, lids, buckets, planter, these can all be sources of disease spreading pests.
Gutters need to be cleaned regularly. Even properly installed gutters can get clogged with debris and that can trap water and attract pests.
Nothing against the side/foundation of your home.
Anything against the sides of your home provides harborage and protection for pests. The more open to sun and air the perimeter around your foundation is, the better. Less protection, less moisture, less opportunity for pests!
