5 Painless Pest Control Tips for Spring
Enjoy a critter-free spring
What’s not to love about springtime, with flowers blooming and the days getting longer? Well, how about those nasty creepy-crawlies that so often arrive with warmer weather? If you want to keep your home from being invaded by hordes of unwanted guests, read these five pro-approved pest control tips for spring.
1. Work From the Outside In
One of the best ways to prevent annoying spring pests from taking over your home is to work from the outside in. You’ll want to make it as difficult as possible for these critters to access your home, meaning giving your landscaping a bit of a refresh. Here’s how to do it.
Clear and Trim Your Yard
An overgrown yard is one of the most common problems that can lead to pest infestations. So keep your grass cut and your trees and shrubbery well-trimmed, particularly those nearest your home. This should include regularly clearing away debris, such as fallen limbs or decaying logs and tree stumps. A lawn care professional can help ensure your yard is neat and free of pest-attracting debris.
Check Roofing, Gutters, and Downspouts
Pests are crafty creatures and can enter your home through the tiniest of crevices, including gaps in your gutters and roofing shingles. Check your roof for common problems, and inspect the shingles, gutters, fascia, and eaves for signs of deterioration.
You’ll also want to keep an eye out for roofing debris in your yard, as this can indicate problems that aren’t visible from the ground. If you’re short on time or uncomfortable with the thought of climbing up a ladder, hire a roof cleaning pro to inspect and clean your roof.
Check Your Soil
Pests don’t just live in grass and greenery; they also live in the soil. Create a barrier around the perimeter of your home to prevent soil from building up against your home’s foundation. There are several ways to do this, depending on your needs and preferences. You may use fencing or a small retaining wall of brick, stone, masonry, or even trees and shrubbery planted several feet from your house.
You’ll also need to ensure the soil grades away from your home, so water and soil don’t accumulate at your foundation with each rain or snowfall. If the grate is particularly steep and you need to move a lot of earth to redirect the moist soil away from your home, your best bet may be to hire a yard grading company that has the appropriate machinery for this work.
2. Seal Your Home
Even after you’ve done all you can to turn your yard into a fortress against insects, some of the more stubborn pests will still try to make it through. This means you’re going to need to seal your house.
Do a run-through of your home, looking for drafts, gaps, and crevices. Ensure that each window has a screen. Check the window frames for any chips, cracks, or signs of decay. Notice any drafts or gaps in doorways and attics, and ensure that all doors or windows to your crawl space or basement are adequately sealed. Your best bet for closing up any holes or cracks in your home’s exterior is to apply compound cement or caulk to those areas.
3. Remove All Food and Water Sources
Pests won’t have much interest in invading your home if they can’t find the food and water they need there, so be vigilant about keeping any food sources out of reach. Bring pet food inside and store it in sealed containers. And promptly dispose of leftover food and trash.
If you have bird feeders or outdoor feeding stations to nourish wildlife, ensure they’re all at least 100 feet from your home. And if you have a vegetable garden, consider installing a fence or netting to keep larger pests at bay.
You’ll also want to watch out for any standing water inside or outside of your home. Identifying the source and fixing leaks quickly will prevent water-loving pests such as mosquitos from taking up residence and breeding.
4. Explore Natural Solutions
If you’re looking to prevent insect infestations but are concerned about using harsh substances around your children and pets, you have many natural options to choose from. From dish soap to vinegar to “competitor plants” that are toxic or repellant to pests, you can often treat the problem and prevent it from recurring with ingredients you may already have at home.
If you’re looking for natural, environmentally sustainable solutions, green pest control is gaining popularity for DIY-ers and those who want to call a local pest exterminator.
5. Preventive Treatment
If you’re really concerned about a critter invasion this spring, you can be proactive by applying pesticide before they infiltrate your home. This can be especially important for creating a barrier around your house perimeter.
You have the choice between DIY-ing it or calling in a pro. In general, professional pest control near you will identify problem areas or detect infestations early before real damage sets in, and they’ll also likely have stronger and more effective substances than consumers can get their hands on. But, of course, you’ll have to pay for the expertise, as the average cost for professional pest control can range from $200 to $600. That price can easily rise to as much as $8,000 to treat heavy termite infestations.
The cost of DIY pest control can be significantly lower than professional extermination, as you’ll only need to pay for the pesticide and any equipment you might need to apply it, such as a sprayer or protective gear. Highly effective pesticides generally cost around $40 per pint. You can also purchase fogger bombs for under $100 each.