The most important aspect of any pest-free home is a clean and well-maintained environment, both inside and out. As the weather warms, bugs begin to swarm – making spring the perfect time to clean up the areas of your home which are most susceptible to pests. Follow this spring-cleaning list to help prevent possible bug infestations:
Interior space Check List
● Kitchen cabinets: Check for open/expired food. An open box of goodies will entice hungry pests like ants, Indian meal moths, stored product beetles, and roaches. Store dry food like baking flours, cereals, and pastas in airtight containers.
● Keep areas clutter-free: Clutter means more hiding spaces for pests like bed bugs. And certain pests, like silverfish, even eat cardboard and paper products. Use plastic totes for storage and immediately remove junk mail and cardboard boxes from the home. Don’t forget the often-untouched spaces, like the corners of garages and storage sheds. Cleaning those spaces up in the spring will encourage unwanted guests to vacate the premises.
● Stay on top of cleaning chores: Eliminating dust and dirt while examining the smaller areas in your home are effective tactics for spotting a pest issue before it becomes a larger problem.
Exterior Space Check List
● Close/Seal gaps: Address torn screens, cracks near windows, missing door sweeps, or broken windows to keep unwanted pests from sneaking in.
● Inspect crawl spaces: Certain wood eaters and insects love moisture, so it’s important to check your crawl spaces to make sure there isn’t excessive moisture attracting pests. If you’d rather not venture into the dark, hire a professional to check these spaces for you.
● Eliminate standing water: The minute temperatures start to warm up, any standing water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Keep birdbaths, fountains, and pool water circulating to keep pests from laying eggs. Walk through your backyard and remove water from furniture, kid’s toys and pet accessories, and sweep away puddles on your porch or deck.
● Clean gutters: Clogged gutters mean more standing water and more potential for mosquito production. Point gutter spouts away from your home to prevent sources of pest development and water damage.
● Power wash exterior walls: This removes the build-up of pest-inviting dirt and mildew.
● Avoid using wood mulch and pine straw along exterior walls: Termites love wood mulch and pine straw because they create a warm, moist, and comfy environment. Try gravel or rubber mulch instead.
● Prune bushes and shrubs: Keep bushes and plants a safe distance away from your home – we recommend two feet. Trim vegetation and clean up after fruit trees. Many ants and insects love to eat the natural sugars in fruit, so don’t allow bushes or trees to come in contact with the exterior of your home.
Spring cleaning and home maintenance may not be the most enjoyable project you have on your “to-do” list, but it reduces clutter from your home and allows you to enjoy the warm weather that is quickly approaching. By taking these steps, you can discover a potential pest problem before it becomes worse… or more expensive than it needs to be. If you suspect an infestation of any kind or want a thorough inspection of your property, call the experts at EcoTech. In an effort to pest-proof the house, they utilize a 17-point inspection, looking at areas where pests could potentially enter. Serving the Twin City metro area, call any of these convenient phone numbers, or schedule an appointment online: (612) 386-1289 • (952) 881-6662 • (763) 785-1414 • (763) 785-1414.
