With flowers in bloom and the days growing longer, what’s not to love about springtime? Maybe it’s just those pesky creepy-crawlies that seem to accompany warmer weather. If you want to avoid an invasion of unwanted insect visitors this spring, read on to learn pest control professionals’ best tips for keeping insects outdoors where they belong.
Begin With The Outside
Working from the outside in is one of the most effective methods to keep pesky spring bugs at bay. You’ll want to make it as difficult as you can for these pests to enter your property, which means refreshing your landscape.
Organize And Trim Your Garden
Overgrown yards are one of the most prevalent causes of bug infestations. Mow your lawn and trim your trees and shrubs that are closest to your house exterior. That means clearing away debris like fallen limbs, decomposing logs, and tree stumps on a regular and ongoing basis. A professional lawn care service can assist you with yard tidying and clearing the area of pest-attracting debris.
Examine The Roof, Gutters, And Downspouts
Pests are cunning critters who can enter your house through the slightest of openings, including holes in gutters and shingles. Check your roof for common signs of shingles damage, and check your gutters and eaves for evidence of deterioration.
Keep an eye on your yard for roofing debris, as this may indicate concerns that aren’t evident from the ground. If you don’t have time or are afraid of climbing a ladder, call a roof cleaning professional to examine and wash your roof.
Examine Your Soil
Pests dwell not only in grass and plants but also in the soil. To prevent the earth from rising up against your home’s foundation, erect a barricade around the perimeter. Depending on your needs and tastes, there are numerous options. Those options include fencing, a small retaining wall made of brick or another masonry, and trees and vegetation placed several feet away from your house
You’ll also want to make sure that the earth slopes away from your house so that when it rains or snows, water and soil don’t begin to pool around your foundation. If the grate is very high and you need to move around a lot of earth to reroute the moist soil far from your property, your best option may be to hire a yard grading business with the necessary machinery.
Protect Your Residence
Even if you’ve done everything you can to turn your yard into an insect fortress, some of the most persistent pests may try to 
get through. This means that you’ll have to seal your home.
Make a thorough inspection of your home for leaks, gaps, and fissures. Check that each window is equipped with a screen. Look for any chipping, cracks, or evidence of degradation in the window frames. Check for leaks or openings in doorways and attics, and make sure all doors and windows leading into your crawl space or basement are properly sealed. Applying caulk or compound cement to any holes or gaps in your home’s exterior is your best chance for closing them up.
Remove All Sources Of Food And Water
Pests will be less interested in attacking your home if they can’t find any food or water, so keep all food sources out of reach. Bring your pet’s food indoors and store it in airtight containers. Be proactive about cleaning your kitchen and don’t leave stray crumbs where insects could discover them. Dispose of any remaining food or rubbish as soon as possible.
If you have bird feeders or outside feeding stations, make sure they’re at least 100 feet away from your house. If you have a vegetable garden, you should consider installing a fence or netting to keep larger pests out. You should also keep an eye out for other sources of standing water, both inside and outside your property. Mosquitoes and other water-loving pests will not be able to take up shelter and reproduce if you are swift in identifying the leak’s source.
Investigate Natural Options
If you want to discourage pests but don’t want to use harsh chemicals 
around your children and pets, there are several natural alternatives. You can address the problem – and prevent it from repeating – by using substances that you already have at home. That includes dish detergent, vinegar and even “competitor plants” that are toxic or repellant to pests.
The popularity of green pest management has increased among DIYers and individuals who don’t want to call a local pest exterminator if they prefer natural, environmentally sustainable alternatives.
Prevention Is The Best Medicine
If you’re worried about critters invading your home this spring, be proactive and apply insecticide early. This is crucial if you want to create a protective barrier around your home’s perimeter.
You have the option of doing it yourself or hiring a professional. Professional pest treatments could detect problem areas or infestations before significant damage occurs, and they will have stronger and more effective treatment chemicals than what consumers can obtain. However, that knowledge and labor will cost money, since professional pest treatment expenses range anywhere from $200 to $600. Treatment for severe termite infestations can cost upwards of $8,000. DIY pest control can be less expensive than professional extermination because you simply have to spend for the pesticide and any equipment you’ll need to administer it, such as a sprayer or protective clothing. Pesticides that are highly effective usually cost roughly $40 per pint. Fogger bombs are also available for under $100 each.
Contact Us Today!
If you have any questions or concerns regarding how you can control spring pests and keep them from entering your home, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our helpful and highly trained staff at Spartan Animal & Pest Control.
