Have you ever heard the saying “Cleanliness is next to godliness?” We would like to propose a change to this saying: “Cleanliness is next to a pest-free home.” Although not nearly as catchy, it would not be wrong. How clean your home is can heavily affect the number of pest problems you have. Our challenge to you this spring is to let your spring cleaning be an end to troublesome pests. Let us show you how.
Common Spring Pests
Living here in Birmingham, we don’t see much of a reprieve from house-invading pests. This is mainly due to our warmer and more humid year-round climate. This means that pests are a constant problem and not just a spring nuisance. Some of the most common culprits include houseflies, ants, spiders, rodents, cockroaches, and centipedes. These are the pests you want out of your home this spring as many can cause a fair amount of trouble.
The Best Place To Start With Pest Prevention
Is spring cleaning a tradition in your family? It should be. Because many pests eat garbage and filth, a thorough cleaning of your home can greatly reduce its chances of becoming infected. Here is how we recommend you go about doing this.
- Start by cleaning up trash and removing the clutter around your home.
- Consider spending some time organizing storage areas as this can reduce harborage opportunities for many pests.
- Next, dust thoroughly, starting high and working your way low. Many pests like filth and this is a good way to reduce it.
- After this, clean your floors thoroughly, making sure to get all remanents of food, grease, and drink messes.
- Follow this up by cleaning off countertops. Make sure to use soap as to not leave any grease behind. Cockroaches in particular love greasy homes.
- Do not forget to clean beneath appliances in your kitchen including stoves, dishwashers, and refrigerators.
Other Things You Can Do To Keep Out Spring Pests
Beyond thoroughly cleaning your home, here are some other methods you can use to keep out pests.
- Repair or replace broken screening around your home.
- Make sure your gutters are in good working order.
- Install metal screens over exterior vents leading into your home.
- Seal up gaps and cracks in your home’s foundation using a caulking gun.
- Make sure all of your exterior doors are equipped with door sweeps.
- If your trash cans do not already have tight-fitting lids, invest in some that do.
- Store leftover food inside airtight containers
- Address leaky piping around your home.
- Fix broken gutters.
- Consider using dehumidifiers around your home if it is particularly humid inside.
- Trim back bushes and tree branches away from your home’s exterior.
- Keep your yard clutter and debris free as much as possible.
The more you can keep up with these general prevention tips, the less likely pests will be to cause trouble for you around your home.
The Easier Approach To Pest Control
If keeping pest out of your home seems like a hassle, we have an easier option for you here at Havard Pest Control. As spring comes into full swing, consider the benefits that professional pest control could have for your Birmingham home and property. We still recommend a good spring cleaning, but leave the pest control to us. We can put in place the protection your home needs to get and stay pest-free all the way through 2020.
Give us a call today to discuss your options and to find the plan that works best for you and your home.