A Handy Spring Pest Prevention Guide For Western Massachusetts

March 3, 2021

In: Residential Pest Control

Spring is on its way and so are house-invading pests. That means ants, wasps, bees, termites, and other insects will begin to increase in your yard and inside your home. If you do not want your house to be the one hosting these spring pests, you will need to take some precautions.  

Time For Spring Cleaning  

Many people give their house a thorough spring cleaning. This is a good idea. While sanitation alone will not prevent pests, lack of sanitation will attract them. Here are some spring chores that are often forgotten:

• Clean under and behind heavy appliances. 

• Completely clean out your closets, even the very back.  

• Vacuum under appliances, in the backs of closets, and everywhere else in the house, then put the debris in the trashcan immediately.

• Clean the attic, especially if you have had pests up there.  

• Remove clutter that may hide insects.  

• Clean out trashcans so they do not have food residue in them.  

• Make sure all trashcans have tight-fitting lids.  

• Food needs to be stored in plastic, insect-proof containers.  

• Fabric needs to be stored in insect-proof containers as well.  

• Winter clothing needs to be cleaned before storage in plastic containers for the year.  

• Clear yard debris, especially around outbuildings and the corners of the property.  

• Clear any weeds leftover from the fall. 

Adding these chores to your spring cleaning will help you remain pest-free.  

Keeping Pests Outside Your House  

It is easier to keep pests outside in the first place than to have to evict them from your home. Here are some tips on doing that:

• Make sure screens are tightly fitting and free from holes.  

• Check the weather stripping on doors and replace if necessary.  

• Seal cracks and crevices in the foundation or walls of the home.  

• Downspouts should send water away from the foundation.  

• Fix any water leaks inside or out to remove moist spots in your house and yard.  

• Seal openings to your crawl space so only humans can get in there.  

• Seal any openings around pipes, cables, and electricity drops.   

• Replace rotten or damaged wood and siding on the house.  

• Put screens on top of your chimney and around the vents on your roof to prevent insects from entering there.

• Move firewood away from the home. 

• Pull mulch back from the foundation for 6-12 inches so insects can’t use it as a bridge to reach your home If you have tree branches touching your roof, trim them back so insects can’t get into your house that way.

It is important to seal every place anything can enter the house, so pests stay out of your home. Most insects can get through tiny cracks in the foundation and outside walls.

What Do I Do If Pests Get Inside?  

If you find that pests have gotten inside, or are causing problems outside, you need help. Pests can be hard to control. American Pest Solutions can control pests and help keep them from coming back. When you call our 24-hour phone number, we will schedule a time to come inspect the problem. Our pest control consultant will check the inside and outside of your home and prepare a plan to eliminate the pests you are having trouble with, and any others they find. With your approval, your pest control consultant will treat the existing pests.  

After pests are removed, American Pest Solutions will come out four times in each twelve-month period to treat the exterior of your home. If you have an active pest problem inside, they will treat that, too. If you have pests, call American Pest Solutions today at (413) 216-4188 to get rid of them.