Spring Pest Prevention Tips For New England Homes

March 30, 2015

What a winter this has been! New England has had quite a cold and snowy season. Spring is finally a blip on our radar. What a welcoming thought this is! Sun shining, green grass growing, flowers blooming, birds singing and spring pests making their journey inside our homes. WHAT?! Wait, spring pests coming inside? I don’t think so. Spring pests enter homes in search of food, water and shelter. Here are some of our favorite spring pest prevention tips for our fellow New Englanders.

Food
Spring clean that kitchen and pantry. Scrub your appliances to remove all food residue and crumbs. Empty your pantry and clean up any spills or crumbs. Since you are handling all your pantry items, you may as well check expiration dates and dispose of food that has expired. If you have opened items in your pantry that may be tempting to insects and pests, store them in an airtight container. Do not leave dirty, food-covered dishes on the counter or in the sink. Wash or rinse dirty dishes immediately after use. Keep your sink clean of food residue and be sure to empty out that sink drain screen.

Water
Inspect all plumbing fixtures for any leaks or seal failures. Take a peek under these fixtures and check all exposed plumbing for any leaks. Check the condition of your gutter and water removal systems. Keeping your gutter clear and flowing will decrease the amount of standing water in them and around your home. The less standing water you have, the less insects and pests will be around. Mosquitoes and other insects actually breed in standing water. Clean up all containers that may make an easy home for standing water.

Shelter
Clean all closets, cabinets and drawers. Keeping these dark places clean will discourage insects and rodents from making them their homes. Inspect your window and door screens for any tears or damage and fix or replace them. Ventilation can be an easy access point for pests also. Check all H.V.A.C. points for intact insect screening and any sign of hives, nests or pest homes. Seal or repair any homes or cracks in your basement or foundation walls. Move all woodpiles as far away from your home as possible. Spiders and insects often find homes inside a nicely stacked woodpile.

Spring is oh so close. Doing some simple home inspections, cleaning and repairs can really help deter spring pests from visiting your house this season.

Of course, the very best way to combat spring pests is by contacting the pest control professionals here at American Pest Solutions. We’d be happy to customize a home pest control plan just for you and that takes into consideration your home’s style, the pest pressure, and of course, your family and pets. Signing up for year round pest control is the most sure-fire way to keep your home pest free. Contact us today for a pest free spring!

American Pest Solutions provides pest control services in Springfield and Western Massachusetts and also Hartford County, CT.