Some of the biggest misconceptions about pest control are: clean homes are immune to pests, pests disappear in the winter, and you only need to treat for pests when you see an infestation. When it comes to pests, prevention is the key.
Pest control is a year-round effort that revolves around similar tasks that should be completed seasonally.
Winter
Common winter pests are: rodents, cockroaches, and stink bugs.
- Inspect attics, basements, and crawl spaces where pests are prone to hibernate.
- Double check cracks and other crevices where warmth might be escaping the home and enticing pests to enter. Seal these gaps appropriately.
- Store food items in plastic bins and try to avoid food crumbs. Mice seek refuge in the colder months and are attracted to crumbs and other granular sized foods.
Spring
Common spring pests are: ants, termites, and mosquitoes.
- Inspect seal cracks in foundation, windows, and doors. Inspect for termite damage and consider hiring a professional for an annual assessment.
- Fix leaky faucets and clear clogged gutters to eliminate water issues. Remove standing water that may have collected in empty buckets, outdoor covers or poor drainage areas to stop mosquitoes.
- Remove leaf litter and debris where pests may have created a nest or are hiding.
Summer
Common spring pests are: ticks, wasps, and mosquitoes.
- Mow grass regularly and keep your lawn short. Trim vegetation away from your house.
- Change your indoor and outdoor pet’s water daily. Use A/C and dehumidifiers to manage moisture.
- Higher temperatures can cause trash to become foul and have strong odors, so it is very important to use sealed secured bins.
Fall
Common fall pests are: rodents, stink bugs, and spiders.
- Clear leaf piles and possible woodpiles.
- Store firewood away from your house. Rodents, snakes, and bugs like to live in these spaces. Sometimes they will also build nests here.
- Seal gaps where pests will try to enter to seek warmth from the outdoors.
- Vacuum and dust to get rid of spiders (and possible nests). It’s important to focus on connecting rooms like mudrooms and the garage where spiders tend to set up webs.
Keeping pests out is 100 percent a year-round effort. Along with these seasonal focuses, be sure to: promptly clean up spills, never leave pet food outside or unsealed inside, trim trees and shrubs, and regularly check outside for pests. If you find an infestation, it is important to address the issues as soon as possible because a pest problem will become out of control quickly.