Things are warming up in the Big Apple. As they do, you can expect bugs and critters to start appearing in your yard. This is the time of year when ants, spiders, flies, rodents, wasps, cockroaches, mosquitoes, and a long list of other potentially harmful pests, become active around your home. If the conditions are right, they can start to become active inside your home as well. So it is important to take time to consider spring pest prevention. Today, we're going to discuss three ways you can keep pests from becoming a problem inside your New York City home that are specific to spring.
Removing What Pests Want
Do you do a little spring cleaning in your home and in your yard? If you do, keep in mind that all of that spring cleaning doesn't just make things look nice, it can remove attractants that lure animals into your yard and into your home. Here are a few examples:
- Removing unnecessary clutter from your yard will remove hiding places that timid mice will use as they explore. It will also remove holes and recesses that spiders hide in, and dark dampness near the ground that moisture pests are looking for.
- When you trim your grass, pluck your weeds, and get rid of vegetation you don't really need, you reduce food sources for many pests. Some wildlife eat plants, and many insects live off the sweet sap from plants. There are even insects that feed on the excretion from the insects that eat the sap; it's gross but true. Reduce this food source and you'll reduce a wide range of potential pests.
- Pick trash up and make sure trash is in sealed receptacles. You would be amazed how many pests are attracted to trash as a food source. Some even use trash as a breeding location.
- If you have exterior lights, be aware that many insects are attracted to light. When lights are left on at night, you'll attract them to your home. Keep them off where it is not a security issue, or consider using yellow, insect-resistant lighting.
- Moisture is a strong attractant for many pests. Some of the pests that are drawn to moisture are the worst kind of pests. Dampness causes wood rot and wood rot is ideal for carpenter ants, termites, and other wood-destroying pests.
- It is important to do a deep cleaning of the inside of your home during the spring. As pests start to become active, they'll find a way into your home. When they do, you don't want them to find delicious grime on the side of your oven, delectable fermented juice remnants under your refrigerator, or delightful morsels of crumbs under the cushions of your couch. Your spring cleaning has a big impact on pest activity in your home.
Sealing Potential Entry Points
When bugs and wildlife explore the exterior of your home, it is important that they find as few entry points as possible. Do an inspection of your exterior and check to see that you don't have any:
- Damaged screens
- Damaged or missing door sweeps
- Gaps in weatherstripping around doors
- Gaps in the seals around doors and windows
- Holes in door or window frames
- Cracks in your foundation wall
- Gaps around plumbing pipes
- Broken window panes
- Missing vent caps
Applying Products To Reduce And Repel Pests
Removing attractants and sealing entry points can make a big difference. It might make all the difference. But some homes require more protection and some pests don't take "go away" for an answer. So the best way to establish a pest-free home is to have routine treatments and pest maintenance to the exterior of your home. If you live in New York City, we can help you with your pest control needs. Reach out to Parkway Pest Services today for immediate assistance.