With spring in full swing, the change of season also brings a change in the type of pests you will come across in your home and business. Not all pests are treated the same. To get ahead of pests this spring there are some actionable steps you can take to help prevent an infestation in your home.

1. Contact a professional pest control company

Firstly, spring and summer is the perfect time to have a professional preventative pest control treatment carried out. This will help prevent major infestations from happening, stopping pests in their tracks

2. Tend to your lawn and garden

With the weather getting warmer and your garden and lawns beginning to grow again, now is the perfect time to get your garden and lawn under control. Pests such as flies, cockroaches, fleas and rodents love to nestle in and call overgrown gardens home. So, removing overgrown grass, shrubbery and organic waste from your property helps to keep pests away.

Make sure that tree branches aren’t touching your roof or other areas of your home. If they are, it’s time to prune and/or trim. Pests such as rodents can easily move from the tree to your house or apartment.

3. Clean the gutters

Debris in your gutters may provide a food or water source for a range of pests. Give gutters a thorough cleaning yourself or hire a professional. This will also help to prevent overflows and possible floods during heavy rain.

4. Scan the outside of your home for points of entry

Pests need get in somehow; look around the outside of your home for possible ways they could enter. These potential entryways may include:

• air and chimney vents
• openings in the roof
• broken screens or windows
• cracks and crevices in walls or cladding.

To close air and chimney vents, you can install ventilation flaps. Be sure to repair any roof damage and fill cracks in walls or cladding. Repair broken screens or windows and fill in any gaps you find around the foundation of your home.

5. Pay attention to your rubbish

Just like people, insects and rodents are always on the lookout for a good free meal. That’s why it’s important to make sure you secure all rubbish and dispose of it appropriately. Make sure rubbish bin lids are tightly secured.

6. Give your home a thorough clean

There’s a reason why people talk about carrying out annual spring clean of their home! A deep clean of your home will not only make it hygienic, it also helps to make your home less attractive to pests. While giving walls, floors, benches and cupboards a deep clean, check for evidence of pest activity such as droppings, scratch marks, nests or dirt. Take the opportunity to make sure your dry goods are secured in sealed containers. If you compost, make sure food waste is kept in sealed containers as this is a perfect food source for unwanted pests.

There are many places in the home where pests create their own home. For example, unused or unmaintained rooms, cavities or even furniture provide warm dry homes for all types of pests. Check these areas regularly, and make sure they are secure with no evidence of pest activity. Remember to clean around drains to make sure they are free flowing with no build up. Again, this not only prevents the environment from inviting pests to breed, it also helps to prevent possible flooding.

If you’d like to work with us and secure your home against spring and summer pests, or if you have any questions, get in touch with one of our friendly team today.