Keep Your Home Pest Free All Year with These Tips.

Regardless of the season, pests can and will find their way into your home. Rain, wind, heat and even the few cold days we experience in Florida won’t keep insects and rodents at bay. In fact, our climate actually attracts more pests than in other states. Over 35% of homes in central Florida reported problems with roaches in 2021, and shockingly the Bay Area is rated one of the most rodent infested places in the nation! Thankfully, you don’t need to become another statistic. The following tips can help keep your home pest free all year long!

Prevent pest problems by securing the outside of your home to make sure pests can’t find a way in. Insects, mice and rats can squeeze through the tiniest of cracks in your home’s exterior. Bugs can effectively squeeze through openings just 1/64th of an inch and; mice can enter through a hole the size of a dime. That means these pests can sneak in around wires and pipes leading into your home as well as light fixtures, windows and doors that are not properly sealed. It is imperative to seal any cracks in your home’s foundation with caulk or foam and close any gaps you find around windows and doors. Small openings in the eaves of your home can also be entry points for pests. Wire or mesh screens are an effective way to keep rodents out of your exterior vents.

It’s no secret that pests are attracted to the things we discard. Bugs and rodents love easy access to spoiled food, soiled diapers, empty soda cans, discarded pizza boxes, and the like. Be sure to take your trash out regularly and clean outdoor bins from debris and spills so pests are not treated to an easy meal. Outdoor trash bins can be cleaned out with bleach regularly to keep pests at bay. Also make sure the area around your exterior trash cans is tidied up and free from dropped food scraps.

Keeping your home clean will prevent pests from having a reason to come inside. Pests love messy homes where making a nest and finding crumbs is easy peasy. Sweep your floors, wipe off countertops and avoid leaving open snacks or dirty dishes around your home. All food containers in your cabinets and pantry should have an air-tight sealed so bugs can’t find a way inside. Pro tip: Move snacks and pantry staples to food-safe storage containers with rubber seals once the original packaging has been opened. Always wipe up water and sticky spills that attract ants, roaches or other pests. And never leave dirty dishes in your sink overnight! Remember, the majority of pests are nocturnal so leaving them a midnight snack is the best way to create a problem.

Pests are drawn to water. Therefore leaky faucets should be repaired in a timely manner to keep a pest free home. Don’t let leaks attract pests and lead to an infestation! Cutting off the flow, or drips of water to bugs will have them looking for a new place to call home.

High grass and piles of yard debris are a pre-built nest for pests to call home. Keep your lawn cut short, bushes trimmed and dispose of yard waste properly so pests don’t have a place to hide. If you keep a supply of firewood, store it at least 20 feet away from your home. The farther from your home, the better. This is because pests will undoubtedly take up residence in your wood pile and you want them as far away from your home as possible.

Don’t let water collect in any outdoor containers. Kids’ toys, pet food bowls, patio furniture, buckets, unused planters and lawn and garden equipment can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Empty water that collects after a rain and find ways to decrease the number of places where water can accumulate. This simple step will help prevent pest problems both inside and outside your home!

Conduct regular inspections around the interior and exterior of your home. Even in Florida, rodents look for warm nesting places during the winter months, so it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of trouble. If you think you may have a problem with rodents or insects, contact a reputable pest control company such as Superior Spray Service. They’ll be able to conduct a comprehensive inspection of your home and yard and use their professional knowledge to identify signs of pests that you may miss.

If you’re looking for a pest control company to help you maintain a pest free home all year long, trust the professionals at Superior Spray Service. We offer free inspections and scheduled services to keep your home free of pests, no matter the season. Call us today at 833-682-0700 or request service using our online form.