Homeowners everywhere share a common goal: the elimination of pests from their dwellings. Nevertheless, pest control presents unique issues throughout different parts of the year. Fortunately, keeping your home free of pests year-round is possible with the help of seasonal checklists.
Spring Checklist
The swarming season of termites begins in the spring, and if uncontrolled, they can do a great deal of damage to structures. Carpenter bees may bore holes in your house and nearby wooden structures. After spending the winter dormant, queen bees emerge to construct new nests in and near human residences. Fleas are another pest that grows worse in the spring and summer, so it’s important to check your pets often.
- Seal entry points
- Clear debris
- Trim vegetation
- Check screens
- Inspect outdoor furniture
Seal Entry Points
Check the exterior of your house for any openings that pests could exploit. To stop bugs and rodents from getting in, plug these holes with caulk, weatherstripping or expanding foam.
Clear Debris
Clear the area surrounding your house’s foundation of any fallen branches, leaves or other debris. These materials, when combined with moisture, can make ideal pest hiding places. By removing these objects, you can make your home less appealing to pests and eliminate their hiding places.
Trim Vegetation
Never let trees, bushes or other plants grow too close to your home. Instead, keep plants at least six inches away from your home’s structure. Pests can easily gain entry to your home through overgrown plants.
Check Screens
Check all door and window screens for damage and fix them if necessary. Insects can squeeze into even the tiniest of cracks and crevices. You can keep a good barrier against flying insects by replacing ripped screens or fixing minor gaps.
Inspect Outdoor Furniture
Take a close look at any outdoor furniture you plan on using during the spring and summer. Pests can easily make homes and nests in furniture, so you may need to clean them before using them.
Summer Checklist
Summer is peak season for fabric moths, which can wreak havoc on furniture and apparel. Households often experience an invasion of flies and ants in the summer due to the presence of food and moisture. Insects like wasps and mosquitoes also ramp up their activity, making their way inside homes through cracks in the window and door frames.
- Maintain lawn and garden
- Empty standing water
- Proper food storage
- Repair leaks
- Strategically use outdoor lighting
Maintain Lawn and Garden
Keep your garden free of weeds and other unwanted plants to make it less inviting to insects and rodents. Mowing the yard regularly and taking good care of your plants will also help keep pests at bay.
Empty Standing Water
Remove anything that could collect water on your property and cause it to pool, such as birdbaths, old tires or blocked gutters. Infestations of mosquitoes and other insects can develop in these areas.
Proper Food Storage
Put a tight lid on food storage containers and clean up spills as soon as possible. This is especially important for gatherings that take place outdoors, like barbecues. Do not leave any food outside overnight since it will attract bugs and rats.
Repair Leaks
Take immediate action to repair any dripping fixtures. Eliminating water sources makes your property less appealing to bugs because there’s less moisture.
Strategically Use Outdoor Lighting
For outside illumination, think about getting some yellow “bug lights”—they’re less appealing to flying insects. Put lights in different areas, far from any potential insect access sites, such as doors or windows.
Fall Checklist
As the weather gets colder in the fall, rodents such as rats and mice flock to homes in search of protection. This is also the time of year when stink bugs and boxelder bugs invade homes in search of a place to spend the winter.
- Seal cracks and gaps
- Store firewood properly
- Clean chimneys and vents
- Inspect attic and basement
- Keep gutters clean
Seal Cracks and Gaps
Verify that your home’s exterior has not developed any new holes since summer. Look extra carefully at the areas around the house’s windows, doors and foundation. The goal is to plug any gaps that bugs might use to seek shelter during fall and winter.
Store Firewood Properly
Never stack firewood on the ground; instead, keep it at least 20 feet away from your house. This will keep pests out and make sure they can’t get into your home.
Clean Chimneys and Vents
Hire a professional to clean and inspect your home’s chimneys and vents. This not only enhances their functionality but also eliminates potential nesting sites for birds and rats.
Inspect Attic and Basement
Inspect the basement and attic for evidence of pests or holes that could allow them to enter. If you want to keep pests out of these frequently neglected areas, you’ll need to seal any cracks and make sure there’s enough air circulation.
Keep Gutters Clean
Keep water from pooling in your yard by clearing out your gutters. Clogged gutters not only invite pests but also cause water damage.
Winter Checklist
Spiders and cockroaches both tend to congregate indoors during the winter, seeking refuge from the cold. If you travel for the holidays, you must inspect your belongings before bringing them back into the home, since it’s easy to bring in bed bugs and other pests from hotels.
- Use steel wool for small holes
- Inspect insulation
- Keep indoor areas dry
- Close off chimneys with caps or screens
- Keep your home clean
Use Steel Wool for Small Holes
Place steel wool into cracks and crevices, particularly those surrounding plumbing. The indigestible nature of steel wool makes it a formidable obstacle for rodents.
Inspect Insulation
Inspect the insulation in your home for any indications of damage or infestation. To stop further infestations, replace any contaminated insulation and plug any entry openings.
Keep Indoor Areas Dry
Keep the relative humidity in your house low, particularly in the basement, the attic and any crawl spaces. If necessary, consider installing a whole-home dehumidifier to help with humidity management.
Close Off Chimneys With Caps or Screens
To keep animals, birds and rats out of your home through the chimney, install a cover or screen. These covers also aid in preventing the entry of material, such as twigs and leaves, that can block airflow and cause fires.
Keep Your Home Clean
The wintertime is the perfect time to give your house a deep clean since you’ll likely spend more time indoors during the colder weather. Some of the best ways to give your home a deep clean include decluttering and reorganizing, steam cleaning carpets and upholstery, sanitizing high-touch surfaces and scheduling professional HVAC maintenance. Pests are much less likely to infiltrate your home if you keep it clean.
Bucksworth Services is here to help you stay on top of your pest control efforts in Phoenix, AZ. We offer HVAC maintenance, indoor air quality solutions, ductless HVAC services and much more. Call us today to schedule HVAC or pest control services for your home.
