4 Simple Pest Control Tips
With these four simple tips, you can help keep the critters outside for good!
1. Keep Gutters Clean
Make sure that all of your gutters and downspouts are working properly and that they are clean of any debris. Clogged gutters are a breeding ground for termites, ants, bees, hornets, mice, wasps and other pests. In the winter, gutters covered in snow become an insulated area for rodents and pests. This creates a place for them to eat and lay eggs. In the spring, summer and fall standing water in your gutters are a breeding ground for mosquitoes to breed as mosquitoes actually lay their eggs in standing water.
Also, clean gutters will avoid attracting termites. Termites feed on many things, but specifically wood that has been damaged by water. Keeping your gutters clean in every season is a simple way to keep the pests away.
2. Store Firewood at a Distance
Proper pest control can sometimes come from surprising areas. For example, firewood should be stored as far away from you home as possible – at minimum five feet. Termites can live in the firewood and if it is stored near your foundation you will provide them with more opportunity to destroy the wood in your home.
3. Clean Your Kitchen
It is very easy for your kitchen to become a home for ants, other insects and mice. For optimal pest control, make sure to clean up any crumbs from your counter or floors immediately. Make sure all food in boxes and bags are completely sealed. Another kitchen tip – do not let fruits and vegetables stay on your counter for too long. Overripe fruits and vegetables can attract fruit flies.
4. Remove Debris
Debris- including building supplies, trimmings from your lawn or trees and or even your trash and recycling – can be a breeding ground for pests. It is important to keep these items away from your home and foundation. Also, remember to trim your trees and bushes as least one foot away from the exterior walls and roofline of your home.
Implementing these four simple tips will eliminating conditions in your home that will attract pests and rodents. If you have any concerns that you may already have pests or rodents in your home, it is probably time to reach out to a pest control professional for advice and services.