Seasonal Pest Control Tips For First Time Homeowners

Buying your first house is an exciting experience. You also have a long list of new tasks and responsibilities. Home security is a priority for most homeowners. However, keeping your home safe from potential intruders requires more than deadbolts or home alarms. No matter where you live, common pests are always looking for homes. Knowing when and how pests work will allow you to protect your most valuable investment and avoid seasonal pest problems. Here are some pest control tips you need to know.

Like all living creatures, pests seek shelter, food, water, and water. They don’t require a lot of openings. Common mice can fit through openings as small and narrow as a pencil’s diameter, while spiders and other insects can get in through cracks up to 1/16 inches. Ants are the most persistent and common household pests.

Residential Pest Control Tips

Pest-proofing your property year-round requires a thorough inspection inside and outside, followed by prompt treatment. The following should be on your basic residential pest control list:

Yard and garden debris can be used as hiding spots or homes for pests. Clear away leaves around your foundation and clean your gutters. Keep your garage and outbuildings clear of clutter.
Seal any cracks or larger openings in the foundation or siding joints. Clear caulk and other sealants can be used to block common entry points such as those around gas and water pipes, telephone lines, cable connections, and windows. Sealing reduces energy consumption, too.
Door thresholds and sweeps should be kept tight. Doors at corners are prime areas for pests.
To prevent pests and moisture from building up, keep wood landscape mulch away form your foundation. You can deter pests by using stone mulch or fresh cedar chippings.
Cut back any shrubs or tree branches that touch your home and trim overhanging limbs. Both are ready to be used by wildlife and insects.
Place gutter downspouts to direct rainwater away from your foundation. Moisten, low-lying areas are places where mosquitoes and pests can thrive.
To keep unwanted intruders out, cover any vent openings with wire mesh (also known as hardware cloth).

Pest activity is seasonal and has highs and lows. Spring and summer are the peak seasons, so be proactive. Indoor pest problems can be reduced by quickly dealing with them. Pests will seek out warm, dry places or food sources indoors in the event of prolonged drought, cold weather, or prolonged rain.

EARLY SPRING – FALL

Early pest activity is a sign that rodents are leading the charge. Gophers and moles are able to decimate lawns and leave them covered with tunnels and mounds from the start of the spring through summer and then autumn. Before warm weather comes, you need to act fast at the first sign of gopher or mole activity.

SPRING, THEN EARLY FALL

Fire ants could be dealt with in spring and fall. Fire ants are more active in spring when soil temperatures increase, and then they slow down as summer heat sets in. Once the temperatures drop to moderate levels in the fall, activity peaks. Be aware of the harm they do to lawns and the suffering that these stinging insects cause to wildlife, humans and pets if you live in a fire-ant country. Before fire ants pose a serious threat, act quickly.

SPRING THROUGH SUMMER

As spring becomes summer, ants and other outdoor pests become more active. Pest problems can be caused by warm weather, drought, and changes in your lifestyle, like barbecuing. Before you have problems, make sure your home is protected from ants and other insects.

LATE SPRING THROUGH SUMMER

Watch out for ant trails in your garden and new home as ant activity grows. Use powerful methods to combat ants indoors as well as outdoors. In-ground bait stakes can be used to target outdoor areas. Place bait stations in warm areas behind ovens, refrigerators, and other appliances that emit heat to outsmart indoor insects. Also, place them under sinks or where moisture or wastebaskets can draw ants in.

FALL CLEANUP

Clear away any leaves that may have fallen from your foundation or gutters before the cold weather arrives. Seal any cracks or holes and keep pests out of your home. If necessary, trim tree limbs or shrubs.

Protect your home and family by controlling pests during peak summer and spring seasons. Hire a professional pest control in Myrtle Beach to protect your investment and help you keep out common pests.