As spring quickly approaches, bugs are preparing to leave their hiding spots. Implementing preventative measures early can help you avoid a pest infestation. We’ve made a list of things you can to do to bug-proof your home this spring.
Seal Entry Points
Keeping pests out of your house begins with sealing potential entry points.
- Repair Holes: Check the interior and exterior of your home for cracks or holes. Seal any you find with caulk or steel wool.
- Check the Roof: A damaged roof can make it easy for bugs to slip into your home. Repair holes in the roof before pests emerge in spring.
- Check Screens & Weather Stripping: Repair or replace window and doors screens that are torn or damaged. Weather stripping wears down over time and may need to be replaced.
Clean Up Your Yard
Before bugs enter your home, they’ll spend time in your yard. Cleaning your outdoor space will help to keep pests from coming inside.
- Remove Yard Debris: Bugs love to hide in things like leaves, dead plants, tree branches, and rotting wood. Remove these from your yard to eliminate potential sheltering spots.
- Mow Your Lawn: Many pests, like fleas and ticks, prefer areas with tall grass. Regularly mow your lawn to deter bug activity.
- Trim Vegetation: Trimming your shrubs and plants can help prevent pests. Make sure vegetation isn’t touching the side of your home. This will make it harder for bugs to walk into your home. It will also make it easier to spot stinging insect nests.
- Properly Store Wood: If you keep firewood in your yard, you’ll want to store it away from your home. It’s best to keep it off the ground and at least 20 feet away from your house.
Create a Protective Barrier
After cleaning your yard, you can apply a plant-based insecticide spray. Our Yard Bug Spray kills pests on contact and provides residual repellency. These residual properties act as a protective barrier helping to deter pests. Spray the perimeter of your yard and house to keep spring pests in check. You can also spray common entry points with our Home Bug Spray to deter bugs from sneaking inside.
Remove Food Sources
When pests, like ants, emerge in spring, they’re hungry. They enter homes seeking food, which is why it’s important to remove any food sources.
- Clean Up Crumbs & Spills: Those little crumbs can provide a meal to a hungry bug. Sweep up crumbs and wipe up any spills. Make sure there’s no sticky residue left behind.
- Store Food in Containers: Pests can chew through food packages. Transferring your pantry ingredients into glass jars with lids can help prevent bugs from sneaking inside.
- Remove Trash: Remove trash from your home regularly. Make sure your bins aren’t overfilled and ensure lids fit tightly.
- Wash Dishes: Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink. The food residue will quickly attract bugs to your home.
- Pick Up Pet Food: Your pet’s food can be a tasty snack for pests. Pick up their food when they aren’t eating. Store their dry food in a sealed container.
Minimize Moisture
Bugs need moisture to survive and will actively seek areas with it. Minimizing moisture in your yard and home is key to keeping pests away.
- Remove Standing Water: Examine your yard for standing water. If you dealt with a lot of snow over winter, it could leave your lawn saturated. Remove items that collect water including flowerpots and toys.
- Clean Your Gutters: Make sure your gutters are clean and working properly. Clogged gutters provide bugs with moisture and shelter.
- Don’t Overwater Plants: Pay attention to how much water you are giving your plants. Not only will this keep your plants healthy, it can also prevent a pest infestation.
- Repair Leaky Pipes: Check for any leaky pipes or faucets in your house. Repair or replace these to prevent moisture build-up.
- Use a Fan or Dehumidifier: Some areas of your home, including basements and garages, may be damp. You can use a dehumidifier or fan to help minimize moisture.
Keep Your Home Clean
Regularly cleaning your house can help to minimize pest activity.
- Declutter: Clutter can provide bugs with hiding spots. Store your items in plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes to keep pests out of them. When possible, keep these off the floor.
- Vacuum, Sweep, & Mop: Vacuuming and sweeping can help to remove food sources as well as bugs and their eggs. Mopping can help ensure there aren’t sticky spots that could attract bugs.
- Clean Counters & Cabinets: Take the time to wipe down your kitchen counters, food preparation surfaces, and cabinets. You don’t want to leave behind crumbs.
It’s never too early to start pest-proofing your home. If spring pests are bugging you, we’re here to help! For a more environmentally and family-friendly solution, check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.