Spring is a great time to refresh and organize your space. Having a clean home is nice, but cleaning can also help to keep bugs away. Cleaning will remove attractants that make your home welcoming to bugs. If you can remove attractants, you can avoid a pest problem. Check out a few spring-cleaning tips to help prevent pests.
Clean Your Kitchen
The kitchen is considered the heart of the home, so it’s not surprising that people spend so much time there. Unfortunately, bugs take advantage of this and the meals shared in the kitchen. Removing potential food sources can help to keep ants and other pests away.
- Clean up crumbs and spills.
- Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink.
- Pull out your broom and mop to give the floors a thorough clean.
- Wipe down counter tops, cabinet door handles, and appliances.
- Organize your pantry, storing food in sealed containers.
Clean Your Bathroom
Your bathroom may not be fun to clean, but you don’t want to ignore it. Cockroaches and other bugs love moisture, and your bathroom checks that box. Minimizing moisture and keeping things clean can help to deter pests.
- Run your faucet to ensure water isn’t seeping out of the pipes, and tighten any loose spots you find.
- Give your shower and bathtub a good scrub.
- Don’t forget to wash the shower curtain.
- Wipe down counters, faucet handles, and the doorknob.
- Sweep and mop your floors.
Clean Your Living Room
You’ll also want to spend some time cleaning your living room. Crumbs can get left behind on your sofa, and many bugs like to hide in and under furniture.
- Sweep and mop to make sure there’s nothing for bugs to nibble on.
- Vacuum your carpet and rug.
- If you have blankets on your sofa or your pet has any bedding, throw them in the washer.
- Vacuum upholstered furniture where pests like bed bugs and fleas can hide.
- Wipe down your remote and coffee table to remove any sticky residues.
Clean Your Basement
Basements are the perfect place to store things, but clutter is just what bugs want. Organizing your things can help minimize hiding spots for pests.
- Go through your things to see what you would like to keep or what you would be willing to let go.
- Place your items in sealed containers, preferably plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes. Cockroaches and silverfish hide in boxes and can eat them.
- Dust or vacuum to remove spider webs.
- Pests often sneak inside through cracks in the foundation, so check for and seal potential entry points.
Clean Your Backyard
Before bugs end up in your home, they usually invade your yard first. Taking care of your outdoor space can make your yard unwelcoming to pests.
- Make sure your gutters are clean and working properly.
- Minimize standing water in your yard that can act as a breeding spot for mosquitoes.
- Examine your screens for tears, and repair any you find to prevent bugs from slipping inside.
- Trim back bushes and tree branches so they aren’t touching your house. Bugs can use these to enter your home.
- Mow your lawn regularly, and remove debris including grass clippings, brush, and leaves.
- Wash out your trash cans to remove any food residue.
Cleaning isn’t typically what people choose to do for fun. However, it can help to protect your home from bugs. Taking the time to bug-proof your space can save you the headache of an infestation. If you’re dealing with a pest problem, we have your back! For a more environmentally and family-friendly solution, check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.