Happy summer, Texans! Welcome to the season of long days, balmy nights, countless poolside hours, family vacations, and… bugs. Yes, as much as we try to ignore and avoid them, we all know that summer, unfortunately, also means bugs. From ants at the picnic to mosquitos by the pool, these vermin will try to wriggle their way into your life this summer. Here are a few tips to keep those pesky pests out of sight:
Prevention is key:
- Make sure your house is sealed up tight: door frames, windows, worn out weather strips, and seemingly tiny cracks are an even tinier bug’s best friend. The good news? There are professional services that can help keep uninvited guests out if you don’t have the time/energy/desire to seal your home yourself.
- A clean home is a happy home. Ensure that you don’t have any food lying around, and clean up spills as soon as possible. Don’t forget the outside of your home, too: clean up any yard work piles or plant debris promptly and make sure to empty recycling and trash bins frequently.
- Have a green thumb? Consider these naturally pest-repelling plants! Sweet basil is great for deterring flies, rosemary can fend off mosquitos, and chrysanthemums repel roaches (my personal arch-nemesis). Take a quick search and you’ll find that there are tons of herbs, flowers, and even carnivorous plants that can help repel (or ingest) unwanted pests.
…but sometimes action is needed:
- Investing in sprays can be helpful if you’re looking to kill a couple bugs here and there. Brands like Terro and Raid sell sprays that can kill spiders, roaches, ants, or wasps on contact. Just make sure that you’re spraying the right bugs with the right spray. For example, bees do not die from wasp killer. They just get angry.
- If sprays aren’t your cup of tea, consider alternatives like glue traps, boric acid (poisonous to insects but less toxic than pesticides), or diatomaceous earth (which dries out bugs with exoskeletons).
- If all else fails, there is no shame in calling for backup.If you’ve exhausted all other forms of prevention and action, or you just are tired of dealing with the pests yourself, an exterminator is your best friend.
With a mild winter brings a hot summer where insects come out in full force. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to suffer! Employ the tips we’ve provided here and summer can resume being the fun and relaxing season it’s meant to be.
Understanding Common Household Pests
Household pests are a big problem. They can damage our homes and make us sick. It’s vital to know the different pests, the illnesses they can bring, and how to spot them.
Types of Pests
Common pests are ants, termites, flies, rodents, mosquitoes, and more. In Louisville, KY, you’ll also find centipedes, millipedes, and others. Ants love sugary food the most. Cockroaches breed fast and adapt easily, thriving in unclean homes. Spiders are common in messy areas like basements.
Health Risks Associated with Pests
Pests can spread many diseases. Cockroaches, for instance, carry harmful bacteria and viruses. Flies can make us sick by landing on our food or items. Bed bugs cause painful, itchy bites and disturb our sleep. Mosquitoes are not just annoying but also spread diseases like Zika, thriving near standing water.
Keeping our homes clean and pest-free is critical for our health.
Signs of Pest Infestations
Spotting pests early can prevent a lot of trouble. Look out for droppings or any damaged items. Hearing strange noises or seeing the pests themselves are clear signs too. In summer, 65% of homes face ant problems. Buying used furniture can increase the risk of bed bugs by 45%.
Knowing these signs means you can protect your home in time.
Effective Bug Proofing Techniques for Your Home
Pest prevention is key to a clean and healthy living space. Proper bug-proofing stops bugs from coming in. This ensures ongoing comfort and safety at home. We will explore key ways to make your house a no-go zone for bugs.
Sealing Cracks and Crevices
Sealing cracks and crevices is a top method to keep bugs out. About 60% of pests come from outside, so blocking their entry is vital. Use caulk or foam to close gaps around windows and doors. Do the same for utility penetrations. This keeps bugs away. Also, adding wire mesh in crawl spaces helps a lot. Be sure to check and fix these spots often to keep your home pest-free.
Installing Weatherstripping
Putting weatherstripping on doors and windows helps greatly. It closes off spaces bugs could use to get inside. It also makes your HVAC system work better. Door sweeps and thresholds at the bottom of doors are good to keep pests out. Also, use 20-mesh screen on windows and doors. This stops mosquitoes, fleas, and more from coming inside.
Using Pest Traps
Using pest traps is a smart start for home pest control. There are traps for all kinds of pests. This helps keep the bug numbers down. Remember to clear away yard debris like junk and old wood. This helps make sure the traps work well. Keeping your home pest-proof in these ways can save you money in the future.
By applying these strategies, you can make sure your home remains pest-free. This leads to a cleaner and safer place to live.
| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Sealing Cracks and Crevices | Using caulk or foam to seal gaps around windows, doors, and utility penetrations |
| Installing Weatherstripping | Enhancing HVAC performance and blocking pests with weatherstripping on doors and windows |
| Using Pest Traps | Employing traps tailored to specific pests as a frontline defense in pest prevention |
Seasonal Pest Control Tips
Pest control should be all year long. Every season has its own pest challenges. Knowing when pests are most active is key to keeping your home safe.
Spring Pest Prevention
In spring, pests like ants, termites, and mosquitoes come out. This happens a lot in places like Savannah, GA. You’ll see more ants looking for food during this time.
Keep your house safe by sealing up any holes or cracks. This keeps out spiders and ants. Use Amdro Quick Kill Ant & Spider Killer to stop ants from taking over your kitchen.
Summer Pest Management
Summer brings more mosquitoes, flies, and ticks. Getting rid of trash and any standing water helps a lot. With the warm weather, ants can quickly become a big problem.
Stay alert and use products like Amdro Fire Ant Killer. Being proactive is key during these months.
Fall Pest-Proofing
As the weather cools, mice and spiders look for warmth in your home. Mice can get in through tiny openings, so seal everything up. Early fall also sees more stink bugs and beetles, so boost your defenses.
Cleaning up well in the fall stops pests from staying in your home for the winter.
Winter Pest Outlook
Winter means indoor pests like rats and mice are a bigger problem. Bed bugs are also more active. Keep them out by sealing windows and checking chimneys.
Regular checks and getting professional pest control are smart moves. They help you live worry-free during winter.
Managing pests throughout the year keeps your home safe. With regular pest care, you prevent health risks and home damage.
