As we head into the springtime, the weather is starting to heat up. During season changes like the spring and fall, we get all kinds of calls from homeowners about seeing pests literally “come out of the woodwork.” If you want to keep your home from becoming a bug & breakfast establishment, here are some tips you can try to limit them from making their way indoors. But remember – although these tips will help, they are no substitute for using our Charleston pest control services!

Put Food in Plastic Containers

If there is one beacon for pests of all types, it is food! If you have a pantry where you store your nonperishable food, it is like an all-night eatery for pests looking to wait out the hot weather. The best way to handle a pest problem is to stop it from becoming a problem in the first place. Always put food in plastic containers that can’t be eaten through. Even if you haven’t opened a box, that doesn’t mean that pests can’t get in. One thing that most homeowners forget is pet food. Yes, pests even like your pet food; pantry moths are most attracted to it, and once they make their way in, it is a mess to clean up!

Move Food Away from the House

Most of us put our food containers next to the house to make things convenient when we want to take out the trash. The problem? We are inviting pests to come close to home. Once they find their way in, guess what they see? An oasis of cool air in front of them. Make sure to move trash cans and containers a fair distance from your home, and always put lids on them. Lids not only keep out raccoons; they keep out all types of pesky critters!

Clean Your Gutters

Cleaning your gutters is something that you should do for home maintenance, but it is also something to consider for pest control purposes. All that dirt and debris that builds up has rich bacteria and food sources for pests to find a home. It is important to ensure that you don’t leave any stone unturned or gutter uncleaned in all seasons, but especially in the springtime!

Shore Up Holes

Although things like wasps and American bees typically become more of a problem in summer, if you are going to take preventative methods for pests, don’t forget the stinging ones. Your porch’s knotty pine boards are like heaven for a nest, and that swingset left dormant throughout the fall and winter months – yes, there is a haven there, too! It is a good idea to look high and low to find the places where pests can find refuge, make nests, and start a family inside your family’s home!

As we head into springtime, a lot of creepy crawlers will attempt to make your home a bug and breakfast. It is always better to prevent a pest problem than to clean up after an infestation. This spring, try these quick and easy tips to reduce your insect and pest problems around the house. But even with all of your efforts, you can’t beat our Charleston pest control service when it comes to keeping pests at bay. Schedule your treatment today!