With summer just around the corner, many people are looking forward to having some fun under the sun. Even as the idea of having some surf and sand is appealing to many people, the season also brings bugs out of their hibernation during the colder months of the year.
In this situation, you have some work to do to keep your home free of pests once the hottest season of the year comes. Here are the things that you can do to keep your home neat and tidy.
Be Observant
Pests, such as mice, normally spend their winter hiding in their nests inside the house. When the warmer months come, you should watch out for telltale signs of infestation. These signs include droppings, chewing on food packaging, and chewed holes on the walls. Additionally, you should look for signs of other pests in the home before summer comes so you can deal with them immediately.
Seal Cracks and Holes
Pests normally enter the house through cracks and small holes on the wall. To prevent this, you should seal these cracks and holes before they get the chance to go into your home. You can caulk the areas around the window frames and install mesh screens on the windows.
You should also repair any gaps you can find in the dryer vents, air conditioners, and pipes. Using steel wool to seal gaps and cracks in the baseboards and walls is ideal for jeep mice out. The material is too hard for these pests to chew on.
Remove Stagnant Water
One way to control the mosquito population on your property is to remove any stagnant water you find in the area. Stagnant or standing water is an ideal breeding ground for these pests. So, you should check buckets and flower pots around the house after it rains. You should make sure to empty them as soon as possible.
Additionally, you should look for areas in the house that are prone to pooling or flooding. You can fill these areas with soil to prevent water from accumulating. Getting pumps to remove huge pools of stagnant water is also a good idea.
Use Your Garden
Growing strong-smelling plants is another way for you to keep pests away from your home. These natural methods of warding off pests also give you a fresh supply of herbs that you can use for your dishes. These plants give off strong scents that pests do not like.
Some plants you can have in your garden are garlic, lemongrass, basil, mint, and rosemary. These herbs are not only good at keeping pests away, but they also make your dishes taste good. You can also plant petunias and marigolds in the garden.
Many of these plants can grow the whole year-round, which means you can keep pests away for the whole year. But make sure to take care of them so that they will also take care of you and your family.
Cut the Grass
You may have left the grass to grow during spring. While you may like the idea of a good amount of grass on your lawn, it also gives pests a place to hide. To prevent this, you should make sure to keep the grass short. You can mow the lawn yourself or hire someone who can do it for you.
Elevate the Firewood
Having a ready supply of firewood in the property may have been a great idea during winter, but they can serve as the food supply for termites and carpenter ants. Keeping firewood away from the house is a good way to prevent termites from entering the house.
Additionally, you should also keep them away from the ground and keep them covered. Doing this prevents pests from finding them. If you want to use the firewood, you should follow the first-in-first-out principle or use the older firewood first. Limit the firewood you bring into the home to the amount you need for the moment.
Trim the Trees
Trimming the trees and shrubs is a good idea if you want to prevent pests from entering your home. This is particularly true for branches that touch the house. You should prevent them from getting too close to the house since it makes it easy for pests to enter the home.
Trim any trees or shrubs that are too close for comfort. Keep branches and shrubs at least one foot away from your home. You can either trim the trees and shrubs yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.
You may be looking forward to summer due to the fun you can have under the sun. But you should also make sure to look out for pests that normally come out during summer.
