Can you believe we are already in the last few months of this calendar year? Each season of the year brings its own set of traditions and experiences, and the end of the calendar year often becomes a time when people open their homes to family and friends. From Halloween parties to New Year’s Eve gatherings, our clients want clean, pest-free homes this time of year to comfortably and confidently fill their homes with guests.
Maintaining a healthy home is essential all year long, but the excitement of the coming season makes it feel especially important this time of year. Below is a list of four things you can easily do to keep your home pest free now and throughout the year.
1. Maintain The Outside Areas
It might surprise you that we start this list outside the home. Often the pests you see crawling around your house in the middle of the night are just a symptom of a bigger problem that starts outside. The state of Florida is the ideal hot, damp habitat for most pests. And since we can’t change that fact, we, as Florida homeowners, must learn to live with it. If you’re noticing an uptick in pest activity inside your home, there is certainly increased pest activity outside your home. Step outside and notice the areas of your yard that need maintenance, not just for appearances but because those poorly maintained areas may also invite unwanted pests into your home. Are there spots in your yard that collect water or don’t get enough sun to dry out? All that moisture may be contributing to your pest issues. Do you notice areas where trees have dropped their leaves? If those leaves aren’t cleared, they become a nice, safe blanket where unwanted pests can live out their days comfortably. Start outside if you want to understand the pest problem you have inside your home.
2. Keep Food Contained
When pests come into your home, they search for food and shelter. If you want to limit the number of pests attempting to enter your home, limit their access to food. You probably already do an excellent job cleaning up your kitchen, but you might be surprised at the things attracting pests to your home. Bugs can smell open pet food containers, decaying fruit on the counter, and even an overloaded trash can from a mile away. Find ways to contain food (human or pet) to keep pests at bay. If you have kids in the house that may include rules about where in the home food is allowed, it’s not uncommon to find food wrappers or used dishes that become a beacon for bugs. To reduce bugs, reduce their temptation to enter your home.
3. Close Off The Entrances
You’d be surprised how easily unwanted pests can wiggle their way into your home. You don’t need a gaping hole in your exterior to unknowingly invite pests inside. Investigating your exterior is a great way to determine how pests are gaining entrance to your home. Can you see pests moving along your home’s exterior? Can you see areas of damage where a pest might gain access? Additionally, remember that most bugs are drawn to warm, damp places. Bearing that in mind, you’re most likely to see pests drawn to areas like the kitchen and bathroom where leaking water might be present.
4. Regular Pest Control
Keeping your home safe and free of pests is a group effort and requires a good partnership between a homeowner and their reputable pest control company. Unlike some services where you only see a technician when you have a problem, pest control done right is a regular and ongoing relationship. If you wait to call your pest control company when the pests have already invaded your home, you’re missing a big opportunity to get the problem under control. Get ahead of your pest problem by investing in a long-term relationship with a company you can trust.
Whether preparing your home to entertain or just making a home for your family, remember that keeping your home clean and safe is just as important to us as it is to you. When it comes to eliminating pests, the best thing you can do is partner with an experienced pest control company you trust and invest in consistent care. Contact our office today for more information about how our team can help you.
