What to check, fix, and schedule to stay pest-free year-round
When was the last time you checked your home for pests? Most pest infestations start slowly, without any noticeable signs. Small cracks in your home’s foundation, hidden moisture, and accumulated clutter provide all the protection pests need to move into your home long before you realize it. Use this pest control checklist each season to identify potential problems early and keep your house pest free all year long.
Inspect Exterior Entry Points
Pay close attention to areas around your house that pests can use as entryways. Start by checking exterior walls, foundation, windows, and doors for small cracks or openings.
Inspect weatherstripping around doors and replace worn seals that allow insects or rodents to get inside. Look for tears in window screens and ensure vents have protective covering with mesh that pests can’t chew through.
Take extra care where utilities and pipes enter your home. Ants, mice, and cockroaches frequently exploit these areas to get inside.
Many pests are drawn to moisture inside homes. Take a walk through your house and identify sources of leaks under sinks, appliances, or inside cabinets where water lines are located.
Basements, crawlspaces, and attics should also be checked for any damp spots or standing water. Pay attention to outside drainage and gutter systems that may be clogged or allow rainwater to collect.
Run dehumidifiers and fix leaky pipes or appliances to prevent moisture problems.
Clean Kitchens and Pantries Thoroughly
Food residue will attract pests and allow them to continue reproducing once inside your home. Wipe down kitchen counters often, sweep up food crumbs, and store flour or grains in sealed containers.
Secure your trash can with a tight fitting lid and dispose of garbage frequently. Don’t leave pet food bowls out overnight as ants and rodents are attracted to pet food.
Even small stains left by sticky drinks or spilled food can support pests.
Declutter Your Storage Areas
Look for cluttered areas of your home filled with boxes, old papers, or rarely used items. These spaces provide convenient nesting areas for pests.
Eliminate clutter in your garage, basement, closets, and attic space. Try to keep stored items off the ground and avoid stacking boxes directly against walls.
Don’t forget to clean behind and under appliances and furniture where pests like to hide.
Inspect Your Yard and Gardens
Don’t forget about the outside of your home either. Insects and rodents can quickly enter your home by climbing up around doorways if tree branches or bushes are touching your house.
Stack firewood neatly and keep it off the ground away from home exterior walls. Eliminate standing water from puddles, buckets, trash cans, planters, and clogged gutters.
Roofs, fences, sheds, and deck structures should also be monitored for pest nests or damage.
Read More: Do It Yourself Pest Control
If pests have already become active in or around your home, routine inspection can help you identify their presence sooner. Check for:
You may also become aware of pests inside your home if you notice insects during daylight hours. Roaches, ants, and other insects are typically more active outside, so seeing them in your house could indicate a larger problem.
Take Action Quickly
The key to successful pest control is consistent home maintenance and quickly addressing problem areas. Make it a habit to include these tasks into your seasonal cleaning routine.
Different pests will become more active during different times of the year. Take advantage of seasons when pest pressures are lower to perform detailed inspections and maintenance.
Ants and termites are especially common in the spring. Mosquitoes and wasps increase during summer months. Rodents seek inside homes when it starts to cool off in fall. While winter typically slows pest activity, established infestations may continue throughout the year in your home.
Contact a Professional Pest Control Service
Routine maintenance may not always prevent every pest problem. Give pest control services a call if you continue to experience issues or notice:
Vinx Pest Control can inspect your entire property to uncover hidden problems. If pests have already moved inside your home, our local pest control technicians can provide professional treatments to help stop infestations. Combined with your regular DIY prevention, professional pest control services keep your home pest free year after year.
Make it a Habit
Pests don’t discriminate between homes that are dirty and homes that are clean. Unfortunately, no house is immune to pest problems either. But, by performing regular inspections and taking quick action you can greatly reduce your chances of a serious infestation.
Don’t wait until you see pests to start protecting your home. Regularly running through this pest control checklist is the best way to identify potential problems before they become large infestations.
Author Bio: Guest contributor Samantha Wilson is a Marketing Manager at Vinx Pest Control . Vinx Pest Control provides pest control services throughout Ohio helping homeowners protect homes and businesses from pest problems.
Q. What signs do pests leave behind?
A. Many pests leave droppings, grease trails, gnaw marks, damaged wood, and freaky smells. You may also hear scratching in walls and ceilings.
Q. What causes pest infestations?
A. It depends on the pest, but most pests enter homes through small openings they can crawl through. Gardens, pet food, clutter, and kitchens are common attractants.
Q. Should I clean my house to get rid of pests?
A. While cleaning helps, it does not guarantee your home will stay pest-free. Regular maintenance and inspections are required to prevent pests.
Q. When should I call professional pest control?
A. If pests continue to be a problem or you see signs of pests inside walls, closets, or electrical outlets, it’s time to call a professional pest control company.
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