KEEP SUMMER PESTS OUT WITH THESE 4 EASY TIPS!
Summer, undoubtedly, brings a lot of fun, but it brings with it a number of pests like flies, mosquitoes, termites, roaches, and clothes moths too. While these pesky little creatures are certainly a nuisance, they also pose significant health risks to you and your loved ones.
Don't let summer pests worry you this season though; read on for some simple tips that will help you keep the bugs away from your house and yard!
KEEP THE YARD MAINTAINED
Maintaining the yard and landscaping the garden smartly can steer pests away from your home and prevent infestations.
- Keep plants about 1-2 feet away from the house so that insects and rodents don't get a chance to dart in through open doors.
- For the same reason, ensure that mulch is at a safe distance from your house (about 18 inches) and is lined with a border of gravel. Also, don't have mulch run inches deep as it is a comfortable nesting area for various pests.
- Refrain from over-fertilizing as it can attract pests. Heavy sod can encourage mold and moss growth too, which are excellent breeding grounds for pests.
- Keep grass cut short so that pests are unable to hide.
- If you have fruit trees, clean up after them regIf you leave doors and windows open, fit them with screens. Also check existing screens for tears and window and door frames for cracks.ularly as rotting fruit can attract pests like flies and ants.
- Know what you're growing so you don't end up planting anything that can attract pests. Note that not all plants pose a direct problem; for example, certain bushes attract aphids, which aren't troublesome. However, aphids are a food source for ants, and this can lead to an ant infestation.
- Weed out the garden regularly, especially around and along the exterior walls of your house.
- Clean the gutters and make sure that downspouts are pointing away from the house.
- Clean pools, ponds, or other water bodies, bird baths, and flower pots regularly. Discard standing water every 2-3 days and use a fountain to circulate water. Eliminate areas in your yard where water can pool and become stagnant.
- Frequently inspect outdoor furniture, playsets, swings, etc. for spider webs and egg sacks, termites, and other pests.
BLOCK PEST ENTRYWAYS
The most effective way to keep pests from taking over your house is to block their entry. Here's how you can do that:
- Evaluate the exterior of your house and look for holes and openings. You might not be able to see small holes or fine cracks, so see if there's light coming through or if you can feel air movement in such places. Seal all such openings to keep pests out.
- If you leave doors and windows open, fit them with screens. Also check existing screens for tears and window and door frames for cracks.
- Seal utility openings for pipes and wires using cement, caulk, urethane foam, copper mesh or steel wool.
- Give the exterior of the house a fresh coat of paint. Consider applying a barrier treatment with insecticides to deter pests.
DON'T BRING PESTS IN
It is possible to bring pests inside the house unknowingly. Here are some tips to help you avoid that!
- Store firewood outside the house and as far away as possible. If you have a shed outside, store it away from the shed too. Additionally, stack firewood in a rack above the ground. When bringing firewood in, always put it right in the fireplace, making sure to not touch any surface or object inside the house with it.
- Keep outside and inside toys and furniture items separate. If you must bring in a toy or piece of furniture that is meant to be used outside the house, wash or wipe it thoroughly first.
- When going on a vacation, check the hotel room you're staying in for bedbugs, mites, fleas and ticks. Don't leave your luggage open in the room during your stay.
PREVENT PESTS FROM MULTIPLYING
Take these steps to prevent pests from multiplying inside your house.
- In case of an infestation, identify pests so you can take the right steps to eliminate them.
- Keep fruit flies at bay by keeping ripe fruits and veggies covered. Store overripe produce in the fridge, consume it, or discard properly.
- Keep garbage bins covered tightly and empty them every day.
- Throw meat scraps in the outside bin only if you know that garbage will be collected in the next 24-48 hours. That's because rotting meat combined with the summer sun can bring unwanted pests to your property.
- Don't leave pet food out for long periods of time; if your pet doesn't eat right away, keep it covered and refrigerated or discard it after a while.
- Clean up spills and sweep floors and wipe the kitchen counter and dining table immediately if you've dropped any crumbs. Leaving crumbs behind can invite ants, cockroaches and other insects to feast on them and make your home theirs!
- Always wash clothes before putting them away for long-term storage so as to prevent damage from pests like clothes moths. Further to this, clean wardrobe surfaces with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water to keep these critters out; wipe down clothes hangers as well. Using cedar balls, blocks, hangers or sachets can also help prevent moth infestation.
- Dust surfaces regularly, thus discouraging pests from making permanent homes in nook and crannies.
CONCLUSION
If you've always dreaded dealing with summer pests, you now know that driving them out of your house and keeping them away is possible and easy. So get started on implementing the tips here and enjoy a pest-free summer this year!