Steps To Take In The Spring To Keep Critters At Bay
With spring in full swing, now's the time to think about bug and pest control. Ants, bees, termites and other critters are getting ready to invade your space and create a large family of their own. If you notice a bug problem, the best solution is to call a pest professional to come out right away and eradicate the issue. But, to prevent an infestation or to keep the creepy crawlies at bay, there are a few preventative measures that you can take.
Haul Away Yard Debris
Did you tidy up your yard last winter before the frost set in? If there are still a lot of leaves, tree branches, and old compost piles in your yard, it's best to haul it away before the weather gets warm.
In the spring, certain insects, including wasps, can be drawn to certain areas where there's a lot of plant growth. Wasps use plant material to build their nests. Plus, certain limbs that may bud in the spring are attractive to flying insects. Therefore, eliminating fallen branches and trimming flowering bushes can keep certain flying insects away.
Snakes also gravitate toward brush piles. They find shelter under wood piles and brush to help start their family. If you don't clear these piles away, before you know it, you may have more than one slithering intruder invading your backyard.
Outbuilding Cleanup
While cleaning up your barn, garage, or outbuilding may be on your spring to-do list, now is the time to get rid of extra items you don't need. This includes things such as:
- Drywall
- Wall boards
- Old firewood
- Used furniture
- Cardboard boxes
All of these items can be a safe harbor for spiders and ants to multiply by the thousands. The result can be an infestation that can be difficult to treat with sprays and traps from your local hardware store.
When cleaning out a dark, isolated space, be on the lookout for black widow or brown recluse spiders, which are particularly dangerous. Call a pro if you notice an overabundance of crawling insects.
Eliminate Junk
Bags of trash or piles of recycled materials can easily pile up if not removed right away. Rats, mice, raccoons, opossums, and squirrels can be more attracted to your yard area if you have a lot of waste present. Take advantage of community garbage days and have your junk piles and excess trash eliminated from your yard as soon as possible.
Remove Standing Water Sources
Are your gutters overflowing? Do you have a lot of standing water outside your home? This could be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies. Mosquitoes can carry certain diseases, according to American Mosquito Control Association, and they're troublesome if they are not kept under control. In addition, house flies can become a real problem, since they multiply quickly and enjoy wet, dark environments. Clean out your gutters and try to irrigate areas in which there's a lot of standing water in or around your property.
At the first sign of an infestation of any kind, contact a pest control company such as Environmental Pest Control. The result will leave you with fewer bugs and crawling creatures and more peace of mind.
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