Protecting your home or business from pests requires year-round vigilance. Understanding how pests behave and implementing preventative measures for each season can help.
Spring is swarm season for termites, ants and Asian lady beetles, while summer’s heat brings mosquitoes, flies and ticks. Fall is rodent season, as pests seek warmth and food indoors.
Spring
As the weather warms, pests awaken from their winter hiding spots and seek out food, water and shelter. Often, the first signs of a pest infestation are small holes in your home’s exterior and visible droppings on and around your property. The good news is that a little preventive action can go a long way in stopping these unwanted guests before they cause damage.
The best prevention strategy is to clean up your outdoor space. Remove weeds, debris and garbage that can provide nesting sites for rodents and other pests. Also, check for cracks in your foundation or window and door frames and seal these with silicone caulk. Remove standing moisture that can breed mosquitoes and other disease-carrying pests. Inspect bird feeders, ponds, gutters and other items that may be a breeding site for these pesky creatures, says the experts at Toxic Respond.
Rodents and other pests love the warm spring weather and are attracted to spilled food, rotting organic material and unsecured trash containers. To prevent these pests from finding their way indoors, store food in sealed containers and regularly sweep the floors. Also, check for stowaway pests in attics and basements, which can be an easy entry point for rats, cockroaches, ants and stink bugs.
While pests love the fresh greenery of spring, they also enjoy the calm warmth and plentiful sunlight that summer brings. This is why this season is a critical time for pest control. Keep your yard and garden free of pests by repairing fences, creating barriers between your house and the landscape and planting trees and shrubbery several feet away from your home.
Insects that are attracted to ripening fruit, sugary snacks and other sweets can also become a problem in the summer. While these pests are most commonly found in homes, they can also be an issue for restaurants and other businesses that sell or serve food. Prevent these pests by sealing all containers and keeping food in the refrigerator or in tightly closed containers. Also, be sure to check your pantry and refrigerator for spoiled food and dispose of any immediately.
Summer
Summer is when many pests are most active. As the weather warms, they seek out food, shelter, and breeding grounds. They may also be swarming around your home looking for entry points such as open doors and windows or gaps in foundations and frames. Common summer pests include ants, flies, mosquitoes, wasps, and ticks. Mosquitoes are probably the most recognizable pest of all as they cause itchy, painful bites. They breed in standing water such as bird baths, clogged gutters, and even your lawn’s sprinkler systems. Stinging insects like bees, hornets, and yellow jackets are at their most active in the summer as well.
Termites also increase in numbers during the summer as they feast on woody debris and eat their way into homes. Rodents are also very active in the summer as they search for warmth and food. Raccoons can be a particular nuisance this time of year as they rummage through garbage cans and other outdoor storage areas. Bed bugs are a concern during the summer as well because people travel more during vacations and school breaks.
As the weather cools, pests become more dormant. Some, like mice and cockroaches, will seek to overwinter inside your home. You can help prevent pests from entering your home during the winter by sealing any entry points and keeping your living spaces clean.
It may seem as though pests disappear when the weather turns cooler, but they’re simply hiding until warmer temperatures entice them out of their hibernation. Preparing your home for the upcoming season can be done by regularly trimming shrubs and trees and removing fallen branches and leaves. In addition, storing food in airtight containers and keeping garbage cans tightly closed will discourage rodents and other pests. You should also clean up crumbs and spills promptly as well as empty out your garbage cans on a regular basis.
Fall
As the leaves change color and the temperature starts to drop, pests that survived the summer start to seek warmth and shelter. Rodents like mice and rats will look for ways to escape freezing temperatures, while ants and cockroaches will start looking for food. Fortunately, by being proactive about pest prevention in the fall, you can stop these pests from making their way inside your home.
As with the spring, it is important to create barriers between your home and its environment. This is especially true for what our company calls “The Yellow Zone,” which refers to the exterior of your home and the immediate surrounding area. Our Four Seasons program includes a special focus on this zone, ensuring that it is sealed and protected from insects and rodents.
While this may seem obvious, a lot of people don’t realize that their own actions can bring unwanted pests into their homes. When bringing outdoor furniture indoors, or any items stored in attics or garages, be sure to thoroughly inspect them for pest droppings and gnaw marks.
It is also important to clean up leaf litter from around your home, and to keep all garbage cans tightly sealed, as open garbage cans will attract rodents and other pests. Food storage should be kept in airtight containers, and crumbs should be regularly swept up to prevent pests from finding them.
Businesses also need to be extra careful during the fall, as pest infestations can become much more serious than at any other time of year. Pests like rodents and cockroaches can cause health problems for customers, as well as ruin the reputation of a business. Taking steps to avoid pests in the fall will ensure that your business stays free of them throughout the winter.
Lastly, basements, attics, and crawl spaces are dark and moist areas that can be perfect hiding places for pests. It is important to fix any leaks and use dehumidifiers in these areas to prevent moisture accumulation that can lead to pest problems. The key is to prevent pests from gaining access to your living space so they will be forced to find other accommodations in colder weather.
Winter
When the temperature drops, pests like mice, cockroaches, flies, and spiders will move indoors looking for shelter and food. These pests can cause a lot of damage to our homes and businesses. They can also spread diseases, cause health problems, and trigger asthma and allergies. Keeping these pests out can be challenging, but there are things we can do.
It is important to maintain a clean and sanitary home in all seasons. Regularly sweeping and mopping floors, storing food in airtight containers, and disposing of garbage regularly can help prevent unwanted pests from entering your home or business. It is also important to close entry points. Patching up cracks and sealants around doors and windows, repairing and replacing weather stripping, and ensuring that chimney caps are in place can all help keep pests out.
Store firewood away from your house, and be sure to keep stacked wood off the ground. This will deter rodents and insects that might try to nest in the wood, and it will reduce the risk of rotting and termite infestations.
Trash should be removed from the house on a daily basis to prevent flies, roaches, ants, and other pests from gaining access inside your home or business. If you have trash cans outside, make sure they are covered and not overflowing or attracting animals.
Insects and rodents will seek moisture in the winter, so make sure basements, crawl spaces, and attics are well-ventilated and free of standing water. Moisture can also attract flies and roaches, so it is important to remove stagnant water sources from the yard.
While it might seem as though pests “sleep” during the colder months, they are actually hiding and waiting for warmer temperatures to return so they can take advantage of your property. It is important to keep up with routine pest control services during the winter as well, so don’t be lulled into a false sense of security! A good pest control company will be able to provide you with year-round pest control services that focus on the yellow zone, which is the area surrounding your home and the immediate entry point.
