Warmer weather means fun in the sun – but it also means an increase in pests and rodents on your property. They’re looking for food and moisture in your home, and they’ll find it if you’re not taking steps to keep them away.

Turn Off the “Open” Sign 

Think about even the smallest pests in your home, like ants or clover mites. It doesn’t take much space for them to get inside your house. Larger gaps can let in disease-carrying rodents and stinging insects. Thoroughly inspect the outside of your home, especially around doors and windows; you may need to use caulk or weatherstripping to seal up any holes. Replace damaged window screens and exterior storm doors that may not close fully and securely.

Clean Up Your Act

Everyone in your family knows that the kitchen is the place to go for something to eat and drink, and so do pests. The crumbs from breakfast or the spills your kids forgot to clean up are like a buffet for bugs looking for their next meal. Make it a daily habit to clean your kitchen, wipe up any moisture, and take out the trash regularly. Store your food in bags and containers that can be fully closed, including pet food. Don’t overlook keeping your bathrooms clean and dry also.

Dry It Out

We’re already starting to spend more time outside entertaining and enjoying the weather, so make sure mosquitoes don’t crash the party. Female mosquitos love standing water because it’s the perfect place to lay their eggs. Check your yard for water pools that collect in the ground, patio furniture, playground equipment, or around outbuildings or decks. Flower pots and gardening tools (like wheelbarrows) must also be emptied of excess water.

Let Loose On the Lawn

Although not everyone wants to spend their weekends taking care of the yard, a little landscaping goes a long way to keep pests at bay. Tall grass, overgrown shrubs, and wildflowers that have gone rampant create the perfect shelter for pests, especially when they don’t have to travel far to get into your home and reach food and water. Regular mowing and a little TLC to your flower beds and bushes will make your yard a little less hospitable.

Look for Obvious Suspects

Some pests stick around the Greater St. Louis area all year, but some show up on a seasonal basis. Knowing what to watch out for will give you a better idea of how to protect your home from infestation.

Ants are common in most parts of the country, but you’ll see them more often after the rainy season. During extended periods of moisture, ants have to come out from the saturated underground to survive. Once they’ve made it into your home, they can find almost anything to eat along with several water sources like your kitchen or bathroom. Who would want to leave that to go back to the soggy ground?

There’s nothing worse than spending a lovely evening around the firepit only to come inside and start itching, but sometimes sprays, lotions, and candles don’t work to keep these bugs at bay, and we get bitten. While they’re annoying at the least, mosquitoes are also known for carrying harmful diseases that can make your family and even pets sick.

As you and your pets spend more time outdoors, it’s important to understand why you need to protect everyone. The most common tick-borne illnesses in the St. Louis area are Ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Always cover as much of your skin as possible when trekking outdoors and make sure your pets are up to date on their tick treatments.

Partner With PestShield Professionals

The best way to help control pests in your home is by working with a professional pest control team. From start to finish, they’ll be able to identify any areas around and in your home that may make it vulnerable to infestation. The professionals can also offer more actionable advice and suggest treatments that are best for your property. 

We can treat the pests already living in and around your home and implement ways to prevent them from coming back. Our regular maintenance services mean your home and your family will be in good hands! Get in touch today to schedule an appointment!