Everyone always seems exceptionally ready for the cold weather to move out and warm weather to move in. However, most forget that we aren’t the only ones excited to escape hiding from the cold winter: pests are, too. Luckily, the tradition of spring cleaning can double as a pest prevention system to keep unwanted critters away from your home.

Here are some spring cleaning tips to help prevent pests from ruining your spring!

Deep Clean Your Kitchen

Start your spring cleaning in the kitchen! The kitchen is one of the main areas where bugs will lurk inside the house. They are attracted to food sources and scraps, making the kitchen a critter’s dream.

A deep kitchen clean will help prevent bugs and rodents from gathering. By scrubbing your countertops, sweeping floors, wiping down cabinets and shelves, and taking the trash out often, you can prevent messes that ants, cockroaches, and pantry pests are attracted to.

Inspect and Seal Any Entry Ways

Always search for spots where bugs might enter or exit your house, including doors, windows, pipes, screens, attics, patio doors, and pipes. These all could have small holes where the bugs go in and out; sealing these entry points with caulk or weather stripping, you can keep any unwanted “guests” out.

When using caulk, ensure you are using good-quality silicone or acrylic latex. Additionally, sealing any of these entry points will prevent a buildup of moisture (another factor that attracts pests).

Declutter Your Home

Decluttering your home is not just a way to feel lighter in spring; you’re also taking away places for pests to hide. Places like basements, attics, closets, garages, and other storage areas are great for bugs to live in, especially if they have items to shelter in or under.

Cleaning and decluttering these places helps eliminate places where bugs can live. Creating an organizational system can also prevent your things from turning into a jumbled mess.

Inspect and Clean Your Kitchen Appliances

As stated earlier, bugs are attracted to food sources and find them anywhere in the kitchen. Appliances like your fridge, freezer, stove, air fryer, and microwave risk leaving crumbs and spills behind. Thoroughly cleaning these appliances inside and outside can help eliminate anything left behind to attract bugs. Pull the appliances away from the wall to get any messes under or behind.

Check Sources of Moisture

Moisture attracts pests like cockroaches, silverfish, and mold. Failure to fix everything properly can result in damage to your home. Check and repair any leaks in plumbing fixtures, repair damaged seals around windows and doors, and use a dehumidifier in damp areas like basements and crawl spaces to reduce moisture levels. Double-checking under your sinks can help prevent long-term damage if there is a leak, preventing pests from building up (and saving you from a costly repair bill).

Clean Outdoor Areas and Store Firewood Properly

While you can’t eliminate pests from outside, there are ways to clean and organize to keep them away from your home. Decks, porches, and patios are a great starting point; sweep away debris, trim back vegetation, and remove standing water to eliminate potential breeding sites for mosquitoes and other critters.

If you store firewood, keep it at least 20 feet away from your home and off the ground to prevent pests like termites, ants, and rodents from nesting in it and potentially moving into your home. Removing debris around your firewood will also help keep them away from the wood and prevent them from entering your home.

Call Pest Shield Today

Keeping up with spring cleaning in and around your home is crucial to keeping unwanted pests at bay. By being proactive and following these spring cleaning tips, you can stop the problem before it happens. As always, call a professional when you see something concerning; preventing the infestation from getting any worse is crucial.

PestShield is committed to keeping our customers’ homes safe and pest-free year-round. Whether you have our in-wall pest control system installed or require traditional pest control treatments, our expert team will help eliminate the problem and go through preventative measures to shield your home from a future infestation. We would love to help with your questions and pest-control needs, so do not hesitate to contact us today!