Spring has sprung in St. Louis, and that means more home cleaning, organizing, and maintenance projects on our to-do list. As you go room to room, think about how you can take a few extra steps to help protect your house and yard against unwelcomed guests.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting (Pests)

Without fully understanding what you’re up against, you won’t be able to create a plan of action. Some St. Louis pests stick around all year, but others really get going in the spring, when pests like rats start mating or termites start swarming. The rainy spring season also means plenty of standing water that’s prime real estate for mosquitoes. Ants love the warmth, and along with spiders, begin searching for food. When you know what you’re dealing with, you’re better armed to address and prevent infestations.

Take A Look Outside

We all know that the harsh winter weather can take a toll on our home. Wear and tear on your home can leave openings that need to be repaired — openings that practically welcome pests in. 

Start by repairing or replacing any roof shingles that are rotted or curling, especially if you noticed leaking in the attic. Clean out gutters and downspouts that serve as water sources for bugs, and replace any screens that could offer holes to travel through. In the yard, keep bushes and branches away from the home to prevent easy access. Remove any tree stumps or roots that have rotted to eliminate potential termite infestation.

Don’t ignore structures like garages and sheds as they aren’t usually insulated against the elements, and that includes pests. Spring is a great time to move everything out of these spaces and look closely for signs of pests while cleaning up in the process. Gardening tools and supplies are especially attractive to bugs; make sure they’re organized and tidy, with minimal soil being brought in from outside.

Assess the Interior

It may be obvious that overflowing trash bins and piles of yard waste can be a major attraction for pests, but every room in your house has the potential to become the center of an infestation.

Kitchen: Just like your family loves the kitchen for easy access to food and water, so too do ants. These common spring pests line up to look for leftovers that may be on your countertops or floors, or in your cabinets. Thoroughly clean your pantry, discard any stale food, store everything in airtight containers, and clean surfaces with a mixture of dish detergent and warm water.

Bathroom: Where there’s moisture, there are pests like roaches and silverfish. Keeping things clean and dry in the bathroom keeps these bugs at bay. Check for and repair any leaking pipes and thoroughly clean out and organize the cabinets below your sink. Wipe down your shower curtain, door, or liner after using and handle clogged drains immediately.

Basement: Your basement is dark, it’s great for storage, and you may not use it as often as the other rooms in your home. It’s because of these reasons that it’s the ideal home for rodents and spiders. Streamline your belongings, clear up clutter, use plastic instead of cardboard for storage containers, and seal up any cracks with caulk.

Attic: Some of the same rules for basements apply to your attic. Swap out your storage containers and check for signs of nests that settled in during the winter. Seal off any openings to the outside that rodents can use to make a home in your home. Ensure that the entrance to your attic closes without gaps.

Call In the Professionals

By the time you see signs of pests, that usually means there’s already an infestation. If you’ve done what you can to prevent bugs and rodents in your home but think you may have a problem, the best way to take care of it is by working with pest control professionals. A team of experienced pros will be able to safely inspect your home inside or out. They’ll be able to identify what kind of pest could be wreaking havoc and give additional tips, along with suggestions for treatment plans. 

While we can’t help you organize your garage, we can help tackle your spring pest control. At PestShield, we offer customized services to meet the pest problem you are facing. Whatever your situation is, we will leave you with a clean, pest-free home you can feel good about.