It’s common for insects to hibernate or enter diapause. But as the weather starts to warm up, you’ll notice an increase in spring bugs, possibly in your house.
Does this mean you should wait until you have an infestation before
calling in the pros? Not at all. There are several ways to protect against springtime bugs in your home, from DIY tricks to routine preventative pest control.
Here are some tips for keeping unwanted pests from entering your space as springtime approaches.
Look for Springtime Bugs
This might seem obvious, but looking for a potential infestation site is the first step. This means understanding the difference between a few pets and an invasion of tiny insects.
Take stink bugs, for example. If you suddenly notice an uptick in these insects, odds are you have an infestation.
Another pest to look out for is spiders. You may notice spider webs and egg sacs. You may even see spider droppings. These droppings can be white but are usually dark colored (brown, black, or gray).
If you see dead insects around your home, that may point to a spider infestation. Additionally, if you have increased moisture in your home, this attracts spiders, so you may want to check your home for signs of a leak.
Seal Gaps and Cracks
To prevent bugs in the house in spring, look for cracks and gaps in your home’s foundation, windows, window screens, and doors. If you’re unsure about what to look for, a professional pest removal company can inspect your home, sealing any holes with silicone caulk or expanding foam.
Check screens for rips, tears, or holes, filling or patching them to prevent bugs from entering. You can also install weather stripping to prevent bugs from entering your home by way of spaces around doors.
Clean Your Home
Following the tips and tricks in this article will work to prevent stink bugs in the spring, along with other pests, but you should add one more preventative pest measure to your routine:
cleaning your home.
For starters, you should sweep or vacuum floors at least once a week, mopping afterward. If you spill any food on the floor, you may need to clean it more often (or immediately after) to avoid attracting insects).
Bugs such as roaches, silverfish, bed bugs, and spiders — to name a few — are attracted to newspaper and cardboard, so remove old items from your home. Cardboard retains moisture, making it an ideal spot for bugs to hide, so consider moving storage items to plastic totes with lids.
If you have pets, you’ll need to clean their bedding to prevent a flea infestation. Regularly wash their bedding in hot water.
Keep Your Yard Clean
It’s also essential to keep ticks from invading your yard by
keeping your outdoor space clean. For starters, if you have tall grass or brush around your yard or home, clear it out and keep your lawn frequently mowed. You should also have at least three feet of gravel or wood chips between your lawn and any adjoining wooded areas.
If you have leaves in your yard, rake and remove them. It’s also a good idea to keep shrubbery six inches to three feet from your home, at a minimum, to prevent pests from entering your house. If you have pests, look into flea and tick prevention.
Common Springtime Bug Bites
Bugs in the spring may bring with them itchy, painful bites. Some of these pests carry dangerous diseases. Springtime bugs that bite include fleas, mosquitoes, bees, wasps, spiders, bed bugs, and ticks.
If you suspect a bite, it’s best to have a physician determine its severity. Ants can also bite, so be mindful when walking in your yard, especially barefoot.
This is why it’s always best to keep shoes on at all times when outside. Since mosquitoes gravitate towards sandals, thanks to the sweat and dirt that accumulates on them, you may want to
wear sneakers outside.
Prevent Spring Bugs
Now that you have some ways to prevent spring bugs, you can take precautionary measures to keep pests out of your house. Additionally, the tips and tricks in this article may help you prevent swarms of ticks from invading your yard.
However, it’s best to up the ante with pest prevention, protecting your family, your children, and your pets from harmful insects. If you’re looking for pest control in Sussex County, NJ, and Warwick, NY,
contact Serene Property Services. We offer routine pest prevention and help with a variety of infestations.
