7 Spring Cleaning Tips to Always Keep Top-of-Mind

Ahhh, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping... and the pests are invading. Sounds like spring is on its way! While you might be thinking about where you stored all those Hawaiian shirts (that everyone tells you to throw out), you should be thinking about protecting yourself from ever encroaching pests.

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These once dormant critters are waking up hungry, homeless, and ready to multiply. Sorry to be so blunt, but there isn't much time! After the winter season, pests are itching to invade your home as quickly as possible, all in the hopes of gaining access to food, shelter, and a place to raise more pests. So, now is the perfect time to protect yourself against potential invaders. At Black Diamond Pest Control we value our customers and take pride in keeping you informed and ahead of the curve. We believe that the more you know, the more you can enjoy a pest-free life.

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Here are our seven tips for preventing invading pests this spring.

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7. ENEMY OF THE ESTATE

We get it, there’s lots of bugs, and they all look icky, especially when one is crawling up your leg! When it comes to pests, and especially spring pests, knowledge is power. There are certain culprits that are at peak activity just after the ice thaws – keep an eye out for ants, termites, rodents, and young mosquito larvae flappin’ around in sources of standing water. Oh, and we can’t forget those itsy-bitsy spiders coming down your waterspouts!

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6. THINK OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

Let’s face it, winter can beat the shingles off any structure. Damage to the exterior of a structure can act as welcome openings for many pests. These creepy crawlies can sneak through roof damage, cracks in stone, chipped windowpanes, and gaps under your doors. It’s best practice to perform yearly “what the heck is damaged now” maintenance checks around your property. Remember; most pests can squeeze through holes much smaller than their body!

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5. CLEANLINESS PREVENTS PESTILENCE

Spring cleaning means more than just throwing out those old jars of who-knows-what in your fridge. You need to also inspect the interior of your home for telltale signs of invaders. Attics, basements, garages, areas where utilities come into the home, and even furnace areas are typical primary areas to inspect.

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4. GET TOUGH WITH YOUR TURF.

The snow has melted, the leaves have been raked, the dog gifts have been removed; but there’s more to cleaning your yard than meets the eye. Damp wood, thick overgrowth, and standing water are like housewarming presents to lots of pests.

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3. WASTE NOT. WANT NOT.

After winter, pests are looking for certain things: food, water, and shelter. Keep aware of how you store your food, your pet's food, and your trash or recycling. Invest in air-tight containers, clean up your dishes quickly and make sure your outdoor garbage is sealed properly.

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2. H2O NO!

Rain, runoff, and overflow are welcoming signs to parched pests looking for a drinking source. Clean your gutters and be sure to maintain your plumbing to keep things dry and pest free.

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1. CLEAN YOUR ACT UP.

They don’t call it spring cleaning for nothing! Now is the best time to clean away any potential problems around your property, especially while the weather is still mild with low humidity. Don’t forget, more junk means more hiding spots for pests, and it will be much harder to clean once the heat takes hold. So; farewell, filthy gutters! Sayonara, stinky overflowing trash cans! Adios, annoying crack in the kitchen window that I started to fix last year and now I’m finally going to finish! This year we’re going to start things off clean and pest free!

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For more information on any of our tips or to schedule an appointment, call the Black Diamond Pest Control professionals at 877-DEAD-BUG.

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