Leaky pipes blocked gutters, and pooling water can be a draw to many different creatures. While you can’t help how much it rains (or snows), be sure to keep your gutters clean. Also, make sure you maintain your plumbing.

Monitor Food & Waste

After the winter thaw, pests are on the lookout for the essentials. This includes food, water, and shelter. To keep these creatures out of your home and away from your property, be mindful of how you store their potential food source. Keep your food stored in air-tight containers. This includes pet food, and all trash receptacles sealed. Clean up dishes and spills quickly. Make sure your outdoor garbage (dumpster or trash can) is closed.

Maintain Your Yard

As the snow melts and temperatures rise, it’s time to look to your yard. The fall and winter leave potential pest hazards behind debris, dead leaves, melted snow, and mud. Any damp wood or thick overgrowth can house potential spring pests. Additionally, any stagnant or standing water from puddles or in clogged gutters can be ideal for mosquito breeding. Start maintaining your property now to avoid any potential pest problems in the future.

Inspect Your Exterior

Winter weather is harsh. The change in temperature and heavy winter storms can lead to some major repairs for your home’s exterior. Any new weaknesses in your property can be exploited by pests looking for a cozy spot. Pests can sneak into your home through cracks in the stone. They can also enter through chipped window panes or open slots underneath doors. Roof damage or loose siding can also welcome sneaky invaders.  To keep pests out, perform yearly wear-and-tear maintenance on your home. This is a great Spring pest control tip.

Inspect Your Interior

After inspecting your property’s exterior, the next step is to examine the interior. Spring cleaning is more than just washing your curtains. This is a great time to check over any decorations you brought in from the holidays, just in case you find stowaways. Attics and basements are two prime spots, as well as any areas where your home utilities are kept. Damp basements are a draw for insects like silverfish and spiders. Attics are prime spots for nesting animals like rodents. Be thorough. Make sure no pest made its way inside.

Know Your Enemy

Pest management can be difficult if you don’t know what to expect. While some pests are around all year, certain culprits are more active in the spring. Some pests start their mating season during this time of year. Termites begin their swarms. Rats start their mating cycles. Additionally, after the winter thaw, there is an abundance of standing water for mosquitos to thrive.

As the weather turns warmer, other pests start to become more active. Ants begin searching for food and spiders emerge.  Typically, an increase in temperature means an increase in the spread of the hitch-hiking pests, such as bed bugs and ticks. Once you’ve identified your problem, it’s easier to fortify against it.

Contact A Professional

Spring is an ideal time for fortifying your home against a potential pest invasion. Enjoy a pest-free home by following these easy tips. With a fresh start of a season, you can get a jump on home improvements. You can repair any cracks and crevices, and maintain a tidy yard.

Following these pest control tips is a great way to deter any unwanted house guests. However, even the most vigilant homeowner can face a pest management problem. If you suspect you may have an infestation, contact a professional pest control company for a thorough inspection.

These Spring Pest Control Tips courtesy of The PestRangers in Hazelton PA. Great job on this list!!