Today marks the first day of Spring! Colorful flowers are beginning to bloom, birds are flying about chirping — and yes, pests are starting to come out in search of food. If your home provides a good source of food for pests, they’ll gladly invade it. Fortunately, we at United Pest Solutions developed this handy list that will leave your home tidy and make it less appealing to pests.
1. Clean Under Kitchen Appliances
A number of pests including ants, cockroaches, and rodents feed on spilled food and liquid that makes its way into crevices and underneath your kitchen appliances. The quickest way to clean behind your appliances is to unplug them and arrange them to where you can easily vacuum and mop. Be sure to also wipe down the sides of your appliances to remove any food residue here.
2. Sanitize Food Surfaces
While deep cleaning your kitchen, you’ll also want to sanitize all of your food surfaces. Invading cockroaches and rodents will contaminate your counters, stove, and pantry shelves with potentially harmful bacteria and viruses. So we recommend clearing off your counters and shelves and sanitizing them to help protect you and your family’s health.
3. Check Windows and Doors
Many homeowners open their doors and windows while spring cleaning to let dust out and allow the fresh spring air to come in. But before you do, make sure you aren’t simultaneously inviting any unwelcome guests into your home — in the form of pests. Ensure the caulk around your windows has no gaps and that your screens don’t have any holes in them. As for your doors, make sure the door sweep is properly installed and not damaged.
4. Remove Yard Debris
Put yard cleaning on the top of your to-do list if you are passionate about having a pest-free home. Insects and rodents are attracted to leaves, debris, and other foliage. Trim back hedges and trees away from your home and remove debris. Don’t forget to clean out your gutters and downspouts. Many pests are attracted to standing water, especially mosquitos since they breed in standing water.
5. De-Clutter
If you have a habit of allowing things to pile up, don’t be surprised to find some pests have moved in. Many pests, including insects and rodents like clutter because it provides the perfect hiding space for them, provides them with nesting materials, and it can also be a food source. Decluttering your home will considerably decrease your risk of a pest infestation. If you have many things to store, we recommend using airtight containers.
Removing clutter, eliminating outdoor debris, and cleaning your kitchen will considerably help you prevent pest infestations and make your home tidier.