Prepare and prevent, don't repair and repent

1. Inspect and Replace Water-Damaged Wood

   Check your home’s structure (e.g., siding, decks, window frames) for water damage, as rotting or damp wood attracts pests like termites and carpenter ants. Replace any compromised wood to eliminate potential nesting sites. Protect wood by applying a fresh coat of paint or stain. This will come in handy to limit stinging wasp nests later in the summer too!

2. Trim Back Overgrown Vegetation

   Cut back trees, shrubs, and vines that touch or overhang your home. Overgrown plants provide pest highways for ants, spiders, and rodents to enter, and they can harbor moisture that attracts insects. A barrier of 2-3′ around your home with no or very limited organic growth will help prevent pests from nesting near your home, where they would be even closer to infesting. Overgrowth vegetation also hides potential problems such as mold and algae build up, rotting wood, and other factors leading to pests.

3. Hire Colonial Pest Control for Semiannual Preventative Services

   Schedule professional pest control with Colonial Pest Control for semiannual treatments. Their expertise can protect your home and family from seasonal invaders like ants, wasps, and rodents with tailored prevention plans. Our highly trained technicians will also help by identifying conducive conditions and creating a plan of action to take care of potential problems before they become an issue.

4. Seal Entry Points

   Inspect and seal cracks, gaps, and holes in walls, doors, windows, and the foundation using caulk or weatherstripping. This keeps pests like mice, ants, and cockroaches from sneaking inside.

5. Clean and Declutter

   Remove clutter from basements, attics, and garages where pests might hide. Vacuum, sweep, and wipe down surfaces to eliminate food crumbs and nesting materials that attract invaders. If pests do invade and you require interior treatment, your positive results might depend on a professional’s ability to access these areas to eradicate pests.

6. Maintain Gutters and Downspouts

   Clear debris from gutters and ensure proper drainage to prevent standing water. Mosquitoes and other water-loving pests breed in stagnant water, so keeping these areas clean is key. Phorid flies have been found breeding in these areas if conditions allow, and wasps will regularly frequent these areas for the water, making your home more attractive to nest on or near, increasing your change of getting stung.

7. Store Firewood Properly

   Keep firewood at least 20 feet away from your home and elevated off the ground. Stacks of wood close to the house can shelter rodents, termites, and spiders. If you have the space, storage closer to 80-100 feet from your home is even better, and only take in wood when to are getting ready to burn it.

8. Check Screens and Vents

   Repair or replace damaged window screens, door sweeps, and vent covers. These barriers stop flying pests like flies, wasps, and mosquitoes from entering your home. Check crawl space vent screen as well, as mice have been known to chew through the screens and squeeze through the vent slots to access your home.

9. Manage Trash and Food Storage

   Use tightly sealed trash cans and store food in airtight containers. Pests like rats, mice, raccoons, and pantry moths are drawn to accessible garbage and unsecured food. As the temperatures rise, flies also breed rapidly in conditions where garbage is available.

10. Eliminate Standing Water Around the Property

    Remove or drain water from birdbaths, old tires, or low spots in the yard. This reduces mosquito breeding grounds and keeps your outdoor space pest-free. If you have a standing water feature, now is the time to get the agitator or bubbling motor going. Drain spots in trees and like areas to prevent water build up and further decay.

11. Bonus Tip**

    Manicure your lawn and yard transitional zones to reduce exposure to ticks. Spring is a peak season for ticks to emerge and seek out hosts to feed from. Consider the areas in your yard where manicured lawn meets with tall grasses, brush or bushes, or other areas where rodents, birds, and woodland animals would feel comfortable. Wherever those animals are, ticks will be, ready to feed and spread disease.

By following these steps, you’ll create a strong defense against spring pests while keeping your home in top shape. For more information on how to have Colonial Pest help pest-proof your home, call us at 800-525-8084 or visit our Preventative Maintenance page for more details.