Pest Control Tips For Homeowners

Pest Control Tips:

Our customized approach to keeping your home pest-free is proven, but there are still some steps you can take as a homeowner to keep pests away. The following are a few tips to make your home and property less of a magnet for pests:

• Keep trees and shrubs cut back and away from the structure of your home.
• Seal every access point all-around your home.
• Store firewood 20 to 30 feet away from your home’s exterior.
• Keep your yard clutter to a minimum, since it attracts a range of insects and animals.
• Eliminate moist areas around your home.
• Keep gutters free of obstructions.
• Be aware that some pests are brought into a home, such as in your store-bought goods or on your clothing. For example, while on vacation, bed bugs could hitch a ride to your home inside your belongings. If you ever accidentally step on a roach, it’s possible that fertile eggs could be transported into your home and create the beginnings of an infestation.

Rodent Control Tips:

You can also prevent infestations of rats and mice by removing attractors inside your home. Helpful tips include:

• Don’t leave food out on the counter.
• Keep food in airtight containers.
• Throw out garbage nightly.
• Clean crumbs off of floors and counter tops.
• Do not store cardboard boxes on the floor.
• Keep clutter to a minimum in bathrooms and make sure there is no standing water.

Mosquito Control Tips:

Mosquitos are very predictable in some aspects. For instance, they feed at dawn and dusk, though some species feed throughout the day. You’re more likely to have problems, however, right about the time you light up the barbeque pit. Mosquitos zero in on specific targets, drawn by heat, smell, and other cues. Any amount of standing water on your property attracts mosquitos. FEPM can help with mosquito control West Palm Beach, but do-it-yourself steps are equally as important. Here are some tips for eliminating the moisture that attracts mosquitoes:

• Keep gutters on your home clean and clear of leaves and other debris.
• If there are any leaky faucets or hoses, fix them.
• Regularly change bird baths and flower pot drip trays.
• Get rid of anything in the yard that catches rainwater, such as buckets, old tires, and cans.
• Clear drainage areas of leaves and trash, so that water can flow away from your home and not pool up.
• Keep your grass cut short, so that adult mosquitoes are less likely to hide there. Trimming bushes and shrubs also cuts down on potential hiding places.
• If there are hollow holes in logs or tree stumps, water can collect and attract mosquitoes.
• Routinely change tarps over firewood and outdoor pools because mosquitos lay eggs in the creases.
• Keep air conditioning drip pans free of standing water.
• Always put lids on trash containers, to keep water out.
• Keep all screens on doors and windows well-maintained.