SPRING CLEANING TIPS TO PREVENT PEST INFESTATIONS

Spring is finally here!  

Even though we likely have not seen the last of the snow in Ontario, we definitely can expect some lasting warmer weather in the weeks ahead.  This means that it’s time for homeowners and businesses to start preparing and tackling their Spring cleaning ‘to-do’ lists.

Did you know that spring cleaning can dramatically reduce the chances of an infestation rodents or insects in your home or business? Hot spots for possible troublesome invasion of common pests include both inside  (kitchens, bathrooms, basements and storage areas) and outside.

Here are some spring cleaning pest control tips for how you can target your spring cleaning efforts to help keep your homeor business free of unwanted pests.

Outside:

Take a walk around your home or business perimeter to identify areas where pests may aggregate or gain entry.  Here are common areas to check and address:

• Fix any ripped window and door screens, weather stripping and any loose mortar around the foundation or windows.

• Repair any deteriorating wood like roof fascia and any rotted shingles.

• Remove any rotted tree stumps, which can contain an abundance of insects.

• Prune any trees or shrubs away from your structure.

Kitchen:

Kitchens are a haven for ants, mice and pantry pests, as it is a constant source of food and water. Crumbs or food waste are breakfast, lunch and dinner for mice and ants.

For Ants and Mice:

• Check regulary for and clean up crumbs and sticky residue from liquid spills. Don’t overlook baseboards around main cooking and eating areas.

• Pull out all of appliances to vacuum and clean around and under them to remove the build-up of crumbs and other interesting residues that have accumulated over the winter.

• While your appliances are out, clean the sides of them to remove any dried spilled residue.                           

For Pantry Pests:

Kitchen pantries or storage areas are the ideal hiding place for many food pests. When cleaning your pantry, bugs such as the Indian meal moths, cigarette beetles, confused flour beetles or rice weevils are some of the most common pests you may come across hiding in stored food products. Be proactive:

• Toss out any stale spices, flour, grains, cereals or lentils.

• Invest in glass storage containers with have air-tight seals, as paper bags (like the ones used to keep flour and sugar) are easily ripped or chewed through.

• Clean your pantry cupboards and shelving to remove any crumbs or sticky remnants.

Bathrooms:

The bathroom is the last place anyone wants to be surprised by pests.  Many pests, like cockroaches,  silverfish and firebrats are attracted to moisture, making areas like bathrooms, the perfect habitat.  

For pest control in bathrooms:

• Check around showers, bathtubs, toilets and sinks for moisture issues and repair them immediately.

• Regularly wash fabric shower curtains or replace plastic ones.

• Clean out medicine cabinets and shelving, taking the time to wipe away any surface residue.

Basement:

Do you know why basements are a perfect place for rodents, spiders and all things that go bump in the night?  Because basements are full of dark corners and clutter, which make for great hiding places for rodents or insects.  Mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter and insects can slip through a crack as thin as a sheet of paper.  

Follow these tips to help keep pests outside, where they belong:

• Look for cracks or crevices in the foundation and seal them.

• De-clutter basements by recycling old magazines, newspapers and, unimportant files/papers.

• Store your belongings, keepsakes, important files & papers in quality, plastic air-tight containers.

• When it comes to storage in general, avoid using cardboard boxes and instead pack items in a durable plastic bin with a secure lid.  This keeps pests out, and also safeguards against possible water damage.

So, when it comes to spring cleaning your home or business, there are many things that you can do to help keep pests from pestering you, your family, your employees and your customers. In addition to having a very clean, more organized home or business, following these spring pest control tips will give you peace of mind that you have done an incredible job making your premise less accessible and habitable for pests.

If you do find any ants, spiders, mice or other pests in your home or business be sure to call a trusted, local pest control company like Environmental Pest Control, to lend a helpful hand.