Grass getting too tall? Mowing can help reduce insects!

Ooooh, fun. Prevention!

Ok, so prevention is rarely a popular or exciting topic in most industries. A video of someone safely driving an 18-wheeler will probably get less views and attention than a pulse-pounding scene of a truck driver desperately trying to keep a big rig under control as it skids across a highway. “How to Prevent Weight Gain” will likely sell less than “How to Lose 25 Pounds in 43 Seconds.”

But, prevention can save both time and money in the long run. So for the ones out there interested in “an ounce of prevention” here are some ways to keep pests, bugs, rodents and other unwanted living things out of your home.

1. Remove debris from around your house.
   One of the easiest and most effective steps. Bugs need water and protection from elements and predators. A pile of leaves, rocks, sticks, debris, cardboard, empty milk cartons, fidget spinners or other unwanted items around your foundation or near your home is like setting up an insect and pest commune, often with built in wet zones.

   Set aside a weekend and grab a leaf blower, weed eater, shovel or backhoe and remove as much as possible. We do recommend wearing gloves and a long sleeve shirt. You may find some interesting inhabitants and neighbors you didn’t know you had.

2. Trim trees overhanging and touching your structure.
   Another common trouble area is tree branches touching your home. If debris and clutter around or near the foundation of your house is the high density residential zone of bugs, the tree branches are a bit like roads to their summer vacation spot, e.g. your kitchen.

   Ants in particular use tree limbs and even just a leaf or two touching the wall as pathways. Trimming back trees can reduce the problem. It also removes that hard to see path. Yes they still might wander into your home, but they’ll have to do it at a lower elevation, so you are more likely to see the problem as they climb into the structure along the ground.

3. Clean.
   To be fair, it’s not just messy or dirty houses that get bugs. People often tell us “I’m not messy” when complaining of roach issues, and they’re usually right. But roaches are scavengers that will eat nearly anything. They also come in to avoid danger, search for water or get out of extreme temperatures.

   However, you can make it less likely for roaches and ants to come inside and stay there by removing food droppings, open packages, leaky honey jars and so on.

   Another trouble spot is garages and attics. Instead of storing items in cardboard boxes, use plastic totes. Many bugs like stacked carboard boxes for the safety or as a food source, such as silverfish.

   A good spring (or summer/winter/fall) cleaning to remove those crumbs or enticing areas will help keep pests away.

4. Mow the lawn.

   Keeping a well mowed lawn will discourage pests from living on your land. Tall undisturbed grass makes a safe home for bugs. Long blades or weeds around a foundation are even more popular. Trimming down the grass and weeds will leave them fewer places to live and hide.

5. Dry things up.

   While you’re outside, look for wet trouble areas. Standing water after a rain or watering means that bugs will have both a place to breed, such as mosquitos, and a water source to thrive. Consider adding or improving gutters or adjusting your landscape to fix drainage issues. Also, keeping those gutters clean of accumulated leaves and debris will help them remain bug free.

6. Seal up.

   It isn’t possible to keep all bugs out of a home. But having large gaps due to deteriorating weather stripping or windows that don’t fully close certainly makes it easier for pests to enter.

   Inspecting weather sealing is as simple as standing inside and looking at entry doors with sunlight behind them. If you see light, then it’s very easy for bugs to enter. Be sure to crouch down and look at the threshold area as well as tippy-toe or stand on a stool for the upper area. On windy days you can stand by windows and feel for air blowing in.

   Brush door sweeps with bristles are effective at discouraging crawling pests from entering and are readily available at local hardware stores. This and replacing window sealing will help keep out bugs as well as reduce heating and cooling costs.

While not always exciting or interesting, pest prevention can be extremely effective and long-lasting. Combined with an effective pest control service, you will undoubtedly see fewer bugs inside your home than if you only did one or the other.

If you have need long-lasting, ethical, people and pet friendly pest control services give us a call at 512-443-0123 or fill out our form for a fast free pest control quote.