Ever wondered why the warmer climates are often accompanied by a higher incidence of pest insects and bugs? This is because insects are poikilothermic, or “cold-blooded”, which means that their body temperature is dependent on the external environment. Mild temperatures and increased humidity in spring and summer correlates with greater insect activity, providing the ideal reproduction conditions for them to multiply. Pests are more than just a nuisance, they can also cause irreparable damage to your belongings and host a number of dangerous viral diseases. Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes in particular, are responsible for Dengue fever, Typhus, Zika virus, Lyme disease, Malaria, and severe allergic reactions that can pose serious health threats to you and your family. But how can you effectively deter and prevent the invasion of these persistent bugs?
In this article, we provide some tips to keep the following parts of your home pest-free during spring and summer.
1. The Garage
Garages left open are a common point of entry for insects. Once these pests make their way into your garage, they can destroy your belongings and damage the structural integrity of the space. From there, they can quickly make their way into the rest of your home. Most bugs are drawn to your garage due to its moist, dark, and warm environment that often simulate their natural habitat. Materials and debris in this area also provides them ample spaces to build a home to nest in. Begin by identifying and repairing the source of all damp and wet areas in your garage. Be sure to dry any standing water and ventilate your garage to not only promote proper airflow but also eliminate moisture-causing humidity. Keeping your garage clean and free of clutter and mess will also limit possible nesting opportunities for insects.
2. Air vents
Insects tend to crawl in through open ducts and air vents. You can easily solve this problem by installing an insect screen on your indoor and outdoor vents. Loose seals and cracks also offer the perfect opportunity for insects to enter and infest your HVAC system. If your air vents are compromised, you can use foil tape to seal small cracks and sealant for larger holes.
3. The Kitchen
The kitchen happens to be one of the more favourable nesting spots for pests, especially flies and ants due to the large amount of food and water available. Critters in the kitchen can chew through boxes and even cabinets to contaminate food. This can pose health hazards to you, your loved ones, and your pets. For this reason, it is important to adopt the habit of immediately cleaning your kitchen after preparing meals. Your daily cleaning of the kitchen should include sweeping and mopping the kitchen floors as well as the dining area. Make sure to wipe down your stove, oven, fryers, and dishwasher filters and seal all leftover, dried, and processed foods in airtight containers before properly storing them.
4. The Roof
Termites and ants are common insects that can be found in your roof. Since most home roofs are made out of wood, these insects can cause significant structural damages and even leaks. This is why it is vital to seal all holes and cracks in your roof, as well as any drainpipes. It is also a good idea to inspect the overhang for nests every few months. A small number of ants and termites can quickly develop into a colony, so contact specialists at the first sign of an invasion.
5. Window and doors
Windows are one of the easiest ways for pests to infiltrate your home. Other than ensuring they stay shut, you can install a fly screen or netting on your windows to prevent insects from gaining access.
6. The Garden
Your garden can quickly become a hotspot for pests if proper precautions are not taken. This involves removing all possible hiding and breeding sites such as standing water, tree branches, stumps as well as stacks of wood.
While mulching is a very effective method of controlling weeds, it can also attract bugs and provide pest hiding and nesting hotspots. To minimise insects getting into your home, avoid mulch in close proximity to your house. Using inorganic mulch, which includes natural materials such as gravel, pebbles, stone, or crushed rock, as well as man-made materials such as solid sheets of fabric or plastic or other non-plant material, can provide a fitting alternative to organic mulch without attracting swarms of unwanted insects.
Taking the appropriate measures during spring and summer is important to reduce insect infestation. For a professional termite control, ant exterminator, bee control, bed bug treatment, and wasp control in Melbourne, get in touch with our friendly team on Positive Pest Solutions! Our friendly team is more than happy to discuss with you the full range of services we offer before arranging for a free quote. Our general pest treatment starts only from $89.