Summer brings clear skies, golden sunshine, festivals, sunglasses, sandcastles, ice cream, flip-flops, gardening, and more time spent in the backyard. It also brings a variety of pests (mice, mosquitoes, ants, mites, flies, spiders, etc.)! Let One Man and a Ladybug provide the knowledge you need to pest-proof your home and have a hassle-free summer experience.
Tips for Pest-proofing Your Home From One Man and a Ladybug
At One Man and a Ladybug, we specialize in pest control. The following are some of our most effective and humane methods of insect and rodent-proofing your home.
- Seal your doors: A properly sealed door keeps out insects and rodents. Install sturdy aluminum or steel thresholds. Consider adding a door sweep, an inexpensive device found at hardware stores that covers the gap between the bottom of the door and the threshold. Add weather stripping to the perimeter of the frame. Seal joints with caulk. Consider installing a door-closer to reduce the incidence of doors inadvertently left open.
- Check door/window screens: Pests take advantage of small openings. Make sure your screens are free of holes. Seal openings with clear nail polish or household cement, or consider a new screen.
- Maintain a clean yard: Ensure your yard has no standing water by aerating your lawn or improving the slope of your yard. Change the water in fountains and bird baths frequently. Remove dead leaves and debris to reduce hiding areas. Reducing pests in the yard reduces pests in your home.
- Repair cracks: Ensure pests cannot enter your home by sealing exterior cracks. Look for missing or damaged siding, cracks in the foundation, rotted wood, and crumbling or loose brick.
- Seal around penetrations: Utility installations, cable lines, internet service, and/or phone wiring create gaps in your walls, providing an entrance for pests. Use sealant or caulk to solve this problem.
- Consider large openings: Roof vents, the chimney, crawl space vents, the dryer vent, etc. can be covered with fine mesh or hardwire cloth to keep out pests.
- Store trash properly: Make sure your compost bin has a secure lid, empty kitchen garbage each night, and frequently clean/sanitize trash receptacles and recycling bins.
- Encourage birds and bats: Birds and bats help control the number of pests in your yard, reducing the number that try to enter your home. Encourage bats by providing bat homes and birds by planting shrubs/trees and hanging bird feeders.
When to Call One Man and a Ladybug
If you need help with residential pest control and/or pest prevention, contact One Man and a Ladybug. Our trained, licensed technicians provide environmentally friendly pest-proofing for your home. Let us help you feel safe and at peace in your abode.
