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House Bugs in the Spring/ Summer Apr. 3rd 2013
7 Ways to Prevent the Nuisance Spring/ Summer Pests Whether or not you had to deal with household bugs over the harsh cold of the winter months, you'll find that many critters are more active once the weather begins to warm up. Here are bugs that you're likely to find in your home and ways to prevent the common household pests from coming into your property.
7 Ways to Prevent the Nuisance Spring/ Summer Pests
Whether or not you had to deal with household bugs over the harsh cold of the winter months, you'll find that many critters are more active once the weather begins to warm up. Here are bugs that you're likely to find in your home and ways to prevent the common household pests from coming into your property.
Termites Infestation (Photo Credit: Rest Easy Pest Control)
So if you thought it was time to rest from your diligence of pest control, you'd be wrong. In fact, it might be time to step it up a bit. Let's take a look at a few of the household bugs that are likely to be more common this spring:
Termites
Homeowners hate termites, and for a good reason. They want to eat you out of house and home. A big problem with termites is that a colony is often full of thousands of small bugs. In fact, to be considered a full-fledged colony, there must be approximately 60,000 of them in your home. If you do find yourself having a problem with these wood-eaters, make sure you contact an expert in the field because their numbers will be much too large for you to handle yourself.Bed Bugs
To be honest, bed bugs are a problem all year. The difference is that they don't like the cold, so during the spring, they're more likely to come out to feed. Chances are, these little parasites will be quite hungry. If you wake up with red, itchy spots on your skin, it's time to get yourself into gear and take care of these annoying household bugs. Unfortunately, bed bugs can often be difficult to get out of your house. Some homeowners have positive results with spraying, baiting traps, and the use of steam. But bed bugs are especially good at hiding in small spaces, so your best bet might be to hire a professional.----------------------------
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Stink Bugs
The best thing about stink bugs, if there is such a thing, is the fact that they're not dangerous to humans. While other household bugs might carry disease, eat your home, or contaminate your food, stink bugs don't present these problems. But they do come with two types of issues. The first will probably be obvious: they smell bad. Stink bugs release an odor that is extremely unpleasant. The second may be prevalent or nearly non-existent, depending on your situation. We're talking, of course, of the fact that these critters will eat the vegetation inside and outside your home. Which means if you have ferns, tomato plants, or other such things around your house, it might be time to do a little spraying inside and outside or employ the use of a vacuum cleaner to suck them up and avoid the smell.Fruit Flies
These pests are both annoying and disgusting. Every time they land on your skin, food, or anywhere else, they leave behind potentially harmful bacteria. New research has led to the development and use of insect light traps that attract, capture, and eliminate flies in great numbers. Unlike traditional "bug zappers," these new types of traps do not allow for the dispersal of contaminated body parts into the air whenever a fly is eradicated. These light traps can be placed in discreet locations and have so far proved to be extremely helpful, especially in areas where fly populations are heavy.
Spring/ Summer Cleaning House Bugs
Most everyone likes to have a clean house. With the exception of college kids living it up in a dorm or apartment for the first time, clutter and trash are the last things a person wants to have in their home. This becomes apparent when it comes time for the infamous "spring cleaning." It's the time of year when people transition out of the cold winter weather and are determined to give their house a good once-over in regards to cleanliness. But do you know where household bugs fit into this mix? Does spring cleaning help get rid of household bugs? The simple answer is yes, but to take full advantage of it, there are a few cleaning techniques you should keep in mind:#1. Wiping away food from hard-to-reach places
Maintaining a clean house is a great way to keep household bugs at bay. If the critters can't find any discarded food or debris, your house won't be so attractive to them. Spring cleaning is a great chance to make sure that all those nooks and crannies are clean. We're referring to those hard-to-reach places that are a pain to clean. This includes your refrigerator, stove, entertainment center, couch, etc. Move these items out of the way and sweep behind them, then use a powerful cleanser to wash down the areas that you've exposed.
Bed Bugs on A Mattress
"Maintaining a clean house is a great way to keep household bugs at bay. If the critters can't find any discarded food or debris, your house won't be so attractive to them."
#2. Cleaning out your garage
It's easy to let your garage get messy. After all, most of us don't look at it unless we're getting in and out of our cars or grabbing a tool we keep in there. The garage can quickly become a "catch-all" for all kinds of things. If this has happened to you, it's important to remember that household bugs (and other pests) can congregate in your garage. Not only does it act as a nice refuge from the outside elements, but a messy garage also makes it even more attractive for these critters. Cleaning your garage might seem like a big chore, but it's one that will help you keep household bugs away from your home.#3. Getting rid of any clutter in your backyard
If bugs can't immediately find their way inside your home, they may opt for the second best thing: your backyard. Like the garage, it's easy to clutter up the yard with needless junk, like that bicycle that's collecting rust or an old tire that you switched out from your car. These objects serve as the perfect refuge for household bugs as they patiently wait for entrance into your home. All you have to do is walk out back and lift up something that's been sitting there for a couple of months, and you'll find all the evidence you need. Check your yard for any signs of pests, such as wasp's nests, burrows in the ground, or ant hills. Pay the most attention to areas around doors and windows. Sometimes you can temporarily take care of a problem with nothing more than a shovel and some dirt. But if you decide you need to use store-bought pesticides�on a wasp's nest, for example�you should know what you're doing. If you mess up trying to spray a wasp's nest, things can become very unpleasant very fast! And infestations in a yard are often so far-advanced that you need a pest-control specialist to ensure you completely remove the threat.#4. Clean up food immediately
Be aware of foods that are subjected to open air. By this, we mean to be watchful of foods that are exposed, especially those with a strong odor or sweet smell. For example, if you get honey, jam, peanut butter, or any similar substance on the outside of its container, wipe it off immediately. And for fruits and vegetables, which notoriously act as an insect attractant, be sure you discard these immediately, especially if they begin to turn rotten. Also, keep your kitchen clean. Stay vigilant for the following tasks, and you minimize your chances of having problems with bugs: - When you cook, clean up immediately afterward. That means wiping up crumbs and little pieces of food, wiping down your countertops with disinfectant, and sweeping your floors. - Keep flour, granola, pasta, and other items like this is in airtight containers. Do the same for chips and snacks, or at the very least tightly fold their bags and fasten them shut with a clip. - Discard spoiled food directly to your curbside receptacles. - Wipe down the inside of your microwave and fridge.#5. Take out the trash, as needed
This is especially true if you live in a small household where a trash can doesn't fill up every day. By leaving food in the garbage can for days at a time, you will attract some bugs into your kitchen. To avoid this, either use a garbage disposal or take out the trash on a regular basis, especially if you end up throwing away something that will quickly begin to decay.#6. Utilize the correct containers
This isn't household bugs cleaning tip, per se, but it goes hand-in-hand with what you're trying to accomplish. Food that is in your cupboard or pantry can attract a sizable number of household bugs. To prevent this, invest in plastic containers that seal in the smell. Not only will this lessen the number of insects in your home, but if they do get in, your food will be protected. It's a win-win. Except for the bugs, of course.
