Pests don’t take a break—which means pest control can’t, either. Many people believe the myth that pests are only a problem in the spring or summer. In fact, pests are a year-round problem! This means you need year-round pest control.
While some pests do go into a sort of “insect hibernation” over the winter, many stay active—including spiders, roaches, rodents, termites, and bed bugs.
Let’s discuss why we recommend year-round pest control and why you should consider it for your home. Keep reading to learn more!
Why We Recommend Year-Round Pest Control
As fall approaches, many homeowners cross off “pest control” and add “raking leaves” to their to-do list. They assume that pests disappear in the cold months and return when the ground thaws. As we mentioned above, this is a mistake!
That’s because many pests are active year-round, like termites. What’s more, even those that aren’t typically active in winter can be a problem if they’re staying inside your house.
For example, ants, roaches, bed bugs, and spiders don’t do well in the cold. However, these same pests living indoors can thrive throughout the year. Your home is the perfect climate-controlled environment for them to survive and grow in numbers.
All the while, they might be spoiling your food, spreading disease, and even biting you. Yikes! If you don’t think about pest control year-round, you might end up with a serious infestation come spring!
That’s why we recommend year-round pest control. A few easy and proactive steps taken throughout the year can save your home from pests and avoid unwanted invasions. When you engage in regular pest prevention programs, you’ll know that your home is safe from even the smallest invaders—no matter the season.
Creating a Pest Maintenance Strategy
When it comes to pest control, it’s important to create a strategy. Not all approaches—or pest control companies—are created equal. (For example, we really don’t recommend trying to DIY termite treatment or bed bug elimination!)
Any good pest control strategy needs to include three things: educating yourself, being proactive, and getting help when necessary.
Let’s talk a bit more in depth about how to create a year-round pest control strategy.
Step #1: Educate Yourself
Of course, we’re not recommending that you get a degree in entomology! A basic understanding of pests will do.
It’s important to learn things like:
- What are the common pests in your area? Where do they live, what do they eat, and what are the dangers of having them in your home?
- What kinds of things attract pests to your home? Can you do anything to make your home less attractive to pests?
- If you do have a pest problem, how can you get rid of them? Do you know which solutions are a marketing gimmick, and which ones really work?
If you’re not sure where to get this information, you’re in the right place! Our blog and Pest Library have tons of helpful information about all sorts of pests.
Step #2: Make Pest Control a Habit
Armed with your new knowledge about pests, you can start to make smart decisions around your home.
For example, if ants and roaches are a problem in your area, you can incorporate new habits into your cleaning routine. This include things like storing food and other items in sealed plastic containers (instead of cardboard boxes), wiping up spills quickly, sweeping crumbs off the floor regularly, and putting dishes in the dishwasher (instead of leaving them in the sink).
If mosquitoes are a problem in your area, you can do things like eliminate standing water in your yard, clean out your gutters, repair your window screens, and plant mosquito-repelling plants.
If termites are a common problem where you live, you can make sure to trim back tree branches touching your house, clear mulch that’s too close to your foundation, and keep firewood stacked away from your home.
Whatever pest is plaguing your area, it’s a good idea to perform regular home maintenance. Good home maintenance is the first, best step to help prevent pests. Leaky pipes, cracked siding, and foundation cracks are problems that need to be fixed not only to maintain the value of your home, but also to prevent attracting pests and giving them easy access inside.
Not to mention, performing regular, basic home maintenance both inside and out gives you time and space to inspect for any infestation.
By proactively doing these sorts of tasks now, you can help avoid a pest problem in the first place! This can save you a lot of time, money, and hassle in the long run.
Step #3: Know When to Call Professional Pest Control
As always, remember you are never alone when dealing with pests or coming up with year-round pest prevention strategies. Professionals are only a phone call away, and they can help you develop the very best pest control strategy for your home, or guide you through your options for treatment if you already have a pest problem.
Call a professional like ScherZinger today – and get peace of mind all year long.
Contact ScherZinger Pest Control, a trusted pest control company in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas, including Dayton, OH, and now Columbus, OH. We’ve been pioneers, engineering new standards for ways of eliminating and controlling bugs and pests. Contact us by phone at 1-877-748-9888 or through our website, Facebook, or Twitter.