10 Roach Prevention Tips for Rainy Season

10 Roach Prevention Tips for Rainy Season

It’s quite common to see an influx of roaches after a heavy rain. American cockroaches and Oriental cockroaches are commonly found outdoors. Heavy rain flushes them out of sewers and other hiding spots and sends them scurrying for a dry place to escape, often inside your home. Once inside, they’ll seek out dark, warm, moist hiding spots to take refuge. Cockoaches can be quite a problem when they infest your home. They contaminate any surfaces they touch and can trigger allergies and asthma. What can you do to keep these pests out of your home after a rain? Here are 10 roach prevention tips to utilize this season.

  1. Install screen drains in sinks and tubs.
  2. Keep your water traps full.
  3. Don’t leave any food out overnight, including pet food.
  4. Store food in sealed containers.
  5. Don’t leave dishes out overnight.
  6. Clean out sink drains regularly.
  7. Take the trash out often.
  8. Regularly inspect pipes to clear any blockages and help prevent leaks and/or bursts.
  9. Keep gutters clear of debris.
  10. Ensure weatherstripping is used on doors and windows.

If you implement these roach prevention tips and still have a problem with roaches or any other household pests, contact your local pest control company for an evaluation.

Do Florida Hurricanes Cause More Pests?

Do Florida Hurricanes Cause More Pests?

Hurricanes are bound to happen, especially in Florida. These natural phenomena can cause severe damage to our community, homes, and the environment around us. Unfortunately, hurricanes will also affect pest activity, as homeowners might see the emergence of even more pests. After a hurricane, we will often experience a population increase of pests that thrive in warm, moist environments. Check out our list of pests to look out for after a hurricane and what you can do for hurricane pest control.

Mosquitoes

One of the most common pests that emerge after a hurricane is mosquitoes. The water that’s left behind by the storm will provide the perfect breeding ground for these pests. While mosquitoes are a nuisance, they can spread diseases such as the West Nile virus, Zika virus, and dengue fever. To prevent these pests, remove objects that can collect rainwater, including toys, buckets, tarps, old tires, and more. Likewise, look to remove all leaves and yard debris to keep mosquitoes from invading your yard.

Ants

Other pests that will emerge after a hurricane are ants. When an area becomes flooded, it forces ants to seek out a new place to inhabit, often leading them to our homes. Ants, such as fire ants, pavement ants, and carpenter ants, can all be difficult to control, as they can establish their new colony quickly and are highly adaptable. To keep ants from invading your home after a storm, seal all cracks or gaps found on the interior and exterior of the home. Remove and clean up any food source that may attract ants inside.

Roaches

Cockroaches will thrive in the aftermath of a hurricane. A home or building that’s flooded provides the perfect environment for these pests, where they can settle, breed, and multiply. Roaches are known to carry diseases and even trigger allergic reactions. To deter roaches from your home, eliminate as much moisture as possible by regularly checking for leaky faucets or sinks. Take the trash out on a regular basis, placing it in a tightly sealed trashcan with a lid.

Hurricanes can have a significant impact on our environment and the activity of household pests. Utilizing hurricane pest control measures throughout your home before a hurricane or rainstorm will help to prevent a full-blown pest infestation. If you’re still seeing pests after taking precautions, it could be time to contact your local pest control company for help. These professionals will inspect your home, identify the pest, identify areas of entry, and provide you with a treatment and prevention plan that’s fit for your home.

Your Spring Pest Control Checklist

Your Spring Pest Control Checklist

Spring brings new life, warmer weather, and pests! Because of the spring weather, household pests such as ants, roaches, mosquitoes, termites, rodents, and other pests emerge from hibernation in search of a food source and a place to nest. Now is the ideal time to prevent these pests from multiplying. Check out our tips for spring pest control!

Seal Entry Points

Pests can enter your home through the smallest crack, crevice, or hole. Examine the exterior of your home for these areas, including the foundation, pipes, windows, doors, and HVAC units. Cockroaches, rodents, wasps, ants, and other pests will gain entry and cause a variety of problems in your home. Seal any openings with caulk if you find them. Consider using a sweep to seal the gap between the floor and the door for doors. Use screens on doors and windows and keep them in good condition.

Remove Stagnant Water

Warmer weather and standing water will attract pests such as mosquitoes and roaches to your property. Standing water attracts pests and allows them to multiply and thrive, so it is critical to remove it. Check for leaks on the outside and inside of your home. Pests can be attracted by dripping faucets and loose fixtures. Remove any items in your yard that could collect water, such as flowerpots, old tires, tarps, toys, and so on. Consider enclosing your crawlspace to help control moisture and temperature inside your home.

Keep Your Woodpiles Safe

Many pests will use our firewood to make their way into our homes. Keep your woodpiles at least 20 feet away from your house. To prevent termites and roaches from living in them, consider placing them in plastic containers with lids and elevating them off the ground. Inspect it for pests and brush them off before bringing it inside.

Remove Clutter

Starting your spring cleaning early could help keep pests at bay! Consider starting at the ground floor and working your way up to declutter your home. Clean the floors, dust, sweep, mop, vacuum, and empty your closets and drawers of unnecessary items. Remove old newspapers and cardboard boxes from storage, as these can attract rodents looking for a nesting site. Remove old tree stumps, twigs, and other debris from your yard. Similarly, rake up all the leaves and keep mowing on a regular basis.

Clean Up and Store Food Properly

Mice and rats are looking for food and have infiltrated our kitchens to find it. It is critical to clean your kitchen and store leftover food safely. Wipe down your counters after each meal and clean up any leftover crumbs or spills. Sweep and mop your kitchen floors on a regular basis, and don’t forget to clean under your appliances. Use trashcans with lids to dispose of your garbage on a regular basis. Make use of airtight containers when storing food.

While following these spring pest control tips can help keep bugs out of your home, it is sometimes necessary to call a professional for extra protection. Your local pest control company can inspect your home, identify potential pest sources, and recommend a pest control and prevention strategy.

Common Spring Pests to Lookout for in Hollywood, FL

Common Spring Pests to Lookout for in Hollywood, FL

Florida springtime is a beautiful time of year, with warm weather and blooming flowers. Unfortunately, with warmer temperatures comes an increase in pest activity. Check out our list of common spring pests in Florida and how you can prevent them from invading your yard.

Ants

Ants are extremely small and are known to enter our homes through the smallest hole or opening. These pests are attracted to our food and water sources and can quickly become a problem if they invade in numbers. To prevent ants from coming to your home, it’s essential to keep it clean and free of crumbs and spills. After each meal, wipe down your counters, sweep up crumbs, and take the trash out regularly. Likewise, inspect the outside of your home and seal any cracks or openings in your foundation to prevent these spring pests from entering.

Termites

Termites, including drywood and subterranean, can cause significant damage to your home’s structure. These pests will typically swarm in the spring, so it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of infestation, such as discarded wings near windows or mud tubes near your home’s foundation. To keep termites from destroying your home, place all woodpiles and other wooden materials at least 20 feet away from your home. For extra protection, consider elevating the wood from the ground.

Mosquitoes

Florida’s weather is known for its humidity, high temperatures, and rain, which is the perfect environment for mosquitoes. These pests can be a major nuisance if they invade in numbers, especially during the spring and summer months. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so it’s important to eliminate them around your home. Remove water from items such as flowerpots, old tires, pet bowls, and even bird baths. Likewise, these pests prefer to inhabit areas near shade. Make sure to keep your yard maintained by trimming shrubs and mowing your lawn frequently.

Cockroaches

Like mosquitoes, roaches also thrive in warm and humid environments. These pests are looking for food and water to survive, invading our kitchens and bathrooms to look for it. To keep cockroaches at bay, keep your home clean and free of clutter. Clean up leftover food crumbs, mop on a regular basis, remove old newspapers, etc. Likewise, seal any openings in your home’s foundation, and store food in airtight containers. Inspect your bathroom and kitchen for any leaky faucets and repair them immediately.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are known to be year-round pests, but their peak activity is in the spring and summer months. These pests are typically found in hotels or other areas with high foot traffic or human activity. To prevent these hitchhiking pests, before you stay in a hotel room, inspect it thoroughly. Look for signs of infestation, such as blood stains on sheets or mattress seams. After returning from traveling, inspect your luggage and clothing for any signs of bed bugs before bringing them into your home. Wash your clothes in hot water and dry them in high heat, as bed bugs cannot withstand high temperatures.

Coming across these spring pests in South Florida can be inevitable but placing a few preventative measures throughout your home can help deter them away. If you notice more pests in your house than you can handle, consider contacting your local pest control company for support. These trained professionals can help identify the pest, provide a prevention plan, and treat areas where needed.

How to Manage Spring Pests in Your Birmingham Home

How to Manage Spring Pests in Your Birmingham Home

Alabama Pest Control: Spring Pests

Spring is just around the corner and so are more pests! It’s the perfect time of year to begin prepping your home to keep spring pests away. Mosquitoes, termites, ants, and wildlife are common in the spring time, so it’s best to follow these tips to hopefully lessen your chances of a spring pest infestation.

Seal Up Gaps and Cracks

Pests can fit through the tiniest of holes or cracks in your home. Be sure to examine your home for any potential openings in your foundation, windows, doors, and walls. You can use a silicone caulk to seal any discovered gaps.

Store Food in Sealed Containers

Avoid leaving open food containers out in the open where it’s easy for pests to find. If possible, transfer open food containers to airtight containers that are plastic or glass. This will make it more difficult for some pests to chew through.

Remove Moisture Around Property

Mosquitoes and other spring pests utilize standing water to breed. It only takes the smallest amount of water to attract them to your home. Moisture is also an attractant for cockroaches, termites, and wildlife. Some ways to lessen moisture is to clean out bird baths and pet water bowls daily and check for any other objects, such as HVAC pans or old tires that can house an excess amount of water.

Hire a Professional

If you believe that your home has been taken over by any spring pests, be sure to reach out to your local Birmingham, Alabama pest control company to receive a plan of action today.

Pin It on Pinterest

Call Now Button