Unwanted household pests can ruin any homeowner’s day, especially if they invade in numbers! Florida’s practically tropical weather year-round doesn’t help with avoiding pests too, especially during the spring and summertime heat. Luckily, there are plenty of do-it-yourself pest control methods you can utilize to deter these bugs away. Let’s review the common household pests Florida residents will deal with and how you can prevent a pest infestation.
Preventing A Household Pest Infestation
Mosquitoes
Mosquito season in Florida can be year-round in certain areas of the state. Our warm and humid weather allows them to accelerate their lifecycle and reproduce in large numbers. Female mosquitoes seek out stagnant water or containers to lay their eggs and a blood meal to survive and reproduce. To prevent mosquitoes from taking over your yard, consider these tips:
- Remove items in your yard that can hold water such as buckets, pet bowls, toys, unused flowerpots, etc.
- Make sure your gutters are unclogged and clear of leaves and debris.
- Repair or replace torn door and window screens.
Ants
Ants will invade homes in full force during the spring and summertime, seeking out a food source and place to build their colony. Certain ants, like fire ants, can be harmful to humans while other ants, like carpenter ants, will chew the wood from the inside out and destroy the structural integrity of homes. Keep ants from invading your property by:
- Maintain a tidy kitchen, cleaning up any food crumbs or drink spills after each meal.
- Keep your trees and shrubs trimmed back and away from the house.
- Seal cracks and crevices around the exterior of your home with steel wool or caulk, depending on the size of the opening.
Rats
Spotting a rat inside your home can be extremely alarming, especially since these rodents can contaminate and spread diseases like salmonella, hantavirus, leptospirosis, and more. Rats can also cause damage to your property, chewing on electrical wires and destroying insulation. Deter rats from your home by:
- Declutter your home, removing old newspapers, magazines, and cardboard boxes; opt for plastic containers with lids for storage.
- Take your garbage out on a regular basis and place it in metal outside trashcans with lids.
- Store pet food and birdseed in glass or plastic containers with sealing lids.
Termites
Termites are silent destroyers, eating wood from the inside out and going undetected for long periods. There are two different species common in Florida: the subterranean termite and the drywood termite. Common signs for both species include swarms, discarded wings, peeling paint, wood with a hollow sound when tapped on, and more. These pests can cost billions of dollars in repairs across the United States per year, so it’s crucial to prevent them before they get inside. Consider these tips for keeping termites away:
- Eliminate wood to soil contact around foundations.
- Repair any leaky pipes or faucets and point storm drains away from your foundation.
- Schedule an annual termite inspection with a local termite control company.
If you’ve noticed an influx of these pests above, it could be time to call an Adamsville pest control company near you. These pest professionals will be able to identify the pest at hand, eliminate them safely, and prevent a pest infestation going forward.
