Spring sure feels like it is here, which means spring cleaning projects for you and us over the next few weeks. We want to encourage you ย to also consider pest-proofing in and around the home.
Spring is the season when people begin to notice an increase in pests populations like ants, termites, flies and stinging insects. The best way to minimize the chance of an infestation for termites is prevention. Adding a few quick and easy tasks to the spring cleaning to-do list can go a long way in keeping pests out of the home.
Termite Proofing Tips
Experts at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recommend the following steps to avoid an infestation this spring and summer:
- Seal cracks and holes along the foundation of the home including entry points for utilities and pipes.
- Screen windows and doors.
- Eliminate sources of moisture or standing water around the house, including birdbaths and in cloggedย gutters.
- Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet from the home on a raised structure such as concrete blocks or poles.
- Inspect the outside of a home for nests built by stinging insects, which are typically foundย in the eaves under roofs.
- Keep kitchens clean by wiping down counters and other food surfaces after meal prep.
- Take out the trash frequently and store it in a sealed receptacle outdoors.
- Avoid leaving petsโ food dishes out for long periods of time.
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. These prevention tips will not guarantee termites do not find their way into your home. These prevention tips are simple practices and cheap on the wallet and will go a long way in helping to keep termites, which cost a lot to get rid of and fix their damage, away from your home.
If you suspect you have an infestation, contact us to identify the species and recommend a course of treatment.ย
Termite Proofing Your Home this Spring in Sevierville TN
Serving Sevier County and surrounding areas since 1984