Spring! The days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, and the vibrant colors of new growth are a welcome sight. We’re all eager to say goodbye to those chilly winter months and embrace the sunshine and blue skies. But with the beauty of spring comes increased activity in the natural world – and that includes the pests that might be looking to share your home.
As plants and animals become more active, so do common springtime invaders like ants, roaches, spiders, and mosquitoes. Here in our area, we typically see ants and those larger smokey-brown roaches become particularly noticeable as the weather warms up. However, it’s important to remember that other pests might also be stirring!
To help you get a head start on a pest-free spring, the team at Advance Pest Control has put together a helpful “TO-DO” list:
Dealing with Pesky Ants:
- Clear Those Gutters: Clogged gutters provide damp, sheltered hiding spots for ants. A good spring cleaning of your gutters can significantly reduce potential ant havens.
- Landscape Maintenance Matters: Our Advance Tree & Shrub division can play a crucial role! We can trim back shrubbery that touches your home (acting as a bridge for ants) and provide targeted insect treatments for your plants, reducing ant populations near your foundation.
- Inspect for Wood Rot: Damp or decaying wood around your home’s foundation and exterior can attract certain types of ants, like carpenter ants. Regularly inspect for and repair any wood rot. (Need a reliable handyman in the Wake Forest area? Check out our local favorites page for recommendations!)
- Sanitation is Key Indoors: Maintaining a clean home, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, is a major deterrent for ants. Wipe up spills promptly, and avoid leaving food debris out.
- Mind Your Pet’s Meals: Ants are opportunistic eaters and love pet food. Don’t leave pet food sitting out for extended periods. Once your furry friend is finished eating, remove any remaining food until the next feeding time. Store all pet food in airtight, sealable containers.
- Seal Entry Points: Take a walk around your home and seal any cracks, crevices, and holes in your foundation, around pipes, windows, and doors. Even small openings can be an invitation for ants to enter. Use caulk or appropriate sealant for the job.
Controlling Smokey Brown Roaches:
These larger roaches are adaptable and can be active across different seasons, often moving with temperature changes. In the spring, smokey brown roaches tend to migrate from outdoor areas into crawl spaces, storage rooms, and attics once they find a way inside. Here’s how to manage them:
- Maintain a Clean Perimeter: Keep the area surrounding your home’s foundation, garage, and any storage buildings clear of debris such as leaf litter, wood piles, and cardboard boxes. These provide ideal harborage for roaches. The less clutter, the fewer places for them to hide.
- Keep a Tidy Indoor Space: You might be surprised what roaches will eat! We’ve seen them consume toothpaste, detergent, and even paper, as they search for protein and other nutrients. By keeping your home tidy and minimizing access to these unexpected food sources, you make your home less appealing.
- Pet Food Precautions: Just like with ants, store all pet food in sealed containers and promptly clean up any leftover food after your pets have eaten.
- Address Moisture Issues: Smokey brown roaches are attracted to moisture. Ensure proper drainage around your foundation and address any leaky pipes or areas of dampness in crawl spaces or basements.
When Prevention Isn’t Enough, We’re Here to Help!
We understand that even with the best preventative measures, pests can sometimes persist in their efforts to invade your home. That’s where Advance Pest Control comes in. We offer a range of effective services to tackle any pest problem you might encounter this spring:
- One-Time Pest Control Services: Ideal for addressing immediate infestations.
- Quarterly Pest Control Services: Providing ongoing protection throughout the year.
- Specialized Pest Control: Targeted treatments for specific pests like bees, wasps, hornets, carpenter ants, fire ants, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and more.
Don’t let unwanted pests put a damper on your beautiful North Carolina spring!
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions or schedule your next pest inspection.
We’re ready to help you enjoy a pest-free season!
