As of this writing, Spring is right around the corner. Many of us can see / fell it already; the Bradford Pear blooms, the singing birds, longer sunlight hours, and – yes – buzzing and crawling insects with destruction in mind!
Winter has a way of lulling us into a sense of well-being. Most of us simply don’t think to give our house a ‘once-over’, looking for potential problems like infestations, water damage, crawlspace issues, mold, and more. With the warmer weather, now is the perfect time to perform a visual inspection of obvious problems and also become more aware of problems you may NOT see.
Ants of all kinds, wasps, spiders, crickets, beetles, mites, and bees are some of the common springtime pests that homeowners deal with, and best way to stop a pest problem before it starts is to examine the exterior of your home several times a year. Look for holes and cracks in foundation, or holes around any windows. Typically, ants enter the home through tiny cracks around windows or sometimes even through tiny cracks or holes in exterior walls.
Try to seal any holes or cracks you find before pests become a problem in the home. Once you eliminate the opportunity for pests to enter your home, you have taken a big step toward keeping them out altogether. However, insects are tricky and persistent. It is important to stay vigilant and keep a sharp eye out for any insects that may creep through your defenses.
termites can often do considerable structural damage before being detected
Keep Shrubs and Trees Cut Back
Even though they may be hard for life-sized people to navigate, small pests love to use shrubs or trees as a ‘bridge’ to get to your home. Insects are more likely to reside in grass that is resting right up against the exterior of your home. If your home’s structural exterior is weakened by poorly placed plants and landscaping, this can create a perfect environment for pests to thrive.
Because pests are often able to live outside AND inside your home, keeping the trees and shrubs trimmed back lessens your chance of having a pest problem. It is good to make a habit of checking your landscaping annually (or even more often) to see if you have areas that need to be addressed.
Clean Up
Common house pests love to get a food that may not be properly sealed. Always wipe down your countertop areas, keep floors clean and try to avoid overfilled cabinets. Simple household chores like these can be a serious tool in the fight against household pests.
Along with keeping your kitchen and pantry clean, make sure the lids on your trash cans are always sealed tightly. Always line outdoor garbage containers with liners to provide an extra layer of defense.
Pest Control Services
Your home is likely the biggest investment you will ever make, and it might surprise you how many people neglect simple maintenance, like proper pest control. A quarterly contract with Nelon-Cole will allow a qualified technician to be your specially-trained ‘eyes’ in defense of your investment. Nelon-Cole knows the Carolinas; the climate, the environment, the unique problems that homeowners of our region face from pest and moisture control problems. We know what to look for that you likely won’t be able to see with only a visual inspection. In addition to protecting your home from harmful pests, we also protect against moisture and mold damage, often found in your home's crawlspace.
Did you know that by the time you see visual evidence of a termite infestation that considerable structural damage may have already happened? You can trust Nelon-Cole for the protection you need to ensure that your property stays as trouble-free as possible as the years go by. Call us today for a free consultation on how we can help protect your property. We have numerous locations throughout the Carolinas and are ready to help you with quality pest control services! Call 888-7-TheWeb today! www.NelonCole.com