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December 20, 2018Pests

New Year’s Resolutions for Homeowners

Your new year’s resolutions probably include something about getting back in the gym, spending more time with family, taking a trip, or perfecting a new skill. But do they include keeping a clean, organized, and pest-free home?

If you’re a homeowner, your resolutions should include doing things that keep your family and home safe and clean. This will likely even help prepare you for other resolutions as well. A healthy life starts in the home.

Having a clean, pest-free home may seem like a lofty goal, and it’s not something you can do overnight. That’s why we’ve put together a list of tips to help you get there this year. The best part? We broke them up by month to make it even easier for you.

January

Fix any holes in screens or gaps in windows and doors. This will not only seal your home from pests making their way in but can also save energy and money by keeping heat in this winter.

February

Clean off your outdoor furniture to prepare for spring by checking for spider webs or egg sacks. If you find any, wipe them off immediately.

March

This is when you begin seeing ants emerge. Don’t give them a place to rest. Consider using lava rocks or egg rocks in your yard instead of pine straw or mulch.

April

Use motion-activated lights to keep unwanted pests out of your garden as you prepare to harvest.

May

Control mosquitoes and keep them away from your house by getting rid of any standing water outside that could attract them.

June

If you have pets, especially those that spend a lot of time outside, it’s time to protect them against fleas. Create a DIY mixture of mint leaves and water to spray on dog beds and any other pet items to naturally repel fleas.

July

Caulk around window frames, plumbing pipes, dryer vents, and air conditioning units this month to keep pesky pests out of your home.

August

Install fine mesh screens in windows to keep summer bugs like cicadas and wasps out.

September

Mosquitoes are looking for cold water to lay eggs in this fall. Prevent mosquito breeding by cleaning your gutters while leaves are still dry and easy to remove.

October

Weatherstrip any entry points to your home to keep cool temperature lovers like centipedes, crickets, and spiders away.

November

Seal up flues and chimneys with aluminum flashing or high-temperature caulk before you begin starting fires for the winter.

December

Keep firewood stored away from your home and off the ground to avoid giving pests a hiding place close to your house.

If you’re committed to keeping your home safe and healthy in 2019, save this handy list. At the beginning of each month, refer back to it and tackle that one item on the list. These small steps will pay off in huge ways.

Of course, none of these tips will do much if you don’t have an ongoing pest control service to take care of those common (and not-so-common) pests around the home. Call us to find the perfect plan for your home and lifestyle: 706-979-2536