(NC)-As you thaw out from winter and nature springs back to life, changes in temperature may prompt you to begin cleaning and preparing for the warmer months ahead.
It's important to remember that pests will be readying themselves for the warm weather, too. You can expect to see an increase in spiders, ants, cockroaches and pantry pests as the temperature increases.
"When cleaning, you have a great opportunity to prevent pest problems before they occur," says Bill Melville, a 35-year pest management veteran and quality assurance director for Orkin PCO Services (orkincanada.com). "Pests that have been dormant during the cold months can become more active with increased temperatures, and homeowners can take many steps while cleaning to guard against infestations."
Warm-weather pests are more than just a nuisance - they present potential health risks for you and your family. For example, cockroaches and pantry pests carry harmful bacteria that can contaminate food products.
Welcoming the sunshine doesn't have to mean welcoming spring pests, too. Take the following steps while cleaning to help prevent problems in and around your home:
• Seal cracks in and around your home with weather-resistant sealant. Incorporate copper wool to deter rodents from chewing through the sealant.
• Vacuum regularly. You can use a vacuum to remove spiders and their webs as well as other small pests and debris.
• Clean pantries thoroughly, removing any products that have been sitting on shelves for several months. Keep all food in tightly sealed containers, or in the freezer.
• Pick up pet food at night and don't feed pets outdoors. Any leftover food might attract pests to your home.
• Wipe down all counters, wash dirty dishes and remove trash daily to avoid accumulation of any remnants of food that may lure pests. Your crumbs can be a feast to hungry pests.
- News Canada