Preventative Tips

INDOOR TIPS:

• KEEP HOUSE CLEAN. AVOID LEAVING OPEN CONTAINERS OF FOOD OR DRINK OUT TO ATTRACT PESTS. WIPE UP ANY SPILLED FOOD OR LIQUID AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. CLEAN UP CRUMBS AND DISPOSE OF GARBAGE REGULARLY IN PLASTIC BAGS. VACUUM ON A REGULAR BASIS.
  

• KEEP PET FOOD IN CLOSED PLASTIC CONTAINERS. AVOID LEAVING OPEN PET FOOD OUT IN BOWLS OVERNIGHT.
  

• INSPECT AROUND PIPES IN CABINETRY AND AROUND BATHTUB AND TOILETS. SEAL WITH CAULK OR GROUT TO REMOVE ENTRY POINT FOR PESTS.

• REPAIR ANY LEAKING PIPES AND CORRECT MOISTURE PROBLEMS. DON'T ALLOW WATER TO COLLECT IN OR AROUND YOUR HOME!
  

• KEEP AIR CONDITIONING FILTERS CLEAN AND CHECK DRIP PAN REGULARLY.
  

• SEAL ATTIC STORAGE BOXES AND KEEP ATTIC WELL VENTILATED TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGES AND PROVIDE EFFICIENT ENERGY USE IN YOUR HOME.
  

• DISPOSE OF BAGS OR BOXES BROUGHT INSIDE YOUR HOME FROM STORES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THESE MAY HARBOR PESTS.
  

• HAVE PETS TREATED FOR FLEAS AND TICKS REGULARLY.

• STORE EXCESS CLOTHING IN PLASTIC CONTAINERS TO ELIMINATE POSSIBLE FABRIC PEST INFESTATION.

• STORE PANTRY ITEMS IN PLASTIC CONTAINERS TO REDUCE POTENTIAL PANTRY PESTS. CHECK DRY BOXED FOOD REGULARLY AND BEFORE PREPARING.

• SEAL AROUND ALL DOORS LEADING TO THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR HOME. THE SMALLEST VOID MAY BE AN ENTRY FOR PESTS.

 

OUTDOOR TIPS:

• SEAL ANY AND ALL CRACKS IN YOUR HOME'S EXTERIOR TO THWART PEST ENTRY, ESPECIALLY AROUND WINDOWS, PLUMBING PIPES AND UTILITY WIRES ENTERING THE BUILDING.

• ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS SHOULD HAVE PROPER WEATHER STRIPPING AND INTACT, TIGHT-FITTING SCREENS. THIS IS A PRIMARY ENTRY FOR PESTS.

• CHECK GUTTERS REGULARLY TO RID THEM OF PEST HARBORAGES AND TO ENSURE THAT EXCESS WATER IS BEING KEPT AWAY FROM YOUR HOME.

• DIRECT AIR CONDITIONING DRIP LINE AWAY FROM HOUSE.

• SEAL AROUND SOFFITS AND ANY VENTS TO KEEP RODENTS OUT OF YOUR HOME. KEEP SOFFITS AND FASCIA IN GOOD REPAIR. SOME PESTS ARE ATTRACTED TO DETERIORATING WOOD.

• KEEP GARAGE DOOR CLOSED AND FITTED PROPERLY WITH WEATHER STRIPPING.

• CHECK IRRIGATION SYSTEM REGULARLY TO ENSURE WATER DOESN'T POOL AT BASE OF YOUR HOME OR SPRAY ONTO THE STRUCTURE.

• KEEP VEGETATION (SHRUBS, BUSHES, AND TREES) TRIMMED AWAY FROM YOUR HOME. PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO TREES TOUCHING THE ROOF LINE.

• REMOVE DEBRIS, CLUTTER, STONES, ROCKS, OR PILES OF WOOD AWAY FROM YOUR HOME. THESE AREAS WILL HARBOR RODENTS AND PESTS.

• FIREWOOD SHOULD BE STORED AT LEAST 20 FEET FROM YOUR HOME AND BE 5 OR 6 INCHES OFF THE GROUND. HAVING A GOOD COVER WILL REDUCE PEST POPULATIONS.

• DO NOT PILE EXCESSIVE MULCH AGAINST THE FOUNDATION, AS THIS WILL ATTRACT PESTS.

• ALL TRASH RECEPTACLES SHOULD BE KEPT CLEAN, WITH TIGHT-FITTING LIDS TO DISCOURAGE FLIES, ROACHES, ANTS, AND WILD ANIMALS.