Household pest infestations can pose potential health and property threats, so it’s important to know how to effectively stop them from entering your home before they do any damage. Consider the following prevention tips:
• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of your house, including entry points for utilities and pipes.
• Keep tree branches and shrubbery well-trimmed and away from the house.
• Keep basements, attics and crawl spaces well-ventilated and dry.
• Store garbage in sealed containers and dispose of it regularly.
• Repair fascia and soffits and rotted roof shingles; some insects are drawn to deteriorating wood.
• Replace weather stripping and repair loose mortar around windows and the basement’s foundation.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and five inches off the ground.
• Clean leaf accumulations from gutters and downspouts; they can serve as breeding sites and hiding places for a variety of insects, including earwigs, millipedes, springtails and psocids.
• Don't allow ivy, groundcover, shrubbery or tree branches to grow in direct contact with your house’s foundation, exterior covering or roof.
If your pest problem becomes too difficult to effectively handle on your own, it’s imperative to call a qualified pest removal professional for additional treatment. Dave Osborn, owner of Osborn Spray Service in Danville, says to hire a company that has a proper license and stays up-to-date on the latest industry trends and practices. “If it’s a member of organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC), that’s a good sign.”
