Spring is when many pests awaken from their winter slumber and become more active and visible in and around your home and yard. A good spring cleaning and decluttering can do wonders for your home or apartment, as well as reduce pest pressure and threats.

Clark, your neighborly pest control, lawn care and termite control expert, offers the following easy-to-do tips to help eliminate clutter and make your home less attractive to pests.

Indoor Cleaning

Clutter Removal - Declutter areas where pests can hide, such as closets, basements, and attics.

Deep Cleaning - Clean floors, carpets, and rugs to remove crumbs and food debris that attract pests.

Sealing Cracks and Crevices - Seal gaps around windows, doors, and pipes to prevent pests from entering.

Storage - Store food in airtight containers and keep trash cans clean and tightly sealed.

Outdoor Cleaning

Yard Maintenance - Trim bushes and trees away from the house to prevent pests from using them as pathways.

Gutter Cleaning - Clean gutters to remove debris that can attract pests.

Trash Management - Keep outdoor trash cans clean and tightly sealed.

Look for Signs of Pests

Look for Signs of Activity - Look for signs of pest activity, such as droppings, gnaw marks, or nests.

Take Preventative Measures – Keep doors closed and install or repair window screens to prevent pests from entering. Use weather stripping to seal gaps around doors and windows. Consider using yellow or sodium vapor lights, which are less attractive to insects.

Get a Professional Inspection - Consider hiring a pest control professional for a thorough inspection.

Decluttering for Pests

The solution to preventing pest issues related to clutter is simple. Take the time to store items properly – in sealed plastic containers – and break down cardboard boxes and donate or discard old clothes and furniture you do not have a use for anymore.

Unclutter Everywhere - Clutter in closets, cabinets, under beds, attics, garages, sheds and crawlspaces gives opportunistic pests a place to establish nesting sites that are free from prying human eyes. If pests go undetected and locate reliable sources of food and water they will not leave, can multiply, and become a real (and costly) headache to remove.

Toss Out Old Newspapers - A stack of old newspapers in the garage waiting to be recycled. Cardboard boxes or a rolled up old rug in the attic or crawlspace. Sleeping bags or camping equipment in the shed. Clothes or bedding in a closet. All these can create a friendly environment for pests including termites that are known to consume a variety of cellulose materials.

Inaccessible Areas Are Hard to Service – Clutter in a home can also reduce the effectiveness of a professional pest management service. Pests do not hang out in the middle of a room and if a service technician cannot access the space to conduct a thorough inspection and identify the source of the infestation, it will be difficult to make an accurate treatment.

The Invisible Pest Threat – When it comes to secretive termites, a clutter-filled crawlspace can prevent a termite inspector from locating mud tubes or damaged wood indicating their presence. If left unchecked subterranean termites can threaten the structural integrity of your home and result in thousands of dollars in repairs.

Safety Hazards - Other pest issues relating to clutter include the risk of being bitten or stung by spiders or stinging insects when moving or reaching inside old boxes, sleeping bags and clothing. Mice hiding in old furniture or boxes can destroy items or create a potential fire hazard if they chew on electrical wiring. They also spread harmful bacteria to your food or eating areas with their urine and droppings.

Pest Control from Clark Pest Control

Call California’s trusted, friendly pest control expert at 800/WE-NEED-YOU or send an e-mail at clarkcares@clarkpest.com to schedule a no-obligation pest home wellness inspection.

Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for help keeping unwanted pests out of your home and yard.