Spring cleaning for pests

Apr 17, 2020, 09:02 AM by Clark Pest Control Livermore Office

One side effect of the statewide stay-at-home order is that Californians are raising their game when it comes to cleaning around their homes. Never have living spaces been so tidy!

In addition to vacuuming, cleaning windows, and washing down kitchen counters, a thorough spring cleaning can deliver the added benefit of reducing the risk of pests accessing your living space.

Clark, your neighborly pest control, lawn care, and termite control expert, would like to remind you that pests, unlike humans, do not respect social distancing. Mice, cockroaches, bed bugs, and termites will not stay away from the food, water, and shelter your home offers.

Here are a few things to keep in mind about pests as you do your spring cleaning:

  • Reduce clutter everywhere: Clutter – in closets, cabinets, under beds, attics, garages, sheds, and crawlspaces – gives opportunistic pests a place to establish nesting sites free from prying human eyes. If pests go undetected and locate reliable sources of food and water, they will not leave. They also 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, a rolled-up old rug in the attic or crawlspace, sleeping bags or camping equipment in the shed, clothes or bedding in a closet – these items all can create a friendly environment for pests, including termites, which 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 don’t hang out in the middle of a room, and if a service technician can’t access the space to conduct a thorough inspection and identify the source of the infestation, it will be difficult to make a thorough treatment.
  • The invisible pest threat: With secretive termites, a clutter-filled crawlspace can prevent a termite inspector from locating mud tubes or damaged wood that indicates 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. Also, 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.

The solution to preventing pest issues related to clutter is simple. Take the time to store items properly in sealed plastic containers. Break down cardboard boxes. Donate or discard old clothes and furniture you don’t have a use for anymore.

Taking these easy-to-do spring cleaning steps will help eliminate clutter and make your home less attractive to pests.

Pest control has been deemed an essential service during the COVID-19 crisis by the state of California, and California’s trusted pest management expert, Clark, is ready to serve you. Call (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or send an email to clarkcares@clarkpest.com with your pest questions or concerns.

Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home. Stay safe and be well.

Clark Pest Control Public Health Statement

CLARK CARES

The number-one priority at Clark Pest Control is protecting the world where our employees and customers live, work, and play. We are closely monitoring the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and our top priority is keeping our employees and customers safe. Our organization has had a longstanding partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and has spawned multiple public health and educational initiatives involving pest-related health risks. In addition to following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization (WHO), we already have policies and procedures in place across our business to address issues that may arise during this outbreak and potential pandemic events.