Florida’s warm climate makes it a favorite tourist destination and place to live for thousands of people throughout the year, but that same wonderful weather means that pest activity doesn’t go away. Bugs in the sunshine state never really take a break. From termites to cockroaches and ants to rodents, these tips will keep common Florida pests from invading your home.
Seal your foundation and exterior walls.
The number one way that bugs and other critters get inside your home is through cracks in your foundation and exterior walls. Ants, for example, are especially adept at getting inside via cracks in basement walls, after which they set up colonies inside wall voids.
To take care of the issue, use liquid cement or caulk and fill in rotted holes, fixture gaps, and any cracks around windows. It doesn’t take much of a hole for insects to get inside. For extra protection, consider hiring a professional to spray the perimeter of your home and have exterior wall treatments performed.
Don’t forget about windows and doors.
Window and door screens are common entry points for bugs, so make sure they’re free of tears or holes. Installing door sweeps will keep bugs from crawling underneath them, and weather stripping gives your screen doors a good seal.
Be careful of what you bring home.
The next step to ensuring a pest-free home is to watch out for unwanted hitchhikers coming in with your packages or boxes. Check and clean your shoes, too, because roach eggs can survive even if their mother is dead. Be sure to look out for any pests that may infest food containers like cereal boxes or other items that pantry pests love to feed on. If you’ve recently gone on vacation, check your luggage for bed bugs and wash it in the hottest water possible when you get back home.
Clean up snacks.
Insects’ primary goal, generally, is to find food. They’ll sniff it out no matter where it is. Colony minded insects make it even worse, because they’ll take crumbs back to the nest and then begin the process of raiding your home for anything they can find.
How do you prevent this from happening? Good food habits. Keep fruit in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat it, and put pet food down only at mealtimes. Vacuuming up crumbs and mopping up spills—especially sugary drinks—can deter sweets-loving insects from feasting on the remnants.
Use year-round pest control for maximum protection.
The best, most efficient way to keep pests from invading your Florida home is to use regular, year-round pest control services from a company you can trust. Some insects, including termites, are known for sneaking into your home and secretly doing damage before you can catch it. Regular pest services from McCall Service can reduce the risk of pests before they can infiltrate your home. To get started, contact us today to schedule your appointment with a professional, expert pest technician.
