Things are warming up in Northwest Ohio. On top of that, the season has started very wet with lots of rain. This combination means that a lot of little critters will be hatching and possibly finding their way inside your home. If this gives you the creepy crawlies, there are things you can do to keep your home mostly pest free.
Maintain Cleanliness
Maintaining the cleanliness of your space sounds like a no-brainer, but can be hard to do – especially if you have children. Crumbs in the couch, sticky cups left in rooms, open food containers on counters – all these make an inviting treat to pests.
Make an extra effort to clean up after yourself and others in your home. Keep food that needs to be out – like dog kibble – in airtight containers.
Seal Entry Points
Check and seal any cracks or gaps in windows, doors or walls. Bigger holes can let in even bigger critters like mice, squirrels or raccoons. Call the property manager to get those sealed up so that animals can’t get in the house.
If you suspect that you might already have pests inside the home, purchase traps or call your property manager. In some cases, removal might be your responsibility. Check your lease to see if you’re able to deal with it or if you should call your property manager.
Manage Trash and Recycling
If you happen to have more trash or recycling than usual, take it to the bigger bins outside. Never leave several bags of trash bagged up at your back door or leave trash or recycling receptacles overflowing in the house. Those are magnets for flies and ants.
If you have a pantry, use springtime as a time to clean out old and expired items. Check for droppings or other signs of pests like gnawed holes in unopened boxes. Bag those up and remove promptly.
Check New Home Items
One thing people don’t think about when buying used furniture is that pests can be transported in through those items. Examine furniture like couches and bed items carefully to make sure there are no nests or evidence of insects. Consider treating them with a disinfectant before moving them into your rooms.
Maintain Landscape
Lastly, don’t negate the outside. Tall grass and overgrown bushes and wood offer pests perfect place to take shelter. They will spend time in your yard and look for (and sometimes create!) openings in your home in search for food.
Keep the grass cut and bushes trimmed neatly. Pick up trash and other debris in your yard. Not only will it reduce hiding areas for rodents, but it will make a better and safer looking home in the neighborhood.
Special Note: We have some residents that complain about groundhogs and the tunnels they dig in the yard. Unfortunately, this is not something that we can prevent from happening.
There is no way to be 100% insect free – the saying goes that there are spiders in a king’s palace. But maintaining the neatness of both inside and outside the home, sealing gaps and holes in the unit and being on top of the trash and recycling inside the house will keep your home relatively pest free. Reach out to your property manager if you need guidance or help.
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