Spring… into action now to control pests before they become a problem
With the temperature currently going up and down like a yo-yo from week to week, the recent snow may be gone today, and the daffodils might even be in bloom this week, so there’s a sense that Spring is just around the corner.
That’s some much needed good news… but it does mean that some seasonal pests will be stirring too.
The other good news is that if you make a plan and act now, then there’s a lot you can do to make sure you enjoy a great and pest-free Spring.
Here’s how…
First steps before February is out for good pest control
- Let’s start in the kitchen. After a winter of lockdown, your kitchen has probably seen more meal preparation in the last three months than ever before. So this weekend, carefully prise out all the kick-boards under your kitchen cupboards and make sure you remove any loose debris from meal preparations, which will otherwise start to attract insects and mice.
- Before you replace the kick-boards, also make sure you will leave no gaps between the floor and skirting boards. Fill any holes and for any larger gaps remember to stuff them first with wire wool to make the repair totally rodent-proof.
- Before refixing the kick-plates check the hoses for your washing machine and/or dishwasher. Make sure there are no signs of leakage – or signs of gnawing. If there is, replace the worn item or fix it with plumber’s waterproof tape, and try to see where the rodents causing the damage might have entered from so that you can seal it. And check for leaky pipes under your sink and in the bathroom(s), as moisture there is ideal for woodlice.
- In other rooms, fix the thin-ended pipe attachment to the vacuum and get right in to the corners. This can help remove the eggs or pupae for moths or fleas before they hatch. Remember to empty your vacuum bag into a bin outside the house immediately after, as any living fleas left inside the vacuum for long can breed, increasing the chance some escape if you empty the vacuum inside the house at a later date.
Quick tip: Now is the time to bin any carpet ends you have kept ‘just in case’. Moths find them a really cosy home in which to breed.
Pest Control with March in mind
- Check your cat-flap works properly; otherwise, it can be an open invitation to rats or mice currently living outside your warm home.
- Depending on where you are in the country, birds begin to look for places to nest In February and March. Check the eaves and chimney pots of your house at this time, and seal any gaps before the nesting season starts. Remember that it is illegal to do this once a nest is occupied.
Quick tip: If you want to store jumpers and other winter clothes in the loft, protect them in vacuum-sealed bags and put these inside a case. Moths can wreck your jumpers in a single summer.
April’s action list for a pest free Spring
- Time for the annual spring clean. You want to eliminate clutter throughout the house, as it only provides an ideal hiding place for mice – and you’ll be amazed at the things you find that you thought had been lost over the winter months! Trust us, it’s time well spent.
- If your garden has a water butt then check it has nothing untoward inside and fix a lid that can keep unwanted pests out throughout the Spring. Also, change the water in your birdbath twice a week, to prevent it from stagnating.
Follow our tips to ensure you enjoy the spring and summer months and get some much needed ‘feel good’ factor.
Remember, if you find any evidence of a pest infestation; give us a call for expert FREE advice.