Pest control measures are essential for maintaining a healthy and comfortable living environment, but what is the best time of year for pest control?
No one wants unsightly home and lawn pests bugging them throughout the year. Spotting pesky insects, rodents, or other unwanted critters is scary, too, because they can spread infections. But when is the best time to get started eliminating these nuisances?
Continue reading as we discover which time is the most efficient to invest in pest control measures for your home.
How often do I need pest control services?
How often you need to schedule pest control treatment varies from situation to situation and place to place — however, mitigation is always essential upon the first signs of detection. When you spot the signals of a pest infestation, act promptly for more effective results.
Many homeowners only consider pest control services in the spring and summer. Although this is the peak pest activity period, pest control has merit all year. Adopting a year-round approach to pest prevention and treatment is the most effective way to maintain a pest-free environment.
When the summer ends and temperatures begin to fall, you might assume your bug issues are finished until the spring season. Even if you don’t see bugs around your house as much during the colder months of the year, it doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Pest control efforts in the fall and winter months are crucial for combatting problems during peak season.
Spring: preventative pest control measures
Spring is often considered the best time of year for pest control. The weather finally warms up, and everyone, including pests, is itching to go outside after being cooped up indoors all winter. Spring brings thoughts of renewal and starting fresh — that also means starting fresh with pest control.
Here are some essential steps to kickstart your pest control efforts in spring:
- Check your soil: Pests not only dwell in grass and plants, but also in the soil. Make a barrier around the perimeter of your home to keep soil from stacking up against the foundation. Use a fence, build a modest retaining wall made of brick, stone, or masonry, or plant trees and bushes a few feet from your home.
- Work from the outside in: Working from the outside in is one of the most effective strategies to keep unpleasant spring bugs out of your house. This means making it as difficult as possible for pests to approach your house by refreshing and prioritizing your landscaping efforts first.
- Seal your home: Conduct a walkthrough of your home, checking for drafts, gaps, and fissures. Make sure that every window has a screen. Inspect the window frames for chips, cracks, and signs of degradation. Check for drafts or holes in entrances and attics, and make sure that any doors and windows to your crawl space or basement are properly sealed.
- Eliminate food and water sources: Pests will be less interested in entering your house if they can’t find food and water. Keep all food sources sealed and out of reach. Bring your pet food indoors and keep it in sealed containers. Also, dispose of any food waste and rubbish quickly.
Summer: battling peak pest activity
Summer is the season to be outside — backyard barbecues, swimming, and camping bring people together to have fun in the sun. Warmer temperatures also indicate that rodents, bugs, and other pests are eager to play. If you’re dealing with unwanted pests in or around your house, don’t delay. The following summer tips will prevent lawn pests from ruining this fun season.
First, inspect your outdoor furniture, as it often provides an ideal environment for unwanted guests. Pests like burrowing into furniture and any outside coverings designed to protect them. Wasps and spiders particularly enjoy nesting in these nooks and crannies. Choose simple designs without too many intricate crevices to keep pests at bay.
Next, routinely check your property for standing water, especially after a summer rainstorm. These little puddles of water provide a breeding ground for pesky mosquitoes, making it difficult to enjoy the outdoors. Routinely search for anything that collects water, such as old furniture, garden equipment, and birdbaths.
You’ll also want to prioritize yard upkeep. While this is wise year-round, keeping your yard clean during the summer is essential to keep bugs at bay. A lack of yard upkeep is like a birthday party invitation for pesky vermin. Bugs prefer overgrown trees, shrubs, and grass to hide. Trim your trees, clear up the shrubs, and keep your lawn maintained to eliminate this inviting oasis.
Finally, it’s as essential to maintain the inside of your home as well as the outside. As the weather warms up, undesirable guests like ants and cockroaches begin looking for cooler places to take a break, such as your house. And, as they become accustomed to your pleasant house, they’ll search for a food source.
Pests will enter your kitchen and feast if it is littered with crumbs and easily accessible food. Even if there are only a few crumbs on the counter or floor, bugs will appear quickly and swarm the area in a flash. To avoid this, be sure to clean your kitchen after each meal and snack; this will remove their supply of food and compel them to search elsewhere.
Fall: prepare for overwintering pests
Fall is a stunning time of year with excellent weather, but it’s also a time for prime activity amongst the pest community. The pleasant temperatures of fall are a nice break from summer, but cooler weather can also attract indoor and lawn pests to your abode. Although many of them are harmless, encountering unwelcome creatures in your home is extremely frustrating.
Here are some typical insects that thrive in autumn:
- Ants: As the weather becomes colder and wetter, ants start their annual hunt for shelter, warmth, and food and, unfortunately, your home accommodates all three. Check your home for any gaps or crevices via which ants can enter. Also, make sure your food is properly stored and is not left out. Ants are drawn to crumbs and exposed fissures.
- Bees: It may seem illogical to be concerned about bees in the fall, as they are most active in the spring and summer. While this is true, the number of bees grows as they prepare for the long winter ahead. During the fall, people notice an increase in both bees and wasps. Look out for these yellow flying insects, which are rather aggressive.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs are a major issue during this time of year. Fall brings a lot of travel, with kids moving back and forth from school, family reunions, and attending athletic events. During your travels, you might come across bed bugs, which can grip onto your clothing or baggage. This is a popular method for bed bugs to spread from place to place.
- Cockroaches: Cockroaches use this time of year to find a wintertime food source and warmth. Cockroaches are more destructive than ants because of their capacity to spread illness. Proactive control is the best approach to dealing with roaches. The same as ants, make sure you properly store your food and that there are no openings in your foundation.
Other common overwintering pests include spiders, ladybugs, stink bugs, and rodents. To prevent these pests from making your home their winter retreat, schedule pest control services in the early fall.
Winter: targeting indoor pests
Winter has come, but the damp and chilly weather doesn’t mean you should ignore pest management in and around your house. Colder weather often means rats, bugs, and other pests are prepared to move inside for warmth. Act quickly because the longer you sit back, the more comfortable they’ll feel infiltrating your territory.
Winter pest control is equally as essential as any other time of year. Keep an eye out for signs of infestation and take preventative actions to keep pests out of your house, such as closing access holes and properly storing food. If you see evidence of a pest infestation, schedule local pest control services to tackle the issue for good.
Also, consider scheduling indoor pest control treatments during the winter to address any issues that have gone unnoticed during the other seasons. The winter months offer an opportunity to maintain a pest-free home and ensure a smooth transition into the next year.
Summit Lawn & Pest Control is here for your year-round needs
At Summit Lawn & Pest Control, we know the best time of year for pest control is any time. We are passionate about offering timely and economical residential lawn care and pest control services so you can enjoy your yard and home without worrying about unwanted insects and vermin.
Contact Summit Lawn & Pest Control today to learn more and set up your free examination! We service Utah County cities such as Lehi, American Fork, Provo, Eagle Mountain, Spanish Fork, and more.
