Pest Control Tips for New Home Owners
You’ve found a new home that’s perfect for your family’s needs – congratulations! There’s a lot to get done before you move in– between changing your address, getting new locks and customizing the home décor to fit your personal style. Like renovations, pest control is much easier to handle before you move everything in and give pests new places to hide.
Even if you had a termite inspection or bought a newly constructed home, that doesn’t put you in the clear. Insects are highly mobile creatures that can move into a home within just a day or two. And if they travel in swarms it doesn’t take long for a full infestation to occur!
Here are our top pest control tips for anyone who is moving into a new home or office.
Clean Up the Lawn and Landscaping
Many insects prefer to make their outdoor homes under the protection of debris. Overgrown gardens and woodpiles are two of the biggest hotbeds for insect activity. To prevent them from eventually finding their way indoors, give the lawn and landscaping lots of attention before you move.
- Clear out debris
- Weed
- Rake
- Mow the lawn
- Move the woodpile away from the home
- Clear vegetation away from the foundation
- Trim back branches and shrubs so they don’t touch the home’s exterior
Whatever TLC the yard needs will help prevent infestations and improve the curb appeal.
Deep Clean the Carpets . . . And Everything Else
A variety of miniscule insects (that create big problems) like to settle into the carpet. All of the carpet, including the closet flooring, should get a deep steam cleaning and thorough vacuuming. It’s also a good idea to give every square foot of the house a good scrub down. That way there are no leftover crumbs or crud to attract bugs.
Weatherize the Home
Improve your energy efficiency and prevent pests before you move in by weatherizing the exterior and interior of your new home. In a new construction this should have been done already, but older homes can often benefit from sealing up cracks and crevices often referred to as air leaks. This needs to be done both indoors and outdoors around windows, doors, vents and pipes using caulk or weather stripping. While inspecting the home for air leaks, check out the window and door screens as well. Any screens that are damaged should be replaced with heavy-duty metal screens.
Have a Professional Pest Control Treatment and/or Inspection
When the home is vacant, the pest control technician is completely unencumbered. They can easily identify potential problem areas to look out for and treat any problems they might find. The technician can also provide tips for preventing infestations right from the day you move in based on what they find.
Carefully Inspect Every Item That’s Packed
The last thing you want to do after getting a pest control treatment is bring the bugs inside yourself. It’s very common for bugs to hide away in boxes, particularly when they’re stored in the garage or attic. It will take a little extra time, but it’s always best to carefully check every item in every box before bringing it into your new home. Bedding, clothing, curtains, wreaths and ornamental plants are prime items to check before packing.
Moving in Central Alabama? Before making a new house your home, let Vulcan Termite and Pest Control Inc. make sure bugs aren’t already living there. We have provided thorough inspections and pest control treatments in Alabama for more than 50 years!
Original Source: https://www.vulcantermite.com/home-pest-control/pest-control-tips-for-new-home-owners/