Preventing Pests
Preventing Pests in Buildings
Our pest control service will control infestations in homes and help prevent new infestations. However certain conducive conditions make a home more vulnerable to infestations of insects and rodents.
There are non-chemical measures homeowners can take to make a home less likely to be reinfested and less vulnerable insect and rodent pests.
Some of the measures you can take include:
- Correcting exterior and interior moisture problems including leaking flashing, clogged gutters and downspouts, roof leaks, plumbing leaks.
- Trimming trees and bushes at least three feet away from buildings.
- Removing tree stumps within 50 feet from a building.
- Sealing knotholes in damaged trees.
- Making sure that the grading of the soil is tiled away from foundation walls.
- Keeping leaf litter away from the foundation of building.
- If you use mulch keep it six inches away from the foundation and do not overmulch.
- Storing firewood off the ground and away from buildings.
- Only bring firewood in the house that you will use that day.
- Eliminate wood to soil contact.
- Replace any rotten wood.
- Weather-strip exterior doors.
- Caulk crevices around doors, windows, vents and outdoor plumbing entry points.
- Screen all windows and vents.
- Reduce condensation in attics and crawlspaces by making sure there is proper ventilation.
- Keep food, garbage and birdseed in sealed containers.
- Eliminate standing water outside in old tires, kiddy pools and birdbaths
For most insects the most important of these steps is to correct any moisture problem in the structure. Moisture buildup in the walls, ceilings and/or sub floors of the structure will attract pests and allow them to buildup. Moisture problems can obstruct and inhibit our treatment process.
Contact the Bliss office near you or email us your request for more information on our carpenter ant program for your home.