Spring is right around the corner, which means you still have time to prepare for the onslaught of pest activity that is sure to come with warming temperatures and longer days. During the winter, pest activity generally dies down in the Charlotte area as cold weather kills off many of your worst offenders. As the weather warms up, dormant eggs hatch and a new generation of pests are born who are determined to search for food and water inside your home.

To help you get the upper hand over these undesirable intruders, here are some pest control tips you can follow to help keep the swarms of springtime pests out of your home.

1. Fill in the Cracks

Every small crack and crevice is an easy entryway for pests like ants and cockroaches to find a way into your home. Reduce the pathways into your home by sealing all the cracks you can find both inside and outside the home. Use the appropriate caulk to fill any gaps you may find.

2. Clean Sweep Your Kitchen

Ants, cockroaches, flies, rodents and other pests are attracted to open food containers or spills in your home. If you spent the holidays doing lots of cooking and entertaining, there is a chance that your pantry could use some TLC now. Pull everything out, and be sure to clean up any residual dry goods like flour or sugar that might have been spilt at some point. Make sure any opened packaged goods, like cookies or chips, are placed into Zip-loc bags or air-tight storage containers. 

3. Keep a Dry Home

Pests need water to survive, so cutting down on moisture and standing water in and around your home will help minimize infestations. Inside the house check around sinks, drains and faucets to make sure that everything is draining properly. A heater or exhaust fan can help reduce humidity and moisture before and after showers. Outside, keep an eye out for any drainage issues that need to be taken care of before the springs rains of Charlotte arrive in full force.

4.  Call a Professional

For the best defense against the soon-to-arrive flurry of pests, consult with a provider of professional pest control services. A pest control technician can apply an effective pesticide barrier that will keep the bulk of invasive insects out of your home all season long. They can also survey your property and point out any parts of your home that might be a haven for unwanted critters.

5. Spring Clean Ahead of Schedule

Between hectic holiday schedules and a bombardment of gifts and new purchases, it isn't uncommon for many homes to get a little cluttered during the winter. Old stuff gets put aside to make way for the new stuff, and sometimes it piles up. These piles of junk are breeding grounds for all types of insects, especially spiders. A forgotten pile of cardboard boxes can easily invite an infestation of earwigs or silverfish that can be avoided if you just do a clean sweep of your garage and home before it warms up.

Best Pest Control - Charlotte NC

By taking a proactive approach to spring pest control, you can prevent most pests from getting into your home in the first place. For those determined pests that you can't control, you can count on Thomas Pest Control to come and take care of it. Routine application of pesticides is the best way to keep pests out of your home all year long, so make an appointment with Thomas Pest Control now to get a head start on the spring season.