Spring Break Pest Prevention Tips for Going Out Of Town
If you have an upcoming trip and need pest prevention services, contact SES Pest Control today at (757) 901-4455 or submit a contact form for a FREE inspection!
What Attracts Pests While You’re Away?
Pests are constantly on the lookout for food, water, and shelter. If you’re planning a spring break vacation, make sure pest prevention is part of your plan! In Northern Virginia, March is typically when ants, mice, roaches, and other pests start to come out of hiding. While your home sits quiet and empty, pests may see it as an easy place to settle in, especially if food or standing water is available. Follow these tips to make sure you aren’t coming home to a house full of pests.
Tip #1: Take Out All Trash Before You Leave
Food scraps in your trash cans attract ants, cockroaches, rodents, and other pests quickly. Cockroaches have an exceptional sense of smell and can detect your leftovers almost immediately if they’re already nearby. Ants will send in a scout to find food (up to 100 yards away!) while leaving a pheromone trail for the rest of the colony to follow. That’s why it’s so important to tightly seal your trash bags and place them in a closed outdoor bin away from your home.
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Tip #2: Do Not Leave Dirty Dishes in the Sink
The last thing you want to come home to after a relaxing spring vacation is a sink full of ants or roaches. Dishes left in the sink provide pests with a perfect environment filled with food, water, and shelter. Even a small amount of food residue can attract ants and cockroaches within a few days. A single grease-covered plate can feed a cockroach for weeks. So it’s a good idea to scrub those dishes a little bit extra and run your dishwasher before you leave for your trip!
Tip #3: Store Food in Sealed Containers
Pantry pests, ants, and rodents are less likely to access food that is properly sealed. While you’re home, it may be fine to leave out a few apples or bananas on your counter. Left unattended for too long, that fruit bowl becomes prime real estate for fruit flies, ants, and other insects. Double check your pantry and countertop before heading out on your trip, and put any food in a sealed container, or toss it if it’s going to go bad before you return.
Tip #4: Clean Kitchen Counters and Floors
Crumbs and spills left behind can easily attract pests while your home sits empty. Even if some crumbs are too small for you to see at a glance, they look like a feast to the ants and cockroaches waiting for you to leave. Wipe down your counters with soap and water or a multi-purpose cleaner that’s safe for your countertop. Mop and vacuum your floors throughout the house, but especially in the kitchen.
Tip #5: Fix Any Leaks or Moisture Problems
Many pests are drawn to water sources like dripping faucets, leaking pipes, or damp areas. Cockroaches and ants are commonly found near sinks, so now is a good time to fix that leaky faucet in your kitchen or bathroom before leaving on your trip. It might also be a good idea to reduce humidity in your basement, crawl space, and attic to reduce the chance of an infestation. Don’t just look for these problems on the inside of your house, though. The birdbath in your yard or an empty flower pot is exactly the kind of place that a mosquito looks to lay their eggs. Virginia’s rainy season can be hard to predict, so try to reduce the chance of standing water near your home while you’re away.
Tip #6: Close and Seal Entry Points Around Your Home
Check for gaps around doors, windows, and utility openings that pests could use to enter. Roaches, ants, spiders, and other pests don’t need much space at all to get inside. If you’ve noticed that ants are always coming from the same gap under your door every year, you’ll want to get that repaired before heading on your spring break. Pest-proof your home by sealing any entry points with caulk and repair any screens on your windows. Try to keep at least six feet of clearance between your foundation and vegetation since plants and shrubs can give pests easier access to your home.
Tip #7: Secure Outdoor Trash Bins
Rodents and other pests may investigate trash bins, which can lead them closer to your home. Bungee cords or locks are a great way to ensure those pests won’t be able to dig through your trash despite their best efforts. There’s nothing worse than pulling into your driveway after a trip and seeing all your trash scattered across your yard for all the neighbors to see.
Tip #8: Consider Scheduling Pest Control Before Your Trip
Are you wondering the best way to pest-proof your home before your trip? Routine pest control treatments can help reduce pest activity before you leave and protect your home while you’re away. If you’ve noticed any signs of pest activity, you definitely want to address the issue before going on your trip.
Enjoy Your Trip Without Worrying About Pests
Following these simple tips can help bring you peace of mind while you’re on your trip!
If you’re in the Fredericksburg, Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington, or Northern Virginia area and are planning a spring break vacation, reach out to Summit Pest Control for expert preventative pest control. Contact us today to get started at (703) 884-2124 or fill out our contact form.