The first signs of spring are starting to bloom in Georgia, bringing warmer weather, longer days, and pests. If you want to deter those unwanted guests from invading your home, here are 4 things you can do to keep them outside (where they belong).

Pest proof the outside of your home first.

In order to prevent frustrating pests from making their way into your home, you’ll want to start with your landscaping. To do that, make sure you:

• Clear your yard of overgrown grass, trees, shrubbery, and piled-up leaves. Make sure to also clear away debris in your yard as soon as possible, including fallen limbs and decaying logs.
• Create a barrier between your home and your soil. Many pests live in soil, so preventing a build-up against your house will help keep pests from getting in. Opt for a small retaining wall made of brick or stone, or even use shrubbery planted a few feet from your house.

Eliminate food and water sources.

The primary reason you may have pests invading your home is because food and water are easily accessible. Store your pet food in sealed containers and always make sure food and trash are put away as soon as possible.

If you notice standing water anywhere inside or around your home, identify the source quickly so the leak is fixed promptly. This will help prevent water-loving pests, like mosquitos, from breeding near your home.

Seal all of your home’s access points.

By eliminating the access points into your home from the outside, you’re likely to decrease the likelihood of those annoying critters making their way in.

To do this, do a walk-through of your home, identifying drafts, gaps, and crevices in each room. Make sure all windows that open have screens and inspect your window frames for signs of decay or cracks. Once all of your home’s access points have been identified, close the holes and cracks in your home’s exterior with compound cement or caulk.

Invest in preventative treatment.

The most foolproof way to prevent pests in your home this spring is to get a jump start on preventative treatments to your home and yard. Using a professional pest and critter control company helps identify potential problems and keep pests at bay all year long.

The team at Southern Pro are the Georgia pest and wildlife experts you need! Give us a call at 770-865-7673 today for a free inspection that can help diagnose and treat any problems.