Right now the bugs are keeping it a bit on the down-low during these supposed Southern California “winter months.” While it may not seem like it’s that much cooler, the weather really does affect the frequency of pest infestations. As we make our way to the warmer spring months, it is important to take a bit of preemptive action against pests. Here are some simple, non-chemical ways to prepare for the impending heat wave and pest rush here in Southern California
Keep Living Spaces Clean
Bugs need food and protein to live, that goes without saying. That means that ants will target that cheese crusted pizza box that got left on the kitchen sink, flies will buzz around all that dog poop in the backyard and cockroaches will sneak in from the dark to pick at all those dirty dishes in the sink. Keep your foods sealed tightly in the cupboards and make sure that the trash is taken out consistently and completely. Flour weevils will specifically target all those unsealed baking goods in the pantry, finding those guys while baking bread would just be disgusting.
There’s a reason why there’s a lot of bugs and pests in and around the trash, that’s because it’s filthy, and filth contains a lot of proteins that bugs like to go for. By neglecting to take out the trash or letting trash accumulate, the door is essentially opened up for creepy crawlies to come and clean it up for you.
Do Not Leave Standing Water
As things start to heat up, Southern Californians typically start to be around a lot more water. Water sports, swimming pools, playing in the sprinklers and water slides are all great ways to cool down in 110-degree weather, but tracked water in the house could lead to another open door for heightened pest infestations. Make sure to keep tracked water from the kids dried up inside the house and the bug water park will be closed for good.
Knock Down Webs
Imagine this: you leave home to go grocery shopping, picking up the basic necessities, dropping off the kids, all that good stuff. When you come home, your house is gone. Just plain gone. That’s what it’s like for spiders when you knock their webs down. They have no where to go, no where to catch food and all their babies are probably dead. It’s grotesque, but that’s how you can get rid of spiders, just wreck up the place.
Travel Cautiously
With Spring and Summer breaks on the horizon, thousands of people are already planning trips and vacations. Which is great, I hope they have a lot of fun, but travelling can increase the chance of taking some of those nasty pests home and having them infest their lives. When travelling, it is important to check your bags, wash your clothes in hot temperatures, and inspect any of those nifty souvenirs for evidence of pests, specifically bed bugs. One helpful tip is to leave all your bags outside when you get home from the trip, bringing them inside one at a time as your inspect and wash your belongings. It can be tedious, but I’ll take an hour of tedium over a bed bug infestation any day.