Ah, June. School’s out, the days are long, and the weather’s getting toasty. We get it—your vacation is beckoning. But before you slather yourself with SPF 75 and reach for a margarita, do yourself a favor and tackle a few maintenance projects. A little pain now means a big gain later—you’ll ensure your home runs smoothly through the dog days of summer.
Warm weather draws out all the creepy-crawlies. But you can give summer bugs the boot (or at least keep them at a comfortable distance). Here’s how:
- Trim shrubs or bushes that touch your home’s exterior (which can harbor wood-destroying insects such as termites, carpenter ants, and powderpost beetles).
- Swap mercury vapor outdoor lightbulbs with yellow sodium vapor ones, which are less attractive to insects such as mosquitoes, moths, and beetles.
- Weed thick vegetation and pick ripe fruits and vegetables as soon as they’re ready.
- Keep bird feeders at least 25 feet from your house—spilled seeds can attract rodents.
- Stop mosquitoes before they hatch by eliminating all sources of standing water on your property.
But above all else, know when to seek professional help. “Do-it-yourself pest control for a cockroach or occasional spider can be cost-effective, but it’s not going to stand up when you have a serious infestation,” says Ryan Michel, owner of Defense Pest Control in Mesa, Arizona. “Pests can carry bacteria and disease, and some can do serious damage to your home. If you’re seeing pests pop up with frequency—especially if you notice them appearing in the same places—it’s time to call in a professional to help.”
Calling a pro can cost you an average of $70 to 178 a month, which may seem a little steep, but at least you’ll sleep better knowing the creepy crawlies aren’t crawling all over, and under, and inside, your home.
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