Tips To Keep Pests Outdoors This Spring

FAIRFAX, Va. (March 7, 2013) – No homeowner wants to deal with a pest infestation, but occasionally ants can find a way into kitchens and stink bugs can cling onto curtains or screens. To maintain a pest-free home through the spring and summer months, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) encourages homeowners to pest-proof the home when partaking in “spring cleaning.”

NPMA recently shared insights on general pest prevention with the Oregonian for an article about how to keep the creepy-crawlies outdoors. These tips include:

• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home including entry points for utilities and pipes.
• Keep tree branches and shrubbery well trimmed and away from the house.
• Keep basements, attics, and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
• Store garbage in sealed containers and dispose of it regularly.

From keeping food areas clean to repairing rotted roof shingles, there are many easy steps homeowners can take to avoid a pest infestation and the subsequent health and property risks associated with it.