The days are getting longer, the temperature is getting higher and the bugs are becoming more visible. Summer must be coming!

The thought of summer immediately conjures up the smells of the BBQ, the feel of the warmth of the setting sun on your face and the sounds of crickets chirping. Nothing will snap you out of this contented daydream faster than the image of an unwanted bug scuttling across the deck and between the feet of your guests.

To ensure your summer daydreams are more soothing than stressful, follow these four tips to prepare your home for a pest-free summer.

1. Cover your gaps and fill your holes
The best way to keep pests out of your home is to eliminate their entry points. Start up on your roof and work your way down. Check the tiles on your roof for cracks and fill them as needed, do the same for any grout between the tiles. Clear out the debris and check for stagnant water in your drainpipes. Take the time to check your eaves and overhanging tiles for wasp or bird nests. If your home has air ventilation points, remove pest access by covering them with mesh. While we all like the cool summer breeze provided by open doors and windows, they’re an open invitation for pests and friends of pests to come in and make themselves at home. Cover these up with insect screens to ensure you’re controlling the guest list.

2. Spring clean –
Pests love to hide in cardboard boxes (opt for plastic instead), stored possessions and wooden beams. This means now is the time to clear out the unnecessary clutter. Don’t forget your garage! With the amount of items which find their way into the garage to be “stored”, it’s the perfect place for pests to hide so be sure to take the time to clean up in there too.

3. Have an outdoor working bee –
Your yard provides a myriad of places for all those unwanted critters to make themselves at home. Clear out dead tree stumps, rake up your leaves and clean up overgrown foliage. Pay particular attention to removing bug bridges to your home by trimming trees and bushes, removing any access points. Check your compost bin is well-sealed and resolve any leaking taps or pipes which may be contributing to puddles around your garden.

4. Check for pests –
Take your spring clean to the next level by washing all your bedding, curtains and any removable furniture covers. Check your pillows, mattresses and doonas. You may like to invest in having them professionally cleaned as well. Move all your furniture away from the walls to get a good look at what might be hiding there. Not only will you be able to look for evidence of bugs, you can clean up unwanted cobwebs and perhaps find that long-lost earring that you’d previously given up on!

These four tips will ensure your home is prepared for the kind of summer you’ve dreamed of through the cold winter months. By spending a little time preparing your home, you’ll enjoy less pest-related interruptions on those long, balmy summer evenings.

For more information on any of these steps or to find out how we can help you have a pest-free summer, drop us a line or email us at [email protected]