Spring seems to be arriving early in the UK. This means that you may want to begin with your annual spring cleaning soon. Doing a good old clear out is a great way to make your home feel fresher and brighter. Along with that, spring cleaning is also a great way to deter pests.
New pest challenges as spring starts to blossom
What you have to understand is that spring is a peak time for pests. It’s during this period that they start to wake up from their more dormant state and become active. Also, many insect pests lay eggs at the start of winter. When spring arrives these eggs hatch. If you can prepare for spring insects in advance, all the better.
Also, take into consideration that these pests may be ravenous. Many have gone the entire winter with reduced or very little food. This means they are extremely likely to invade your home. This is simply because our homes have food. Ultimately, spring cleaning should be at the top of your list right now, and is something you must do if you want to deter pests.
Two of the biggest things you need to pay attention to are your kitchen and clutter around the home. Clutter is a great way to harbour invading pests because they always look for quiet and undisturbed places to hide out.
How to deter pests with a thorough clean and clear out
Piles of clutter may sometimes sit unattended to for years. This makes them a great place for pests to target. Many pests, like mice, also use clutter for use as nest building materials. Basically, if you prioritise one thing as part of your spring cleaning, it should be to clear up clutter.
The next biggest problem area is your kitchen. You’ll want to go over every inch of this room and remove all food debris and crumbs. For example, food often falls behind appliances, so make sure to clean behind these. Also make sure to deter pests by cleaning under appliances like microwaves, toasters etc, as debris can build up there too.
Next, carry out general repairs to your home. One important DIY job to keep spring insects out is to take care of leaks. Pests are highly attracted to moisture and damp, so take care of this if it’s a problem. At the same time, attend to any cracks you can find in your walls. Pests will lay their eggs in these, so seal them up.
Finally, something else you may want to do is have your carpets professionally cleaned. More than likely, you will have hidden, ground in food particles in your carpets. Cleaning them is the best way to get rid of this.
Ultimately, spring brings pests into the home, and cleaning is a great way to deter them as we head towards warmer weather. It’s worth making the effort, otherwise you may have to deal with pest infestations later on.