It's that time of year when the warm air and sunshine beckons us to enjoy the great outdoors and invite the neighbors over for a barbeque. For those who don't prepare however, tiny party crashers lay in wait to wreak havoc on your summer.
While some of you may be treated to the sight of columns of ants marching from your back porch to your kitchen as you sip your morning coffee, others may swat endlessly at the flies buzzing around their heads or over their kitchen sinks as they prepare dinner. Ah...the joys of summer!
Ants and flies may seem as normal as baseball and apple pie, but that doesn't mean that their presence must be endured to enjoy open windows and outdoor entertaining. With a little proactive maintenance and smart cleaning routines, they can be kept at bay to make your summer pest-free and wonderful!
Keep Flies Away
With flies, prevention starts outside by eliminating areas where they tend to breed and then using simple methods to keep them out of your house:
- Put a lid on it: Flies love the allure of rotting garbage. It not only provides ample food, but is a great environment for breeding.
- Scoop the poop: Keep your yard clear of animal feces by making "poop patrol" a consistent - and frequent - household maintenance task.
- Leave 'em high and dry: Eliminate sources of pooling water to avoid creating stagnant patches of water where flies will breed.
- Cover your drains: Indoors and out, make sure drains are kept clean and fly-free.
- Seal up: Apply caulking to cracks around windows and doors, and ensure that your screens fit properly and are free of rips and holes.
- Trap those that remain: As a last resort, fly paper and electric light traps can kill flies that manage to bypass your prevention efforts. These can be unsightly. Consider a classic fly swatter as your best bet against any stragglers.
Send Ants Packing
Ants can be more difficult to prevent and eliminate, but a few simple household routines can usually keep them at bay. Food is normally what lures them in, so focus preventive tactics on cleanup and storage.
- Sweep and mop: Keep floors swept and clean. It takes very little in the way of food particles to attract a veritable army of ants.
- Lock it up: Store food kept on counters or open shelves in air-tight containers or you'll soon find ants in your sugar bowl.
- Clean up after yourself: Don't leave dirty dishes unwashed - if you leave them out overnight, expect to find visitors in the morning.
- Get Fido on board: Ensure your pets' food bowls are kept clean and that food does not sit out once your pet is done eating.
- Spic and span: Clean up spills quickly and with a bit of dish soap to naturally deter ants.
- Sanitize your trash: Keep garbage cans and outdoor refuse areas clean of crumbs and spills.
Protecting your home from ants and flies doesn't have to be complicated. Western Pest can help ensure that your summer remains pest-free. Call us today at 1-800-544-BUGS (2847) to find out how we can help!