Even though San Diego is known for its beautiful year-round weather, residents do not escape the pest problems that come with the warmer temperatures. Eighty-four percent of homeowners across the country have experienced a pest problem in the last 12 months, and 80 percent have concerns about pests in their homes.
Even though San Diego is known for its beautiful year-round weather, residents do not escape the pest problems that come with the warmer temperatures. Eighty-four percent of homeowners across the country have experienced a pest problem in the last 12 months, and 80 percent have concerns about pests in their homes.
Home Team Pest Defense conducted a national survey of homeowners and found out that the top pest problems in the San Diego areas were Argentine ants, rodents, termites, bedbugs and American roaches.
“Rodents have really picked up and are a big problem right now, the season for Argentine ants is coming up in the Spring and Summer, and termite swarming season is a month or two away,” said Jesse Quiroz, general manager.
Warm weather and early rains are bringing out these pests, and entomologists note that Spring is an important time for local residents to inspect for pests and pest-proof their homes.
Here are some useful tips on steps you can take to protect your home from Spring pests now.
Eliminate water sources. All pests look for a source of water. Fix dripping taps and leaking pipes to remove the water and humidity that pests, including termites and ants, need to survive.
Seal potential entry points. Pests such as ants and spiders find their way indoors through cracks and crevices around doors, walls and window.
Replace standard outdoor lights with yellow bug lights. Minimizing lighting outside your home will reduce the overall number of pests that swarm around your home.
Remove spider webs. Discourage web building by vacuuming or sweeping in closets, under furniture, and in corners. Use a long pole (an easy purchase at home improvement stores) to remove webs from hard to reach corners inside and outside your home.
If you store firewood, move it away from your home (and always wear gloves when reaching into dark places). Firewood can be a good hiding place for rodents, spiders and termites, so the further from your house the better.
Cut back tree branches and bushes to keep pests away from the side of your house and roof. There should be at least a one foot gap between vegetation and your house.
Empty garbage cans and recycle bins regularly. Store food in sealed containers-common household pests such as cockroaches and house ants are always looking for a tasty meal.
Look for signs of termite infestation. Signs can include swarmers (winged termites) looking to start a new colony or the presence of mud tunnels near or around your foundation.
A new bug barrier used locally in San Diego is Taexx. This is a network of small, perforated tubes built into designated walls of a home only installed during home construction. Once installed, pest control products can injected into the system through a port on an outside wall.
For more information, you can go to www.pestdefense.com/taexx.
