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STARTSMART DIY PEST CONTROL TIPS FOR SUMMER In the kitchen— Pests thrive in dirty, damp atmospheres. Keep the kitchen counters, stove-tops, racks and drawers clean. Wipe surfaces regularly with a disinfectant cleaner. Make sure food containers are sealed and no overlooked food particles are left to attract insects. Overripe, rotting produce can also attract pests like house flies. Eliminate standing water—Pests such as mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Clean the area around your house and make sure the grade of your property and all the drains direct water away from the home. Garbage removal—Ideally, garbage should be disposed of every single day. An accumulation of garbage can lead to cockroach and rodent infestation, which worsens when rotten food particles are present. Keep your outdoor bin located away from the house, if possible. Maintain your foliage—In your garden, fill in low spots where water can accumulate and prune any plants on a regular basis to avoid wild, bushy growths. Cut back any shrub or tree branches that contact the house because they can serve as a bridge for tree-borne pests to access your home. Clean your gutters—Accumulated leaves and organic debris in gutters can give ants and other pests a happy home. Clean the gutters seasonally and consider adding gutter covers if tree fallout is a common problem. Fight an infestation—Familiarize yourself with the many available DIY pest-control kits, which fall into three major categories: Crawling Insects; Flying Insects; Rodent and Wildlife Control. Products include insecticide concentrates, traps, powders, aerosol sprays and more, and instructions for application are usually specific to the type of pest or insect you’re trying to remove.
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Home Improvement and Repairs | The Summer Issue
