Preventative Tips

The Bug Dr. would like to provide you with the following tips to avoid pests and termites:

Carpenter Ants

• Eliminate any damp conditions in or near your house
• Avoid having wooden parts of porches and decks touch the ground
• Keep branches from touching your house
• Remove dead trees

 

Cockroaches

• Keep your home as clean as possible.
• Eliminate pathway areas by sealing or screening
• Cover, seal and put away all food when not in use
• Avoid leaving standing water out anywhere

 

Fleas

• Frequently vacuum carpet and furniture
• Keep pets in the yard
• Keep lawn well-maintained
• Remove wild animals from structure

 

Flying Insects

• Install or repair existing screens
• Change lighting
• Remove garbage daily
• Keep trash cans tightly covered and clean
• Repair any cracks around siding, doors and windows

 

Mice and Rats

• Install physical barriers
• Clean up under work units where food debris can build up
• Check that doors fit tightly
• Inspect incoming boxes

 

Termites

• Eliminate any wood contact of your home with the soil
• Remove paper debris and scrap wood lying around
• Improve ventilation by reducing the humidity in crawl spaces
• Prevent shrubs and vines from growing over and covering the vents

 

Other Ants

• Avoid garbage accumulation
• Try to locate and eliminate nests
• Correct any drainage in houseplants
• Seal cracks in concrete slabs and pavement

 

Pantry and Fabric Pests

• Inspect foods and their packaging prior to storage
• Try to store foods in glass or plastic containers
• Clean old containers before filling them with fresh food
• Clean-up spilled liquids and foods
• Store only clean cloths