Springtime Pest Control

Oh hey guys, guess what? It's finally starting to look like springtime in most of the country. Isn't that exciting?? I mean, Wisconsin did just get a snow storm last week (in true Wisconsin fashion) but that's all over now.

Spring is trying hard to make itself known in Seattle and I couldn't be happier about it. We have this beautiful cherry blossom tree that's in full bloom just outside our building and I love walking under it every day because it smells heavenly.

Anyway, though spring does bring with it many fuzzy warm feelings, it also brings a few other unwanted things... Like PESTS! I'm partnering with Pointe Pest Control today to bring you some tips and tricks to help keep the critters at bay. Point Pest is a PNW company serving Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

"Home, Sweet Home. That’s the way we want to feel about our home all the time. Unfortunately, pests can really disturb our comfortable surroundings and even threaten our home’s structure and integrity. Most of us have been trained to only call for help when there is an infestation. At Pointe Pest Control we want to re-train your thoughts when it comes to pests and pest control. See… the best way to control pests is to put a pest control management program into action… BEFORE you discover an infestation.

If you’ve ever been stung by a bee, frightened by a large house spider or witnessed the destruction of carpenter ants or termites, then you know how irritating it is to share your personal space with pests. The good news is that you don’t have to. Our general pest control programs include treating for ants, spiders, wasps and other local pests in and around your home, as well as the removal of hives and webs on the exterior of your home."

I have a love/hate relationship with spiders. I KNOW they eat other bugs and that's good and we should love them, but whyyyyy do they have to be so creepy? Luckily, I haven't seen one inside in ages, but when I lived in a bigger house years ago with my brother and my cousin, we had Hobo spiders all over the place. It was a nightmare. I was so freaked out, I totally stopped using the shower and bathroom downstairs because I was so worried I'd run into one! Oh, and one time, Adam and I found a wolf spider at his old house. I have never seen a spider that large indoors before. For a minute we honestly thought it was someone's pet that had escaped but then we realized it wasn't possible. It was in fact a wild spider, and I was appalled spiders that large existed in Seattle. Adam caught it with a Tupperware bowl and a book and swiftly threw both items outside and then slammed the front door behind him. It's still one of my favorite/most haunting memories. Washington, I love you, but your spiders are TOO MUCH for me.

Spring Cleaning Tips: Preventative Pest Control

While many people suffer from arachnophobia or fear of spiders, spiders can serve a useful purpose. They may eat other types of bugs, such as gnats, flies, and moths, as well as common disease-transmitting pests such as mosquitoes and cockroaches. However, despite these potential benefits, most people do not want to deal with a spider problem in their home.

Once you call in our pest control experts to inspect your property and treat any problems that exist, there are some simple steps you can take to keep spiders from returning to your home in the future:

• Seal any cracks in exterior walls and siding, particularly around your foundation, where spiders often gain entry.
• Eliminate any gaps around doorways and windows, which can also help lower utility costs while preventing pests from getting in.
• Refrain from using cardboard boxes for storing items you are not using in closets, pantries, attics, basements, or crawl spaces.
• Trim trees, bushes, and tall grasses around your property and remove old leaves or other yard waste as soon as possible.
• Avoid stacking firewood, timber, or building materials next to your home, garage, or deck.
• Reduce your overall amount of clutter, which can make your home easier to clean and maintain while eliminating places for spiders or other pests to hide.

I hope this post was helpful and didn't give you the heebeegeebees! ;-) Now get crackin' on that spring cleaning! As always, thanks for reading. xo