Pest Control Solutions
When homeowners first notice pests in or around their Omaha, Nebraska property, the tendency is to just react to the problem and apply a quick control. However, it’s important taking a proactive stance when it comes to pest control. Inspecting, identifying and fixing underlying causes of pest problems diminishes future pest trouble in your home. It’s important to inspect around the property for opportune conditions. Opportune conditions are existing situations that may either cause or indirectly lead to pest infestations. Omaha Pest Control lists below eight common conducive conditions, why they may be a problem for your home, and what can be done to remedy the problem.
Eliminate And Maintain Pest Attractions
Why it’s a problem: Firewood or other items stored against the house create harborage areas for a myriad of Nebraska insects. Carpenter ants love to be in and around any stored firewood and often will readily move into the wall that the firewood is stacked against.
– How to fix: Make sure all items (especially stacked wood) are stored away from the house. If space is an issue, at least make sure these items are pulled out a foot or more, so that the foundation can be clearly seen.
Tree Or Shrub Branches
Why it’s a problem: Ants, insects, mice, rats or other rodents use branches to avoid insecticide or rodenticide treatments. Tree branches are like highways for ants or rodents and they readily use them to gain access to the roof. Shrubbery against your home can also hold moisture against siding, exacerbating the rot process and inviting a variety of pests.
– How to fix: Cut back vegetation away from the home at least three feet and consult with a certified arborist. In some instances it may be best to remove certain trees or shrubs altogether.
Siding In Contact With Soil
Why it’s a problem: Soil/siding contact will rot your siding and invite carpenter ants, moisture ants and occasionally termites.
– How to fix: Dig any mulch or soil away from siding, deck posts and deck staircases. Provide plenty of clearance from the bottom of the siding to the soil so that the home’s foundation can be clearly seen.
Soil Or Mulch Grading
Why it’s a problem: Water flowing against siding will cause decay and possibly flood a basement or crawl space.
– How to fix: The soil or mulch landscaped areas must be graded away from the home so water does not accumulate against it.
Gaps Around The Crawl Space
Why it’s a problem: This allows rodent access to your crawl space under the house where they will damage the plastic vapor barrier, insulation and wiring with their feces, urine and constant chewing. They often go unnoticed until eventually finding a way into your living space.
– How to fix: Hire a contractor or take on the job yourself to make a new crawl space access door that fits properly. Damaged foundation vent screens must be either repaired or replaced. Use galvanized quarter-inch hardware cloth for the screening material. Depending on the type of foundation vent frame, use stainless steel staples, screws, or all weather heavy duty adhesive to attach the screen.
Vent Screens Missing Or Damaged
Why it’s a problem: Birds, bats and rats enter the attic, causing damage, odor and potential health issues.
– How to fix: Re-screen the problem areas with galvanized quarter-inch hardware cloth. Use stainless steel staples or screws to attach the screen.
Gutters Plugged With Debris
Why it’s a problem: Water overflowing the gutters and running down siding causes decay, which attracts pests. Standing water in gutters is also excellent mosquito breeding habitat.
– How to fix: Gutters must be cleaned regularly. In fact, even if there aren’t that many leaf-dropping trees around the property, it is surprising how much debris can accumulate in gutters and downspouts.
Disconnected Downspouts
Why it’s a problem: Water doesn’t drain away from the home, but may drain on it or under it, creating moisture/decay problems, which invites pests.
– How to fix: Make sure your downspouts are connected properly and that there is an elbow at the bottom that drains water away from the house. Walk around your home during a heavy rain and observe where the water is going. You may be surprised.
These are just some of the many conditions Omaha Pest Control see’s as conducive to pest infestations that occur on a regular basis. Some fixes are quick, easy and spending money for inspection and repair of these issues is a good investment that will often save you money and grief in the future.