Video Library

Video Transcript

Hi this is Nicole with DoMyOwn.com. Spring is here, and so are the pests. With a few smart steps and the right tools, you can protect your home and yard before bugs get busy.

Termites and carpenter ants target damp, soft wood, so now is the time to seal and apply a professional-grade wood treatment designed to protect against wood-destroying insects. If you notice any damp or rotting wood, replace it, and ensure firewood is stored off the ground and away from the home's foundation. Exposed wood, especially near the ground around your home can attract termites, carpenter ants, and carpenter bees.

Next, you'll want to tackle any moisture issues. Fix leaking spigots, hoses, loose or cracked gutters, and drain standing water. For water features or water spots that can't be drained, you can drop a mosquito larvae-control product in those areas. Increase ventilation in basements, crawl spaces, and attics, and install a dehumidifier if necessary. Less humidity means fewer pests.

Keep plants trimmed back so they don’t touch your house, and turn soil and mulch. regularly and keep it a few inches away from your home’s foundation. This removes the bridges that bugs can use to get inside. As temperatures rise, repair window and door screens. Replacing or adding weather stripping to door frames can play a large part in keeping creepy pests out and can reduce air drafts as a bonus to help your indoor temperatures stay more stable year-round. Check for loose soffits around gutters and eaves and gaps and cracks around external pipes and wires entering the home. Repair and seal if you notice are necessary.

Then apply a perimeter insect spray around the exterior foundation and entry points. This barrier stops pests like ants, roaches, silverfish, overwintering pests, and many more. Secure your garbage cans and avoid leaving food or pet food outside overnight to keep rodents and scavenging insects away. In your lawn, monitor early for aphids and chinch bugs. If you’ve dealt with them in the past, apply a lawn-safe insect treatment preventively.

Outside around wood surfaces, look for carpenter bee holes and use an insect dust or foam specifically made for wood-boring insects if you see activity.

Remember: fleas and ticks are active now through fall. Treat your yard with a flea and. tick-control granule or spray and check pets regularly. Finally, store your pesticides correctly. It’s best to keep them in their originally labeled containers in a temperature-controlled area and out of direct sunlight. Avoid sheds and garages that are less stable in temperature through the year.

Stay proactive, treat early, and spring pests won’t stand a chance. Thanks for watching! We are always happy to help you DIY like a Pro here at DoMyOwn.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more DIY and Product Videos.