Florida’s warm climate makes it an excellent place to call home. Unfortunately, the Sunshine State’s year-round warm weather makes it a highly desirable destination for bugs, too. Insects in Florida can carry life-threatening diseases and even put your home’s structure at risk. That’s why it’s essential to take preventative measures to keep them out of your home and away from your children.
While there isn’t much you can do to change Florida’s warm climate or reduce the number of insects that call Florida home, there are things you can do to ensure insects don’t make their way into your child’s bedroom. Here are eight ways you can do just that with the help of pest control Melbourne solutions.
1. Don’t Skip Out on Preventive Home Maintenance
Preventative home maintenance is vital to keeping insects out of your child’s bedroom. Insects mainly find their way into our homes the same way we do: through windows and doors. That’s why it’s essential to check your home’s entry points at least once per year. Make sure to replace any damaged weather stripping on your doors, and check to see if your window seals or screens need replacing. Making sure you have the proper safeguards in place at your home is one of the surest ways to keep insects out of your home and out of your child’s bedroom.
2. Keep Your Windows Closed
While it may be tempting to fully open your windows on a cool Spring day, doing so is an open invitation for insects. While insects such as flies may be viewed as merely annoying, other insects, such as spiders and fire ants, can cause harm to your children. Keeping your windows shut or opening them with the screen intact will help prevent dangerous bugs from entering.
3. Maintain Your Yard
Keeping up with your yard work is essential to keeping your home bug-free. Insects utilize any means they can to gain entry into our homes, and that includes overgrown foliage. Make sure to frequently trim tree limbs and all other plants and shrubs that could come into contact with your home. Doing this can drastically reduce the chance of insects utilizing branches and bushes as bridges into your child’s bedroom.
4. Dispose of Your Garbage Often
Keeping bugs out of your child’s room starts with you. As we have discussed, insects are attracted to food, even the food you have disposed of. Make a habit of taking out your trash regularly to avoid attracting annoying critters. Taking out your trash frequently is especially important during the scorching summer months.
5. Keep Snacks and Drinks Out of Your Child’s Room
Pesky insects are continually looking for food, and if you provide them with it, they are sure to stick around. If there’s one thing you know about young children, it’s that snack time can be messy. Crumbs, juice spills, and other leftover food can attract insects in significant numbers, especially colony-minded insects such as ants. Discouraging your child from snacking in their room is one of the best ways to keep bugs out.
6. Be Careful What You Bring In
Another common way insects make their way into Florida homes is by being carried inside by us. Before bringing any boxes from the garage or outside into your home, check for spiders, ants, or any other type of insect that may be hiding inside. Additionally, inspect any toys that have been outdoors, as well as sports equipment and clothing.
7. Store Pet Food Properly
Insects are also attracted to pet food. While pet food is an excellent source of nutrition for your furry friend, most people do not realize that it is also an excellent source of nutrition for insects. A great way to keep bugs out of your home is to store your pet’s food in a sealed container and only put out their food during feeding time. Doing this is especially important if your pet dines in your child’s room. Leaving pet food exposed is a great way to welcome unwanted bugs into your home.
8. Opt for Year-Round Pest Control
Enlisting the help of a local pest control company may be the single best way to prevent bugs from getting into your home and eventually into your child’s bedroom. Some types of pests, such as termites, can silently infiltrate your home. A local pest control company can detect these sneaky pests and put a stop to the infiltration before substantial damage is done to your home. In most instances, pest control companies can safeguard your home, preventing unwanted insects from ever entering your home in the first place. If you need pest control Melbourne FL services, Palm Coast Pest Control can provide expert solutions.
Real Story: Vivian’s Experience with Palm Beach Pest Control
“We have been with Palm Beach Pest Control for over 20 years and can’t be happier! The service and dedication of all their staff are remarkable! We recommend everyone look for a reliable, caring company!”
— Vivian Moir
Additional Tips to Keep Bugs Out of Your Home:
- Keep cooking surfaces clean and properly sanitized.
- Clean your hard-surface floors regularly with a cleaner, and vacuum your carpet at least twice a week.
- Clean dishes immediately after use. Do not let dirty dishes build up in the sink. Also, it’s essential to run your dishwasher regularly. Do not let dirty dishes just sit in your dishwasher.
- Always store leftovers in your refrigerator.
- Consider placing baking soda in the back of your refrigerator to ward off bugs and help control odors.
- Ensure your trash cans are airtight. Trash receptacles with an opening are a massive attraction for insects.
- Sanitize the area around your trash cans and clean them out with disinfectant on a regular basis.
- Don’t leave unused plant containers outside your home.
- Keep your lawn cut short.
- Store toys and planters that collect water in dry areas.
- Store firewood away from your home.
- Always clean up any spilled food or drink on your driveway or garage floor.
The Sunshine State is a beautiful place to call home, despite the large number of native insects that inhabit it. While Florida has a wide variety of native insect species, it doesn’t mean that they need to become permanent residents in your home. We’ve provided you with some excellent tips to help you keep bugs out of your home and away from your child’s bedroom. Following this advice should allow you to continue enjoying all the benefits of living in Florida, without having to worry about sharing your home with bugs. For professional assistance, contact Melbourne pest control experts at Palm Coast Pest Control.
