Alleviate Pest Issues with These Home Improvements

Summer is a great time to tackle home improvement projects. You might be making a list of all the projects you want to get finished this summer. Whether you’re doing improvements for yourself or to get your house ready for sale, you can alleviate pest issues. The Tampa pest control experts at Apex recommend adding these three tasks to your list to help control pests around the house.

Seal Water Leaks

Water leaks are a big problem. You probably already know that leaks can cause expensive water damage, but you may not know they can attract bugs, too. Pests like cockroaches are drawn to water sources. If you’ve already planned to do some work in your kitchen or bathrooms, fixing water leaks is an easy addition to your to-do list. Water can leak through areas like the frame of your shower door, through your tiles, or through the rims of your sinks. If you find any leaks during your home improvement projects, use caulk to seal them.

Seal or Upgrade Windows

If your windows are old, they may leak air or water. When windows leak air, your conditioned air will leak out of the house. That drives up your energy costs during hot Florida summers. If windows leak water, water will come in when it rains. When your windows are leaking, pests may be able to sneak inside. To keep bugs outdoors where they belong, seal your windows. To do this, all you need to do is caulk the windows and replace weatherstripping. Another option is to replace your windows. The latter option can help bump up the value of your home, so it’s a good choice if you’re getting ready to sell.

Clean the Gutters

When was the last time you cleaned out your gutters? This isn’t a fun job, so it’s easy to put it off in favor of more enjoyable home improvement projects. Gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year, and more often if you have a lot of trees on your property. When gutters get clogged, mosquitoes can use the standing water to breed. Water can overflow around your home’s foundation, and termites can be drawn to this moisture. Excess water can also lead to problems like rotten wood.

When you’re working on home improvement projects this summer, don’t forget about these three tasks. The Tampa pest control experts at Apex know that your home and family will thank you if you add these tasks to your to-do list. If these improvements don’t take care of your pest issues, contact Apex Pest Control today.