Cracks in the foundation or other places make an easy ingress for insects and should be addressed right away.
After another long winter, summer is finally here.
It’s a great time to enjoy time on the water, around the campfire or just relaxing in your backyard.
Unfortunately, it’s also the time when unwelcome insect visitors make their return to the Lakes Region. From black flies to mosquitoes to ants and beetles, there’s plenty to watch out for. While bugs are part of the great outdoors, you can still make some improvements to your home and yard to help protect yourself from an insect infestation.
Water matters
If you live near running water, you’re probably going to have black flies. According to the University of New Hampshire, almost any kind of clean, healthy stream is going to be a breeding ground for black flies. This includes small rivulets running off of lakes and rivers.
On the other hand, removing stagnant water will help you keep disease-carrying mosquitos out of your yard. Look for anywhere that rain can gather, such as buckets, clogged gutters, bird baths or wet ditches. These can all be breeding grounds for mosquitoes. An area as small as a bottle cap is enough water for mosquitoes!
Clean up your yard
Most insects, including mosquitoes and ticks, like tall grass. Make sure to regularly clear tall weeds and mow the lawn to give them fewer areas to gather and breed. Keep play equipment and children’s toys away from any uncleared areas.
If possible, fill in low places in the yard to keep water from pooling. If you have ponds or other water features, consider installing bubblers to keep the water moving.
Address entry points
Of course you want to be able to enjoy your yard, but you definitely want to keep those creepy critters out of the house. A quick inspection of your house will help you find ways that various insects can make their way into the house. A professional remodeler can help you tackle any of these issues.
Examine windows and doors for gaps. Replace damaged trim and rotted or missing fascia boards and soffit panels. If you find any cracks or crumbling brick, stone or concrete, they need to be sealed and addressed.
Another problem point to look for is gaps around utility installations (such as cable or internet lines). A conscientious installer should have caulked around them, but that doesn’t mean it happened. Or the seal could have simply failed over time. Tackling these issues will also help you improve the energy efficiency of your home and lower your power bills as well!
If your windows don’t have screens, installing them will obviously be a big help as well. If existing screens are damaged, repair or replace them.
Planning ahead
When you’re walking around and examining your home, that’s a great time to think about your next remodeling project as well. Take advantage of the opportunity to examine everything that needs updating in your home.
Clason Remodeling can help you make whatever changes you need your home. Contact us today to discuss your remodeling needs!
Mowing tall grass and weeds will help cut down on insects in your yard.