Repair Your Window Screens to Help Keep the Bugs Out

Fix torn window screens in Central Iowa - Springer Professional Home Services

Do you have an ongoing pest infestation that you can’t find the source of? In every season, pests take advantage of access points into our homes that are so small they go unnoticed. Some of these gaps are more easily noticeable, like leaky pipes and gaps underneath doors, but have you checked your window screens? Even a few fibers tearing in a window screen can provide a gap big enough for all kinds of pests to sneak through. If you’re looking to keep your home in Central IA in the best shape, free of pests, read on for advice from the Springer Professional Home Services team.

What Pests Come In Through Window Screens?

If you leave them the opportunity, all sorts of pests will use your broken window screens as entryways into your home. Windows tend to be an easy place for many species of insects and arachnids to climb through. Here are some of the pests you can expect in your home if you don’t repair your window screens in Central IA:

If you’ve been noticing any of these pests in your home lately, check around all of the windows in your home. You might find a torn window screen or a broken frame, leaving a gap for bugs to sneak through.

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How to Repair Your Window Screens

Because many of the aforementioned pests thrive in the warmer seasons of the year, winter is the perfect season to start preparing your home to take on the new year pest-free*. Here are a few ways you can keep your windows in the best shape to prevent pests:

  • You can buy screen repair kits for under $3.00 at your local hardware store. They are easy to use, require no tools, and save you time and the expense of getting your entire screen replaced.
  • If your window screen is torn considerably or you don’t have one in the first place, window screens are a great investment to help keep pests out in every season.
  • In the winter, use weather stripping. Not only will it keep your home warmer and decrease your heat bill, it will also keep smaller pests like ants and ticks from sneaking through the gaps!

Professional Help Keeping Bugs Out in Central IA

If you have already fixed your windows but your pest infestation persists, it might be coming from a source that you haven’t discovered. For a complete property inspection to determine the sources of pests in your home, reach out to your local pest control company. The experts at Springer Professional Home Services can locate access points that go unseen to the untrained eye. For a free quote, contact our team today!

How to Use Caulk For Pest Prevention

Caulk can be used to keep pests out of your Des Moines Iowa home - Springer Professional Home Services

Ants, beetles, spiders, and other small insects can get inside your property through the tiniest openings you’d imagine. Some of the most popular access points for these pests are your windows and doors, which can easily develop small cracks and crevices over time. One of the best ways you can prevent pests in your property is to seal all those gaps and holes that would otherwise let pests in. The best way to do that is with caulk, an easily attainable and cost-effective item found at many local stores here in Iowa. With pest season upon us, now is the perfect time to implement pest prevention techniques. Springer Professional Home Services is here with their top tips to use caulk for pest prevention.

Tips to Use Caulk For Pest Prevention

Learning how to use caulk for pest prevention is a simple DIY pest control technique you should have under your belt. Here’s what to do:

  1. Thoroughly inspect your property. Look at your window and door frames both indoors and out, as well as your baseboards, crown molding, and more. If you have major issues with your door or window frames, you may consider using weather stripping or replacing them entirely.
  2. Choose the correct caulk. When you get to your store, you’ll notice several types of caulk. In general, silicone caulk is the most commonly used caulk for this purpose as it is resistant to moisture. It’s also a low-cost option. If necessary, purchase a caulking gun as well.
  3. Thoroughly clean the area. Before you apply any caulk, make sure to clean any areas you will be applying caulk to. This includes removing any old caulking, old paint, dirt, and anything else that could jeopardize the adhesion of the new caulk.
  4. Apply the caulk. When applying caulk, begin in one corner of the crack or gap and tilt the applicator at a 45-degree angle. Steadily apply the caulk in a smooth, slow line while applying steady pressure.
  5. Let the caulk dry. If needed, smooth any bumps or fill any gaps with a small spoon. Remove any excess caulking. For best results, let the caulk dry for at least 24 hours.

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Pest Prevention Tips in Iowa

In addition to using caulk for pest prevention, there are many things you can do to keep pests out. Keep your property clean indoors and out, fix leaky pipes, keep food sealed in airtight containers, and work with your local exterminators to help keep pests away. To learn more about caulking practices or to enlist our help, contact Springer today!

How to Get a Pest-Free Christmas Tree

Shake out your Christmas tree before bringing it into your Des Moines IA home - Springer Professional Home Services

Did you know that 30 million households bring a real Christmas tree into their home every year? Nothing evokes the spirit of the holidays like a freshly cut Christmas tree that serves as a beautiful decoration in your home each year. However, these trees are also said to harbor as many as 25,000 insects inside of them! To avoid getting a pest infestation, keep reading for Springer’s top tips on how to pest-proof your Christmas tree.

3 Tips to Prevent Christmas Tree Insects

With so many Christmas trees to choose from, it can be overwhelming to pick the right one! Before bringing a Christmas tree into your home, there are a number of things you should do to prevent Christmas tree pests:

  1. Thoroughly inspect your tree. Before picking a winner, inspect the Christmas tree for irregularities, spots, damaged branches or trunk, or signs of pests.
  2. Shake out the tree. Either by yourself or with the expertise of a Christmas tree lot attendant, vigorously shake out the tree to expel insects or pests.
  3. Leave the tree in your garage initially. To encourage lingering bugs out, store your Christmas tree in your garage or a covered area for a day or two before carrying it indoors.

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Are Christmas Tree Bugs Dangerous?

Christmas tree bugs are typically minuscule and harmless. In reality, most of these Christmas tree insects will not be able to survive an indoor environment and will die within days of being brought in. The most common Christmas tree bugs you may come across include:

  • Aphids
  • Bark beetles
  • Spiders
  • Weevils
  • Webworms
  • Praying Mantises
  • Mites
  • Sawflies

How to Get Rid of Christmas Tree Pests

If you brought home a Christmas tree only to discover it’s riddled with insects, there’s no reason to panic. As mentioned before, Christmas tree insects are mostly harmless. Nonetheless, it’s recommended to call an expert pest control company such as Springer Professional Home Services for more information on getting rid of Christmas tree bugs. Contact us today for more tips on having a pest-free* Christmas!