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Lori Madden, MANGROVE REALTY ASSOCIATESPhone: (941) 780-8443
Email: [email protected]

The Importance of Home Maintenance: Pest Control

by Lori Madden 11/15/2020

Image by dayamay from Pixabay

Termites and other wood-destroying organisms can destroy a home in no time. Even if you have stucco on the outside, you have wood under the stucco. If a piece breaks off, termites and other bugs can get inside and destroy the walls. Wood is everywhere in our homes. Even block homes have wood in them. The trusses for the roof and the floor joists are usually wood. Keeping pests away from the house is part of maintenance that every homeowner should address.

Ways to Keep Pests Away From Your House

If your home does not have shrubs, flowers and bushes next to it, don’t plant anything there except for low flowers or shrubs. Keep them at least a foot away from the house. Plants are like superhighways into your home for bugs and rodents. If you do keep bushes next to your home, be sure to keep them trimmed at least a foot away from the house, and pick up any plant debris such as leaves and grass cuttings.

Termites are not the only bugs to worry about. Fleas, gnats, mosquitoes and other bugs make their home around your house. These bugs bite and are usually make spending time outside uncomfortable. Be sure you don’t have anything that will hold water near your house, such as old tires, empty flower pots or birdbaths. Items that hold water are a big invitation for pests.

Keeping Pests Away

If you prefer not to hire a pest control company, you can often do your own pest control as long as you keep up with it and keep the area around your house free from debris. Always choose a pest control spray that is from a known brand and follow the instructions faithfully. If you have other pests that are not common, such as Japanese beetles or you are getting overrun with Asian ladybugs, always read the label to see if the product you choose will control these types of bugs.

You could also try planting certain flowers and herbs that are known to keep pests away. For example, basil, garlic and lavender all tend to keep mosquitoes away. You could plant one or all of these, or create a garden with several plants to keep a variety of bugs away from the house. If you have pets be careful with some plants as they may be poisonous to cats and dogs.

Chemicals and Pets

If you have pets, be sure to keep them away from the areas you sprayed until the spray dries. The instructions for the spray usually include information that will help keep your pets safe. If you need to spray your entire yard, spray a section at a time, so animals have available outdoor space while you wait for the treated area to be ready for use again.

About the Author
Author

Lori Madden

As a Florida native growing up in Sarasota, I have seen my hometown grow from a sleepy coastal town to a highly sought-after destination along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. After working in Chicago for 5 years, I returned to Sarasota and saw it through a new lens and really began to appreciate what makes Sarasota so desirable, including temperatures that allow for year round outdoor activities including tennis (a personal favorite), golf, boating, kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding, or just relaxing and/or shelling on our pristine sandy shores, including Dr. Beach’s #1 beach in the United States for 2017, Siesta Key! Sarasota’s cultural amenities are many and diverse, appealing to a wide range of arts lovers. Downtown Sarasota has become a destination in itself, drawing many new developments for those who want to be within walking distance of Main Street's offerings and the picturesque bayfront and marina. Foodies will find an eclectic mix of locally owned and operated restaurants offering something for everyone, and there are now Farmers Markets every day of the week in various locations throughout Sarasota, but the Saturday morning Farmers Market in downtown Sarasota draws the biggest crowds. Since 1988, my passion has been selling real estate, representing both buyers and sellers. I have been recognized by my clients and customers for an uncompromising work ethic and dedication to helping them achieve their real estate goals. Relying on my experience as a real estate paralegal and being highly organized, I am able to help make the transition between contract and closing a smooth one for my clients. With an eye for interior and landscape design, I've been known to pitch in and help Sellers minimize and/or reorganize their belongings in order to stage their home to maximize its sale potential. I specialize in out of state buyers looking for their piece of paradise along the Gulf Coast and make it a priority to keep them up to date on our quickly changing local real estate market. I welcome the opportunity to share with you all Sarasota and her surrounding islands have to offer!