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Quarantining at Home? You Might Not Be Alone.

Pest Control Tips

With stay-at-home orders still in place for many, you’re likely spending a lot more time in and around your house. And, as you continue to adapt to the new normal, certain aspects of your life are changing to become more home-centered.

Whether you’re receiving packages from a meal subscription plan or you’re temporarily handling child care, you’re probably focusing on getting out and about as little as possible. But, as you continue to use your living environment more than ever before, your day-to-day activities are likely attracting some unexpected guests: pests.

Here at Lloyd, we want to make sure your time at home is smooth and safe—which is why we are here to help you keep your home pest-free. With an increase in the amount of food we are eating, trash we are creating, and the life we are living in our spaces, all sorts of pests are catching on to our new routines.

From rodents searching for food in your kitchen to wildlife preying on your food deliveries, our team has a few pointers on what you can do to prevent unwanted houseguests during quarantine.

How to Prevent Pests During Quarantine

Unfortunately, the stay-at-home orders are happening during the spring and summer months, which is a prime time for pest activity here in Southern California. That means pests like rodents, roaches, ants, fleas, termites, and more are on the move in search of food and shelter. If the proper precautions aren’t put in place now, your space can become a pest paradise in the ensuing months.

Accept Package Deliveries Promptly

Graphic illustration of packages sitting in front of door step while a mouse approaches.

With an influx of package deliveries at your doorstep (especially grocery and meal subscription deliveries), your chances of attracting pests to your home increase drastically.

Because cardboard is a food source for cockroaches, these insects can get inside packages during the shipping process and lay eggs. If boxes are improperly disposed of in your home or garage, it could potentially lead to the beginning of a roach infestation. Cockroaches aren’t the only pest attracted to boxes on your porch, either. Rodents, ants, and squirrels can catch wind of grocery or food deliveries if these packages are left outdoors for too long.

Make sure to get your packages indoors promptly, dispose of cardboard boxes properly, and ensure your outdoor trash cans are sealed with a tight-fitting lid to prevent these pests from thinking your home is an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Clean Your Common Spaces Frequently

Graphic illustration featuring women cleaning up messy home.

Whether you’re cooking more at home or ordering take-out frequently, food waste inside your space can draw in pests quickly. After cooking and eating, make sure you’re cleaning your countertops and dishware promptly. Dirty dishes in the sink, dried spills on your counters, and loosely sealed indoor trash cans can provide ample food sources for pests like ants and rodents.

If you have children home with you, there might be dirty dishware or snacks located in places they shouldn’t be. Be sure to inspect common areas regularly—including basements, bedrooms, coffee tables, playrooms, and breakfast bars— as even the smallest crumbs of food can attract unwanted bugs.

Inspect Your Outdoor Vehicle

Graphic illustration featuring woman checking her outdoor vehicle for pests.

If your car sits outdoors in your driveway or on the street, it’s important to check under your hood at least once a week—especially if you haven’t been driving much recently. When cars sit outside for too long, rodents like mice and squirrels can easily take shelter inside your engine bay, chewing on wires, cables, and even air filters in search of food.

To ward off these pests from being attracted to your vehicle, make sure all food bags, coffee cups, and spilled fries are picked up and properly disposed of. In addition, seal all openings—such as cracked doors or sunroofs—to the best of your ability and try to keep your car away from bushes, trees, or foliage. 

Call Lloyd to Stay Pest-Free at Home

While we are still under the stay-at-home order, it’s important to remember that pests are attracted to your house the more you live in it.

From consuming or cooking more food to creating more waste inside your space, you need to take the proper precautions to ensure pests don’t start sheltering in place with you and your family. And, if you want to truly implement an effective pest control strategy, the team at Lloyd Pest Control is waiting in the wings to kick bugs to your curb.

At Lloyd, our technicians work alone in the field and employ personal protective equipment—including wearing gloves and medical-grade respirators while we are inside or around your property. So, no matter what pest you are dealing with while you are staying at home, we will make sure you stay shielded while we take care of your infestation.

Don’t hesitate to give us a call today for minimally invasive, low-intensity pest barriers around the interior and exterior of your home.