At Lloyd Pest Control, the last thing we want to do is to add more assignments to your docket—but we need to remind you of one task that sometimes gets pushed to the back burner until it’s too late: pest control.

In Southern California, pests don’t seem to take a break throughout the year. As new pests roll into town with the changing seasons, they are on the hunt for safe places to shack up, eat, and mate—and your home can provide the perfect conditions to do so.

While professional pest control can help remedy an ongoing infestation, scheduling regular pest control treatments throughout the year can keep you proactively protected while preventing the gamble of DIY pest control. (Fewer chores and less stress? Time for a big sigh of relief.)

But just how often should pest control be done at your house? And what pests should you be worried about throughout the Southern California seasons?

Is Quarterly Pest Control Worth It?

When it comes to regularly scheduled pest control, we suggest having your home treated once a quarter or every two to three months. And for good reason! General pest control—including treatments for pests like ants, spiders, rodents, roaches, silverfish, earwigs, and fleas—can become ineffective after a few months go by, which could leave your space exposed to incoming pests.

With quarterly treatments from Lloyd, you’ll be in a better position to safeguard your house from pests no matter what type of property you have or its location.

What Do Quarterly Pest Control Treatments Include?

During each treatment, one of our field-experienced pest technicians will monitor hot-spot areas for changes in pest activity. Even if pests aren’t directly visible, we will create environmentally-friendly pest control barriers—including sprayed applications and/or rodent traps that are pet-friendly—to guard your home against common pests all year long.

Ongoing Termite Prevention

If you’ve experienced a termite infestation in the past, our Termite Protection Plan is an annual program that will ensure termites don’t find their way back into your home. Available to customers whose properties received a whole structure treatment or a clean bill-of-wood-health from Lloyd, our protection plan is a transferable drywood and subterranean termite guarantee that lasts the lifetime of your home and includes:

• A free annual inspection to ensure we’re keeping termites away.
• Early detection of termites and wood-destroying invaders so we can help stop problems before they take hold of your home.
• Prompt eradication treatments for any termites that try to settle in your home. Even if it becomes necessary to fumigate your home again, we will provide this service at no charge.

Note: Our Termite Protection Plans are policies that include an annual premium.

Seasonal Pests in Southern California

Every year, a multitude of pests converge in Southern California. Depending upon the weather, some pests are more prone to infest your home or business due to their specific breeding season or need for man-made shelters for food and survival.

January through March

At the beginning of the year, pests are searching high and low for warmth and easily accessible food sources. Without professional pest control in place from Lloyd, your home could be a haven for cold, hungry insects and wildlife. Additionally, as we move into spring, certain pests become more active as they seek out areas to colonize with nearby food sources.

The most common pests calls we receive from January through March include:

• Rodents
• Spiders
• Silverfish
• Subterranean termites

Note: Subterranean termites begin to swarm in early spring.

April through June

With spring in full swing and summer right around the corner, pests in SoCal have gained a foothold establishing their numbers in the warmer weather. As they seek out food sources to feed their colonies, they can easily make their way into your home if it’s not protected.

The most common pests calls we receive from April through June include:

• Ants
• Fleas
• Earwigs
• Spiders

July through September

As the hottest three months of the year, July, August, and September continue to provide the perfect climate for a plethora of pests. Many pests we see from April to June are still thriving, and their drive to nourish their colonies hasn’t waned.

Pests we frequently treat from July through September include:

• Ants
• Fleas
• Earwigs
• Spiders
• Drywood termites

Note: Drywood termite swarmers begin to take flight in September.

October through December

During the final three months of the year, temperatures start to drop again—meaning pests will begin seeking out a comfortable place to survive through the winter. During October and November, drywood termites are still out and about, too, searching for any exposed wood to sink their teeth into.

Autumnal pests we commonly treat from October through December include:

• Spiders
• Drywood termites
• Ants
• Fleas
• Earwigs
• Rodents

Year-Round Pests

On top of all the seasonal pests we treat, there are a few outliers that are just as likely to infiltrate your home any time of the year, including:

• Bed bugs
• Roaches
• Nuisance birds

Prevent Pests All Year Long with Quarterly Pest Control Services

With so many pests trying to knock down your door all year long, quarterly pest control services from Lloyd will help to keep your home protected—no matter what pests are in season. Give us a call today to discuss unique, annual pest control programs built for your property type and location. When you choose Lloyd Pest Control, the bug stops here!

The post How Often Should Pest Control Be Done at Your House? first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.

Why We Need to Pest-Proof Our Properties

You may think you only need pest control after you notice an infestation, but you should take action long before that. Spiders are scary enough when they swing down out of nowhere. But what’s even more frightening is that they may have been lurking in your home for weeks before you see them. The same is true for many other pests: By the time you see them, your property may already be overrun. Stopping them from ever coming in saves you time and money – and staves off stress.

Know Your Most At-Risk Spots

The first step to prevent pest invasions is having an understanding of where on your property they’re likely to enter. We’d like to think we’re insulated from the outdoors, but no building is perfect. Tiny insects like flies and ants squeeze through the smallest of holes. Even larger pests like mice and rats also fit inside narrow gaps as small as a dime. That doesn’t even factor in their teeth, which allow them to chew through drywall and other building materials.

The size and mobility of pests make them a constant threat to your property. After sneaking in through vulnerable spots, they settle in dark, tight spaces – feeding and growing their populations undetected. As they multiply, pests make life for home and business owners incredibly difficult. These are the common at-risk spots on your property:

• Walls and ceilings
• Siding and roofing
• Doors
• Windows
• Crawl spaces
• Attics
• Vents and ducts
• Pipes

It’s important to closely monitor these areas of your home and do your best to close them off to pests.

Seal Doors and Windows

The most common entry points for pests are doors and windows. After all, they’re your home or business’ connection to the outside world. To keep out pests, fit your windows with screens if they don’t already have any, and replace any that have holes in them. Make sure your doors and windows close correctly to prevent gaping holes from rolling out a pest’s welcome mat. Look for any cracks in door and window frames, then seal any that you find with caulk. Weather stripping is also beneficial; it not only defends against the elements, but adds one more thing pests would have to get through.

Be Wary of Your Attic and Crawl Space

Since pests look for secluded spaces, attics are a prime location for them to settle down. A common attic dweller is the roof rat, which uses its strong climbing ability to get onto roofs and eventually into buildings. Flying insects also get up high into attics. To keep pests out, occasionally check your roof for holes, trim tree branches, and install a cap on your chimney (if it crosses through your attic).

Most Southern California homes don’t have basements, but many have crawl spaces. This three-foot-high area is like a shallow “basement,” but it’s usually reserved for plumbing and wiring. That makes it a perfect hideout for pests. Sealing openings is a good prevention technique. In addition, installing a crawl space vapor barrier prevents condensation from accumulating, and keeps away moisture-loving pests like silverfish, earwigs, centipedes, and more.

Watch Your Vents

While vents carry air outside, they may also allow pests inside. Most critters don’t like to be around flowing air (they don’t like the dry conditions), but vents may still play an important role for them: as tunnels to get to more hospitable locations. Two of the typical pest travel routes for homes and businesses are:

• Kitchen vents: If you own a restaurant, you probably have a ventilation system for safely removing steam from the kitchen. Pests use them to get inside, and since they come indoors seeking food and water, they flock to kitchens, too.
• Dryer vents: If you own a home with a dryer, your dryer vent gets rid of moist air. After entering through the laundry room, pests move to nearby kitchens and bathrooms in search of food, water, and shelter.

If you’re afraid your vents are vulnerable, update them to keep pests out. Get covers for any vent you fear might serve as a transportation route. Also, check to make sure that pests – specifically, rats – haven’t been chewing into any of your vents.

Take Care of Your Plumbing

Since most pests are attracted to water, the allure of pipes often brings them inside. Most pest problems related to plumbing also stem from a plumbing problem – typically, leaks. That’s why ants and roaches often end up in kitchens and bathrooms. It’s also why dampwood termites show up to munch on moist wood. Other pests may even cause blockage by gathering in pipes. If you notice a plumbing issue, get it fixed before pests make it worse.

Keep Containers Free of Pests

When your home or business is fortified against infestations, pests have to get creative. To the dismay of home and business owners, they often sneak in via containers, packages, and bags. A brief inspection of new ingredient shipments or grocery bags may catch them in the act. Be sure to quickly dispose of packaging as well. Cutting down on clutter is also key, as otherwise, pests that slip inside may hide in tightly packed areas.

Get the Professionals at Lloyd Pest Control

The best way to stop infestations is preventing them from happening at all, and that means focusing on the at-risk parts of your property. But when your own efforts aren’t enough, let the professionals give you a hand. At Lloyd Pest Control, we offer both residential and business pest control throughout Southern California. Our focus is on prevention, in addition to eradicating pests that may already be on your property. We’ll work with you closely to fortify your home or business against infestations. Contact us for a free quote.

The post Keeping Them Out: A Home and Business Guide to Pest Prevention first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.