What Attracts Pests to Baltimore Homes?
Homes attract pests in many ways, offering shelter, water and, often, easy sources of food. Crumbs, dirty plates, sugary spills and unsealed pantry items all make it too easy for bugs and rodents to thrive. These pests are experts at finding ways inside, from small openings around plumbing to open windows and doors.
What Attracts Pests to Baltimore Homes? (Cont'd)
While some pests are more damaging than others, the best way to prevent an infestation is to keep pests out in the first place. If they’ve already gotten in, it’s important to control them as quickly as possible.
How Aptive Environmental Helps Baltimore and East Washington, D.C. Businesses
Aptive pest specialists perform a thorough inspection and design a treatment plan that’s tailored to your business. Environmentally responsible pest control solutions keep your workplace free of bugs and rodents.
We prioritize the comfort and productivity of your employees—our methods minimize disruptions while maximizing effectiveness.
How to Keep Pests Away from Your Home
Most pest infestations in homes start with easy sources of food. Rodents, pantry pests and other bugs all thrive on crumbs, dirty plates, full garbage bags and unsealed dry foods. You can help avoid attracting pests into your home by storing food in metal or glass containers and practicing good cleaning habits.
Composting for Baltimore Homes
Composting can also bring pests to your home and garden. 30% of all household waste in the U.S. is organic materials and many people use composting to help reduce this waste. Unfortunately, this creates an easily accessible food source for pests. You can follow some quick tips to keep pests away from your compost pile and your home.
Composting for Baltimore Homes (Cont'd)
Bury your compost pile at least 8” in the ground so rodents can’t easily access it.
If you’re composting in a bin, block the opening with wire, sticks, rocks or anything else that will close it off from pests. Pour a layer of dirt or dried leaves on top to partially mask the smell of the food materials inside.
Which Pests Help the Composting Process?
Did you know that some pests, such as pill bugs and slugs, can help the composting process and benefit your garden soil? As these pests move through the material, they mix and aerate it, leaving behind natural fertilizer. However, these pests can quickly become a problem, damaging garden plants and flowers. If you notice pill bugs, snails or other pests, call Aptive right away to control them with a solution customized to your home.
Spring Pests Near Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
Ants are one of the most common pests around the world. These tiny insects become more active in the spring as temperatures rise. Cockroaches, though active all year, also become more active, multiplying quickly and potentially entering homes. Spiders love to hide in piles of debris around the yard or garden that might have built up while the weather was too cold to clear them.
Fall Pests Near Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
In the fall, rats and mice sometimes venture into homes looking for shelter for the winter. These rodents can cause serious damage to wiring, furniture and food as they build nests in walls, basements or attics. Other pests that don’t like the cold, including spiders and ants, might also look for ways indoors.
Winter Pests Near Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
During winter, rodents, ants, spiders and other pests hide in low-traffic areas to wait out the cold weather. While these pests overwinter in homes, cockroaches remain active. Roaches are nocturnal scavengers, making them difficult to spot as they search for food in the dark.
Winter Pests Near Baltimore and Washington, D.C. (Cont'd)
The Four Seasons Protection Plan from Aptive Environmental is specially designed to prevent pest infestations year-round by targeting each season’s most active pests. Call our Laurel branch today to schedule treatment for your home.