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Pest Control Tips
Best practices to keep your home and property pest-free year-round.
Preventing pests is far easier — and less costly — than eliminating an infestation. Follow these expert tips from Eagle Pest Control to protect your home, family, and property.
Seal Entry Points
- Inspect your home's foundation, walls, and roof for cracks or gaps and seal them with caulk or steel wool.
- Install door sweeps on all exterior doors, including garage doors, to block ground-level entry.
- Repair or replace damaged window and door screens — even small tears can let insects inside.
- Seal gaps around utility pipes, cables, and vents where they enter the building.
- Check the weatherstripping around doors and windows and replace any that is worn or missing.
- Use your pinky — any hole you can fit your pinky in, a rodent can get through and needs to be sealed.
Eliminate Food & Water Sources
- Store all food — including pet food — in airtight containers. Never leave food sitting out on counters overnight.
- Empty and clean pet food and water bowls each evening to avoid attracting insects and rodents.
- Fix leaky faucets, pipes, and appliances promptly — standing water is a major attractant for many pests.
- Keep garbage cans tightly sealed and take trash out regularly, especially food waste.
- Clean up crumbs and spills immediately, and wipe down counters and stovetops after cooking.
Maintain a Clean Home
- Keeping a clean home creates a unfriendly environment for pest.
- Declutter storage areas such as basements, attics, and garages — clutter provides ideal harborage for pests.
- Wash bedding, curtains, and other soft furnishings frequently, especially if you suspect a bed bug issue.
- Dispose of cardboard boxes promptly — cardboard is a favored hiding spot for cockroaches and bed bugs.
- Keep drains clean and free of organic buildup, which can attract drain flies and cockroaches.
Outdoor & Yard Maintenance
- Keep firewood stacked away from the house and off the ground — wood piles attract carpenter ants and rodents.
- Try to keep 18 inches around your home free of vegetation. Trimming tree branches and shrubs away from your home is also helpful.
- Remove standing water from gutters, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, and tarps after rain.
- Mow your lawn regularly and keep grass short — tall grass and weeds provide shelter for many pests.
- Move mulch, rocks, and landscaping materials at least 12 inches away from your home's foundation.
Seasonal Precautions
- In fall, inspect your home thoroughly for entry points as pests seek warmth before winter sets in.
- In spring, check for signs of overwintering pests such as cluster flies and rodents that may have moved in during winter.
- Be vigilant of stinging insects starting in May and June— inspect eaves, decks, and play equipment for new nests bi-weekly and more if its a bad season.
When to Call a Professional
- If you see live insects or rodents during the day, it often signals a large infestation — contact Eagle Pest Control promptly.
- Bed bugs, carpenter ants, and stinging insects require specialized treatments — We advise that you do not attempt to handle these on your own.
- DIY methods haven't resolved the problem within two weeks, it's time to call in Eagle Pest Control.
- Unusual sounds in walls or ceilings (scratching, scurrying) are a strong indicator of a rodent problem requiring professional attention.
- We advise you not to disturb a large wasp, hornet, or yellow jacket nest yourself — professional removal is the safest option.
Need Professional Help?
Even with the best prevention habits, pests can still find a way in. Eagle Pest Control & Tree Service is here to help with fast, effective, and safe treatments for homes and businesses across Anchorage, Eagle River, the Mat-Su Valley, and the Kenai Peninsula.
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