Environmental Advice
Need any help with these suggestions? Our Home Services Team may be able to help!
Suggested Environmental Modifications and Maintenance
 A
successful pest management program will require your support and cooperation.
As a courtesy we have provided the following checklist to help make your home
or business less attractive to invading pests.
- Trim all vegetation away from the structure; a minimum
of 8-10 inches is preferred. Make sure to keep grass mowed and avoid dense
groundcover within 3 feet of the building. Vegetation and the shelter it provides
may allow insects or rodents entry.
- Refrain from stacking storage or wood products up against
the structure.
- Keep yourself aware of the conditions surrounding your
structure, paying particular attention to landscaping materials such as bark
that may be up against the siding. Remove any earth to wood contacts.
- Closely inspect areas where pipes, wires, cables and the
like enter your building for gaps. These holes can allow rodent and insect
entry. Medium grade steel wool works well to seal holes of this type. Remember
a mouse only needs 1/4 of an inch to gain entry into a structure. Additional
Rodent prevention information.
- Be sure to routinely remove any wet debris such as fallen
leaves or moss from your roof, making sure to pay special attention to valleys
and gutter areas. Insects can survive quite well in a pile of wet leaves!
This is a good time to check for tree branches that may be in need of trimming.
- Repair any leaky roof, gutter or plumbing problems, again
removing any excessive moisture that will encourage insect activity.
- Weather permitting, remove sub-area vend covers during
the spring and summer. This will allow additional ventilation and reduce the
likelihood of excessive moisture conditions.
These maintenance items help us provide high quality pest solutions
to our clients. While providing services our trained technicians are always
looking for conditions that may contribute to any pest problems. Customer satisfaction
is a high priority at Good Earth Pest Company and it is our ultimate goal to
meet our clients pest control needs. Don't hesitate to contact our office or
through our website via e-mail if you have any questions.
Pet Food: Pet food and water should never be left out
overnight, inside or outside. Store pet food in containers with tight fitting
lids, preferably in metal garbage can style containers.
Open Doors: An open door just increases the possibility of rodent entry.
All doors, including garage doors, should be kept closed when not in use. Check
weather-stripping especially on bottom of exterior doors to make sure it is
in serviceable condition.
Bird/Squirrel Feeders: We recommend removing feeders in close proximity
of structures. If removing them is not an option, keep them clean and don't
allow birdseed or squirrel feed to accumulate under the feeder. We also recommend
that you store excess feed in sealed metal containers.
Fruit & Vegetables: Refrain from leaving ripe fruit, vegetables,
or fallen nuts under trees or in the garden. A readily available food source
will encourage rodent activity. Food items should be stored inside refrigerators
or containers with tight fitting lids.
Pet Feces: As bad as this sounds, pet feces provide a food source for
rodents. We recommend that you pick up pet feces on a regular basis and do not
allow it to accumulate in the yard.
Garbage: Garbage should never be stored in boxes or bags. Garbage cans
should be in good condition, without holes, and the lids should be tight-fitting.
Galvanized garbage cans are the preferred choice. Make sure that your recycle
storage is not encouraging rodent activity.
Compost Pile: If you compost make sure that your compost area is as far
from the structure as possible. Refrain from placing food products in your compost.
Firewood/Lumber/Debris: Do not store any piles of lumber or debris near
the structure. Always store lumber and firewood on a rack at least one foot
off the ground and a minimum of 2 feet from the structure.
Weeds/Grass/Bushes/Trees: Trim or remove any high grass, weeds, bushes,
or tree limbs away from the structure. A minimum of 2-foot clearance should
be between heavy vegetation and structure. Heavy ground covers should be reduced
or removed in close proximity to the structure and in other yard areas to increase
open space and lessen the areas that rodents will find shelter. Berry bushes
will provide food and shelter. We recommend that berries be trimmed or removed
around the structure.
Neighbors: Controlling rodents will be easier if the entire community
is taking all necessary precautions to make our homes or place of business less
appealing to rodents. Often it is the case that some of the conditions that
will encourage rodent activity are present at adjacent properties. If this is
the case we recommend speaking with your neighbors, if possible, and sharing
the above information with them.
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