Spring is here!

As we pass the halfway point of May it can feel like winter is a distant memory. Most of us are high on the newfound sense of vitality, optimism and joie de vivre that come with the turning of the season. Now is the perfect time to throw open the windows, play your music extra loud, and dive into the time honored tradition of spring cleaning.

It’s the perfect time to dive into the nooks and crannies of the home for a deep clean that will get the house looking and feeling fresh and new. The time to rid ourselves of clutter and the psychological toll it takes on us, keeping restfulness at bay and distracting us as we enjoy the privacy and safety of our homes. It’s also the perfect time to get social; inviting friends and relatives that we haven’t seen since forever to relax in the comfort of our homes.

But while we may be filled with a desire to fill the house with guests, there are a few unexpected guests who may be trying to get into your home in spring.

As the weather warms, many creatures great and small will have awakened from hibernation over the past few months and become increasingly adventurous in their search for food. While we don’t want to flood our homes with noxious chemicals, nor do we want to harm any living creatures if we can possibly avoid it, we must make sure our home is free of…

Snakes

If you live in a warm state like Texas or Florida, the snakes will likely start slithering out of their winter nests and getting bold in their search for new food sources. Although snakes are rarely harmful if you keep a respectful distance from them they can be a potential danger to young children and pets. If you see a snake in your home call an ethical exterminator; view Wildlife Removal Services for an example. They will help you to not only remove the snake but help you to identify points of ingress in the home to prevent them from sneaking back in.

Rats and rodents

Rats and mice are persistent scavengers all year round but they can be particularly adventurous when the weather gets warm. While small rodents pose a minimal bite risk, their droppings can be extremely harmful to babies, children and pets so it’s important to clean up after them properly when you find them. Use humane traps to prevent them from wreaking havoc in your home. Deter them from returning by caulking cracks in your walls (however small) and treat any former points of ingress with a strong smelling solution. Rodents return less often if you leave them nothing to be tempted with, so be sure to clean up after yourself thoroughly when cooking.

Raccoons

They might look cute, but your average raccoon is no Guardian of the Galaxy. They’re determined scavengers who have little respect for your right to privacy (and unspoiled food). They can be destructive and carry diseases which are harmful to humans. They are smart enough to run from larger animals (like us) but they can bite or scratch if cornered. It’s best to enlist an expert in getting them out safely as their behavior can be unpredictable.

Stay vigilant and you and your guests will be the only ones enjoying your home this spring.