Springtime brings out the pests. Here's how to keep them out of your home

Springtime means warm days and open windows, but those can bring unwanted guests into our homes and gardens.

While insects provide an abundance of benefits for Indiana’s ecosystems, they can also be a nuisance, destroying plants and invading the home, to say nothing of the risk some can pose to human health.

Here’s a few tips and tricks to help keep the bugs away.

Create home barriers

Take a walk around the outside of your home on a nice day and look for any easy access points. Pay particular attention to the areas where pipes and wires enter the home as well as window and door frames.

Seal up any small openings with silicone-based caulk. You can wedge steel wool into any larger holes as insects tend to stay away from the rough strands.

Check for existing damage

While inspecting for openings, make sure to keep an eye out for evidence of pests that may have already started damaging the home.

Pests leave all kinds of waste behind; look for dropped wings, skin sheds, empty egg sacs and or droppings.

Termites create visible mud tubes leading up to the home and when they bore into soft wood it can sound hollow when tapped.

Keep the pests at bay

Trimming back landscaping plants away from the house helps keep pests away. A low-cut lawn also helps.

Make sure downspouts and other water sources aren’t creating puddles near the home. Make sure gutters aren’t clogged as the standing water can attract bugs.

Mosquitoes are a special nuisance as some species carry disease. Make sure there are no places standing water can pool, since mosquitoes need only a very small amount to lay eggs.

Tidy up the interior

Pests are opportunistic and will find food wherever it’s available.  Keep kitchens clean and make sure most foods are stored in sealed containers.

Run the vacuum or sweep and keep pet bowls and the surrounding areas clean.

Check under sinks and around the tub and shower to make sure there is no build up of moisture. A dehumidifier can help when it gets humid.

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Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk

IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Tips and tricks to keep your home pest free