Make sure that your home is protected against pests this spring. Spring is the time of year when pests return, and you are going to want to make sure that your home is ready to fight back against the pests. The more proactive you are, the less treatment you'll have to worry about, including cockroach and bed bug extermination.

Trim Back Your Plants

First, you are going to want to make sure that all of your bushes and plants are trimmed back away from your house. You don't want to have bushes right against your home. Having bushes touching your home makes it easier for pests to make their way from your bushes to your home.

You are also going to want to keep mulch away from your home as well. You want a couple foot barrier between any mulch and plants and your home.

Seal Your Windows

Second, you are going to want to make sure that you make it hard for pests to get into your home. One of the most common ways for pests to get in is around your windows. Check around your windows and make sure that they are properly sealed. You can apply sealant around your windows to ensure that there are no cracks around your windows. Check your screens as well, and make sure that they fit properly and don't have any rips in them. If the screens do have rips in them, pack them up or replace them.

Get Rid of Standing Water

Third, you are going to want to get rid of standing water as well. Standing water can attract pests to your home. A variety of pests enjoy standing water, from mosquitoes and flies, to cockroaches.

Walk around the outside of your house and look for areas where water has built-up. Turn over any containers that are filled with standing water. Check and see if there are any natural areas of standing water, and get rid of those as well.

Seal Up Holes

Fourth, make sure that there are not any other ways for pests to get into your home.  Walk around your home and look for small cracks in the foundation, holes around vents, or opening around areas where cables enter your home. If you find any openings into your home, you are going to want to seal them up with expandable foam.

This spring, fight back against the pests by sealing your windows and any external holes that pests can use to get into your home. Trim plants and push mulch away from your home and get rid of any sources of standing water as well.