Have you been living too long with pest control problems? This year, make sure one of your resolutions includes getting rid of those pests and living in a clean, calm environment. Getting a visit from R and C Pest Control can make all the difference in your 2014. After we eliminate any infestations, start practicing these DIY pest control tips to help make sure the end of 2014 is as joyous (and pest-free) as the beginning!

DIY Pest Control for a Happier New Year

Schedule the pantry cleaning: When was the last time you cleaned out your pantry or food cupboard? If you have to think about it, you may not be doing it often enough. Mark your calendar to give your pantry a clean sweep once each season. This means tossing out old, stale foods, wiping up crumbs and checking for signs of pests. Old food can attract any number of household pests, like pantry moths, ants, mice and roaches.

Keep food in sealed containers: That open cereal box might not be cutting it in the packaging department. To further safeguard your pantry and cupboards against unwanted pests, keep all open foods in air-tight containers. This includes cereal, crackers, flour and other baking ingredients.

Close up drafts and cracks: This DIY pest-control tip wipes out two birds (maybe pigeons!) with one stone. By sealing up cracks in your doors, window casings and baseboards, you’ll not only improve your energy efficiency, but you’ll also make it much harder for bugs to find their way indoors.

Clean the gutters: This may be a job you like to put off (or hand over to someone else), but cleaning the gutters goes a long way toward DIY pest control. Wet, moist leaves, dirt and other debris are the perfect breeding ground for roaches, and other pests.

Need more help? Call R and C to keep your 2014 happy (and pest-free!)

If your list of New Year’s resolutions include some traveling plans, you’re probably not alone. Getting out of town is on the do-list of many Americans. And while that vacation might be relaxing (and no doubt well deserved), what’s not relaxing is coming back home with a suitcase full of bed bugs. Or just a few. It doesn’t take many bed bugs to start an infestation that can keep you scratching for months.

This year, regardless of where your travel plans take you, try to avoid bringing these little souvenirs home. Don’t worry; we’ll help you know what to look for.

Avoiding Bed Bugs While Traveling

If you’ve ever had a problem with bed bugs, you likely already know the signs of an infestation. When you check into your hotel, carefully scour the room for any of these signs. These include dark marks on the mattress and especially in the seams, dark-colored shells or casings or of course – seeing a bed bug itself.

A common misconception is that bed bugs are always found in the bed. While this is a common place for them to hide, they actually are happy anywhere dark and relatively quiet. For instance, behind electrical outlets, baseboards and heavy curtains. Shake the curtains in your room and inspect the outlets for signs of bed bugs.

If you see no signs of bed bugs, still be cautious of where you stow your luggage. Keep it off the floor so that there is no easily accessible “bridge” for bed bugs to cross. Be sure you keep your luggage off the carpet while you’re inspecting the room as well – a tiled bathroom is a good place to keep it.

If you see signs of bed bugs, or wake up with bites, contact your hotel management immediately. While they may offer to switch you rooms, you may be better served to find a new hotel altogether – but don’t forget to check that room thoroughly as well.

Bed Bugs in America

We put together this little infographic to show some amazing statistics about these unpleasant critters. Learn anything new?

Here’s to a well-traveled (but bed bug free) New Year!