Picture this: You have a long, tiring day, and all you can think about is getting home and relaxing in your hot tub. You switch on the hot tub, get ready to get in, and suddenly, you discover it’s not vacant! There are little bugs swimming on top of the water, other bugs jumping out of the water, carpenter ants crawling all over the sides, and- gasp! A dead mouse floating in the hot tub. Ok, it’s unlikely that all of those things would be going on at once, but the point is, your hot tub is inviting to more species than just humans. How can you keep out these unwelcomed guests and enjoy your hot tub the way you intended to enjoy it? We have some suggestions for home pest control that extends to your yard and your hot tub.
- The first and perhaps most important move is to use a hot tub cover. This solves a world of problems, keeping out insects that might want a swim or might accidentally fall into it, while also keeping out rodents and other animals that might want to take a little drink. Keep the cover on any time you are not using the hot tub, and don’t let anyone sit on it or put things on its surface. It is important to keep the cover in pristine condition, because the better it fits your hot tub, the more effective it will be at keeping out unwanted critters.
- Next, avoid bringing any food around the hot tub. If you think about it, this is common sense if you know how to keep pests out of your home. A big part of home pest control is keeping all food put away so that it doesn’t draw their interest. It only makes sense, then, that food around the hot tub would invite pests. Don’t eat snacks while you soak, and don’t feed any animals near it, either. One thing to consider is that raccoons will find any food that’s left out, and they will want to find a convenient water source so that they can wash it. Unless you want raccoons cleaning their dinner in your hot tub, it’s best to keep all types of food far away from it. In fact, even a bird feeder too close to the hot tub is a risk.
- Make sure the hot tub cabinet is in good repair. Inspect it regularly for cracks and gaps that could allow pests to get inside it. Bees and wasps will zip through cracks in search of water, and rodents will try to get into the cabinet for shelter and warmth. Once they’re inside, they’ll make themselves at home, making a nest and chewing on wiring. Because rodents can squeeze through gaps that are smaller than one inch wide, it’s important to seal any gaps as soon as possible. What’s more, if the wood is wet or rotten, it’s likely to attract carpenter ants, and once the discover your hot tub they can eat through the wood and use the insulation as a nest. Maintaining your hot tub cabinet goes a long way towards keeping intruders at bay.
- Keep your water chemistry in balance. When you properly treat the water, it makes the hot tub more enjoyable for human bathers. Reptiles and amphibians, on the other hand, prefer natural water to treated water. Keep your water chemistry healthy and balanced, and you’ll discourage frogs and toads from taking a dip.
- The landscape around your hot tub with plants that keep the bugs away. This is a major factor in lawn pest control as well, so take the time to plan a landscape design that incorporates plants that have bug-repellent properties. These include mint, citronella, rosemary, petunias, geraniums, lemongrass, and lavender.
- Use your hot tub! This is the most entertaining way to keep pests away. They’re unlikely to approach the tub when people are in it, so the more you use your hot tub, the less likely it is to become infested. This is a win-win: you get to have fun in the hot tub while discouraging pest activity.
Of course, another great way to keep pests away from your home, lawn, and hot tub is to partner with a pest removal company. When you are looking for a reliable pest removal service near Milwaukee, Advanced Wildlife Control has got you covered. Advanced Wildlife Control is a family owned business, and we understand that when you call us, it’s about more than just pest control: it’s about protecting what you love. That’s why we are passionate about helping families by providing the highest quality service to protect your home about nuisance pests and critters. For over 35 years, we have been Wisconsin’s top exterminators, providing pest control and peace of mind for homes and businesses throughout the Milwaukee Metro area, including the Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, and Ozaukee counties. We provide premier humane wildlife removal and pest control services seven days a week, and our services are 100 percent guaranteed. For more information about how our family business can be here for your family or business, call (262) 456-3442 or contact us through our website.