Home Pest Fall: Pest Proof Your Home for Fall with These Tips
The cold weather brings people indoors, including pests. You get nicely, cozy, and warmly wrapped in your blanket on the couch. When you get comfortable, you notice a mouse hightailing across the floor. It’s the last thing you want to be bothered with, but pests, including cockroaches, mice, certain spiders, and rats, have unusual life cycles. They don’t die off as quickly with seasonal change as many insects. These pests can make a home within your home during cooler temperatures, potentially creating health risks for you and your family.
Fortunately, there are things you can do in the fall to reduce the risk of pests in your home. Consider the following tips recommended by pest experts to pest-proof your home.
Screen off openings such as pet doors, mail slots, chimneys, and attic vents to prevent small animals and pests from entering your home.
Keep areas such as crawl spaces and basements dry and well-ventilated. Pests get into these areas and make their home because of the moisture. Prevent moisture buildup to keep them out.
Check for cracks and crevices around your home and seal them with caulk. Some pests can crawl into small cracks to get into your home.
Clean your kitchen countertops regularly and use airtight containers to store food. Ensure garbage cans are closed properly. Any crumbs or loose garbage can attract pests looking for food.
Check for loose mortar around your home and worn-out weather stripping on windows. Repair as needed to keep out pests and cold air.
Keep firewood further away from your home and shrubs trimmed. These are common areas pests like to hide. Keeping them further away from your home to encourage them to stay outside.
Repair window and door screens. Be mindful about keeping your doors and windows open. Some pests come in through these openings, especially if a screen is torn, a door doesn’t close properly due to a gap, or you left a window open near where pests could be hiding outdoors.
Check boxes, bags, furniture, and anything that was sitting outside that you plan to bring indoors. Some pests like to hide in these places and hitch a ride into your home.
Avoid leaving pet food bowls with food on the floor for extended times. Pests go after pet food as well as human food. Pet food bowls left unattended for long periods could become pest magnets.
Prevent water and moisture from collecting in and around your home. Ensure your drainage system works properly to drain water away from your home. Fix gutters and make repairs as needed to discourage water collecting close to your home. Water, moisture, and leaks can become a food source and attract pests.
Use these tips to help prevent a pest infestation in your home during the winter. Use the fall season to inspect your home and make plans for improvements before winter hits. If you have concerns about pests in your home, don’t hesitate to contact your local pest professional.
