Pests want to get cozy in your home during colder months. They’re searching for the warmth, shelter, food, and water your house provides. You can keep your home protected this fall with these pest-proofing tips.
What Are You Protecting Against?
First, you need to know what you’re dealing with. Common fall pests in North Carolina include roaches, beetles, spiders, rodents, ants, and fleas.
Make sure your family pets are up to date on flea prevention because fleas are still active in the fall.
Block Out Some Time
Getting your home ready to ward off bugs and rodents this season will take a few simple home maintenance projects and a little time.
Prepare Your Yard for Fall
This is the biggest time commitment, but it’s essential to pest control for several reasons. A well-maintained lawn is less inviting to pests. You can remove available shelter by mowing grass and raking leaves as they fall. The result will be fewer places for undesirable pests like fleas to lay in wait. Tree and shrub branches can act as bug highways. Keeping them trimmed at least 18” away from your house helps remove direct paths to your home.
Block Access
The more difficult it is to get inside your home, the more likely it is that a pest will move on to seek food and shelter elsewhere. Consider installing a chimney cap to keep pests of all sizes from getting into your attic. Seal small gaps around pipes and windows with spray foam or caulk.
Remove food sources
Like every living being, insects and rodents need food and water to survive. Firewood is beetle food, so it’s best to store it well away from the house and only bring in what you need when you need it. Maintaining clean gutters will keep rainwater from getting trapped and turning into a pest water fountain.
Keep an Eye Out
Be on the lookout for common signs of pest infestation like:
- Droppings
- Unusual smells
- Plant damage
- Strange Sounds
Ongoing Prevention
Keeping up with regular household tasks can significantly reduce your risk of pest infestation.
- Vacuum regularly to take away food sources and remove fleas, ants, or any other small pests that may be hiding in your carpets
- Store pet food and pantry items in sealed containers
- Wipe down counters and load the dishwasher nightly
- Declutter often, paying particular attention to kitchen and bathroom cabinets
It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is; there are always pests looking for food, water, and shelter.
Our Seasonal Pest Control Guide has a list of the troublesome pests you can expect to see each season. The best defense is a licensed technician’s assessment and treatment plan. Contact us here to get year-round protection for your home.
Recent Comments