Pest Proofing Tips for Winter
The cooler weather is fast approaching which means that the household heating will soon be coming on, which in turns makes your home a nice inviting place for rodents and bugs.
In order to pest proof your home for the winter months then the following seasonal tips can help:
Outdoors:
Check weather stripping around doors and windows and replace if required.
Crawl space vents should be equipped with tight fitting screens. Repair any damaged screens which may be torn.
Repairing any leaks under sinks, behind tubs and around drains. Seal around drains and faucets. Also place small screens over floor drains to keep pests from crawling in.
Insects like damp conditions, so in preparation for winter run a dehumidifier in the basement ensuring it is well ventilated and dry. Winter does tend to be very dry, some are milder than others which can make areas in your home more humid.
Replace or repair any screens that may be torn.
Repair any loose mortar around the basement Organic Pest Management Solutions foundation and around windows.
Caulk any cracks and crevices around windows, electrical outlets and baseboards.
Potential entry points such as clothes dryer vents, basement window frames, plumbing or electrical entrances should also be caulked or screened. These are common areas for rodents, ants and spiders.
Seal off any dog or cat doors as they extend an invitation for pests to enter.
Keep your garage door closed as much as possible.
Don’t store items in the attic in cardboard boxes. This will be easy for pests such as rodents to get into as they can gnaw their way through easily, providing a nice warm home for them. Store items in plastic boxes instead.
Store firewood away at least 20 feet away from the home and 5 feet off the ground.
Keep garbage cans covered and ensure they are emptied regularly. Additionally do not store them directly on the ground, store them raised on blocks.
Keep tree branches and shrubbery well trimmed and away from the house.
Repair fascia and soffits and rotted roof shingles as some insects are drawn to rotting wood.
Indoors
Don’t encourage feeding of pests by cleaning up any crumbs that are dropped immediately and ensuring food is stored in the sealed containers.
Inspect boxes, grocery bags and other packaging Natural Pest Controlling Methods Wikipedia material thoroughly for any hitchhikers.
Keep glass and canned items on the bottom of your pantry and move boxes and plastic wrapped items to the top shelves. You can additionally empty those items into plastic, sealing containers to make access even harder.
Store open food items, such as fruits and vegetables in the fridge or in sealed containers.
Keep closets free from clutter by storing items in hard plastic totes.
Inspect your home inside and out for any signs of pest activity. If you don’t have a home pest control maintenance plan then perhaps think about one, but do your research first before you sign up to any contract. It’s always preferable to …