The winter season can be tough, even in normally mild Buford, GA. As the temperatures start to drop, area homeowners often find that themselves sharing their properties with some uninvited guests.
Pest problems soar during the cold winter months, as creatures who have been spending their summers outdoors look for a warmer place to stay. Here are some of the pests that could invade your home this winter – and what you can do to send them packing.
Mice and Rats
Mice and rats love a warm home, and they can squeeze through even the smallest holes in your exterior. Now is the time to check your home for possible intrusion, before a single pair of mice or rats turns into a huge infestation.
Start by looking for signs of rats and mice in your home – things like dropping, nibbled food and strange noises in the night. If you suspect you already have an infestation, you should call a pest control professional to get rid of the uninvited visitors.
Bugs and Other Creepy Crawlies
As the summer turns to winter, you may notice an uptick in six and eight-legged visitors to your home. From stink bugs to spiders, these creepy crawlies will do whatever they can to make your home their own.
Look for signs that these bugs have moved in, like cobwebs in the corners and ant trails through the kitchen. You can try to deal with a small insect infestation on your own, but for major problems it is best to call a pest control professional.
Squirrels
If you have trees near your Buford, GA home, you might have squirrels in your attic when the weather turns cold. Squirrels love a warm house as much as you do, and if they can get in, they probably will.
It is important to squirrel-proof your home before the winter weather arrives. If you wait until squirrels have invaded your home, you could be looking at a costly eviction, so prevention is always the best defense. Things like trimming overhanging branches and sealing up your attic can keep these playful but destructive creatures out of your home this winter.
If you want to keep your home free of pests this winter, you need to prepare now. There are things you can do to make your home less attractive to rats, mice, insects, squirrels and other winter guests. From storing your leftovers properly to setting traps to catch invaders, these simple steps can keep those winter pests at bay and help you enjoy your home all winter long.
