When the temperature drops, people look for cozy places to snuggle up and get warm. Animals look for warm places, too, and this includes our homes.
Cockroaches, spiders and rodents are annoying pests that can cause real issues and infestations if you don’t take proper precautions. Pests can cause structural damage as they gnaw through wires or nest in insulation while others carry diseases like Salmonella and Hantavirus and most spread bacteria quickly with their droppings and saliva.
Rodents like mice and rats can be found in your home wherever there is air flow near their food sources. They get in through small holes and live in your basement, walls, attic, crawl spaces, behind cabinets, air ducts and venting systems. Some mice even burrow inside your home’s insulation. Rodents are nocturnal and will try to avoid seeing you at all costs – unless they are hungry and desperate for food.
Proactive maintenance and prevention can help protect your home from pests this winter. Get in touch with Contractor’s Best for your family’s indoor and outdoor pest control needs.
Here are a few tips to consider as you defend your home against pests.
Keep food and garbage properly stowed away: Storing food in airtight containers and properly disposing of garbage is essential for keeping bugs outside your home. Clean countertops, closed jars and sealed containers are good for you home and hard for bugs.
Consider a chimney cap: Installing a chimney cap will keep rodents, bats and birds out during the winter months. Installing a 1 ¼ inch wire mesh in the attic also keeps rodents out.
Get rid of the woodpile: If there is a woodpile 20 feet high close to your home or if there are trees and shrubs near your home, remove them. They are a welcome hiding place for bugs.
Double check the windows and doors: Look for holes and tears in the screens that would allow pests to enter your home – no matter how small the hole may be. Either mend the tears or replace the screens as needed.
Seal your cracks and crevices: Seal cracks and crevices around windows and doors using caulk, weather-stripping or silicone. Be sure to clean the areas first and remove old caulk to be sure the new caulk sticks properly. Installing a rubber seal at the bottom of your garage door and sliding glass doors can also help keep bugs out and the heat in.
