Mosquitoes, Stink bugs, and wasps no longer pose a threat during the winter, but pests like mice and cockroaches do.
Frigid temperatures bring pests indoors seeking shelter and a reliable food source. Pests hideout in cabinets, inside drawers, and other discrete locations, oftentimes noticed only when you turn on a light in the middle of the night or notice feces left behind the following day. They bring with them the risk of disease and health problems, sanitation issues, and may damage the interior and exterior of your home.
Pest-Proof Your Home
Stay safe and protect your loved ones against unwanted house guests by pest-proofing your home now. The sooner you protect the home against pests, the better, though late is better later than never!
There are many strategies that can help keep pests out of your lawn and out of your home. To start the pest-proofing process, check out the following expert-recommended suggestions.
Pest-Proofing the Outside of the Home
Protect the home by pest-proofing the exterior, including the lawn. This prevents pest entry into the home or at least makes the task far more difficult. Here’s what you should do:
- Inspect the foundation of the home for cracks and crevices. If you notice even a hairline crack, seal it quickly to keep pests out of the home. Steel wool and caulk work best for this project since sealants may break off during the winter.
- Screen the vents and chimney to prevent pests from crawling inside.
- Do not plant shrubbery close to the home since this can serve as a bridge to pests looking for a way inside.
- Store firewood and other wood objects at least 20-feet from the home.
- Repair cracks and broken insulation around doors and windows
Pest-Proof Entry Points
Entry points like front doors and sliding glass doors should be pest-proofed for winter. To do so, use the following suggestions:
- Insulate all doorways
- Ensure doors have been installed properly
- Repair any damage, i.e. missing mesh screens, cracks, etc.
- Install a door sweeper to sweep debris and insects from the door each time it closes or opens
Interior Pest-Proofing Ideas
Once you’ve pest-proofed exterior areas, double down on pest protection by putting the interior defense in place. It’s much better than dealing with an infestation later. A few ideas:
- Store food inside airtight containers on countertops away from the floor.
- Sweep floors daily and clean off food from countertops and tables to avoid attracting pests.
- Repair cracks, insulation, or other damage in the garage and basement. These two areas usually serve as the first entry point pests enter.
- Check for and repair clogged drains and leaking pipes
- Keep outside garbage container as far away from the house as possible
Active Winter Pests
Most common winter pests that can find warm space, comfort, and food in your home include:
- Spiders: Fall and winter months bring spiders indoors. They’re often found in basements, attics, and crawl spaces but can be found anywhere in the home. Spiders lay eggs indoors, which can lead to major infestations.
- Rodents: Rodent infestation problems occur as pests crawl into homes through cracks and crevices. Trapping rodents once they’re in the home is difficult. Rodents harbor disease and parasites like ticks.
Protecting your home against winter pests is the best route of action. If you want to know more about how to do this, give the professionals at Southern Pride Pest Company a call. We’ll give you a no-obligation estimate, answer questions or do whatever we can to help.
Southern Pride Pest Control is a full-service pest control company headquartered in Muscle Shoals, AL. SPPC specializes in pest control and prevention services including termite control, rodent control, bed bug control, ant control, mosquito control, and can even help with moisture control around your residence or commercial property. Established in 2010, Southern Pride Pest Control is a reliable source for quality pest-management solutions delivered by a team you can trust.
Call us today for any of your pest control needs.
