The Importance of Pest Control in the Winter (For 2020)
The end of summer does not mean the end of pests.
Sure, the more annoying pest problems like mosquitoes and wasps may be out of your hair (literally and figuratively) but now pests like mice, cockroaches, bed bugs, and spiders are trying to make their way into the comfort of your home.
These pests are looking to seek shelter from the colder temperatures, and unfortunately warm homes seem like invite them in as well.
It is essential to take cautionary measures to keep pest out because they can do more than startle you when you see a cobweb. Spiders can bite, leading to major side effects, cockroaches can be a springboard for allergies and asthma, and rodents can carry diseases like Hantavirus and Salmonella.
Here are some handy tips that homeowners can use to help stop these winter pests from crashing your home during the winter months.
- Seal cracks and holes on the exterior of your home to help stop rodents from getting inside. Make sure to check the spots where utilities and pipes enter the home. Mice can fit through holes the size of a dime.
- Replace weather stripping and loose mortar around your basements foundation and windows.
- Keep firewood at least 20 feet from your home and make sure that it is stacked off the ground. Ants and mice can make their homes and like to build their nests in wood piles & can easily get into your home if the pile is nearby. Stacking wood aids in maintaining airflow helps reduce moisture which attracts insects.
- Rodents can hide in clutter, make sure to keep storage areas neat and tidy & store boxes up off of the floor.
- Get rid of all moisture sites, including leaky pipes and clogged drains. Pay extra attention to bathrooms and kitchens as these areas are especially vulnerable to cockroach infestations.
- Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens to windows.
- Screen vents to chimneys. Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
The winter months bring enough worry about damage to your home with wind, snow and frost.
By following the above tips there is an increased likelihood that you home won’t experience other seasonal problems due to pests.
When pests are kept out, your residence becomes becomes a healthier place to host events and to spend time with family & that is what this time of year should be about.
Even after taking these preventative steps, sometimes, it really is best to call on the services of a professional than to try and take care of it yourself.
This is especially true if the problem is ongoing, the infestation has become large or the products that you have to use are only authorized for use by a professional. Winter time gives exterminators time to take extra focus the inside of residences, spotting new problems that owners did not know they even had.
Inspection is the focal point here so that the property will be prepared for when the warmer months return. Spiders and mice tend to be the biggest issue during the winter months. Spider webs are disposed of and overrun areas treated in addition to other areas that they are likely to try and re-infest.
Rodent activity is monitored in areas residents do not spend much time in (crawl spaces, attics…etc) to avoid owners seeing signs of activity in higher traffic areas.
Full attic treatments are another important aspect of pest control in the winter. Pests like carpenter ants, box elder bugs and cluster flies remain dormant in attics until the warmer months return. If and when this happens, your property will require an extensive treatment. Dusting your attic is a good preventative measure.
