How to Prevent Pests From Invading Your Home This Fall
As the weather cools down and we enter the cozy season of fall, pests are also seeking warmth and shelter—often right inside your home. While it’s great to enjoy pumpkin spice and warm sweaters, it’s not so pleasant to deal with uninvited critters sneaking in. To keep your home pest-free this fall, it’s essential to take preventative measures before pests make themselves at home.
In this article, we’ll walk you through some practical steps you can take to prevent pests from invading your home this fall.
1. Seal Gaps and Cracks
One of the most common ways pests get into your home is through tiny gaps and cracks in walls, doors, windows, and foundations. As temperatures drop, rodents, spiders, and insects will be actively looking for any openings to sneak inside.
Steps to seal gaps:
Inspect the exterior of your home for any visible gaps or cracks. Common areas to check include around windows, doors, and the foundation.
Use caulk to seal small cracks and gaps.
For larger holes, consider using expanding foam or steel wool, especially around pipes and utility lines.
Tip: Pay extra attention to areas where cables, pipes, or vents enter your home, as these are common entry points for pests.
2. Install Door Sweeps and Weatherstripping
Doors and windows are some of the most vulnerable areas for pest entry. Even small gaps at the bottom of doors can provide easy access for rodents and insects.
What to do:
Install door sweeps on exterior doors to seal gaps between the door and the threshold.
Check and replace worn-out weatherstripping around windows and doors to eliminate any drafts or openings.
These simple additions can significantly reduce the chances of pests finding their way inside.
3. Keep Your Home Clean
Pests are always on the hunt for food, water, and shelter. Keeping your home clean and clutter-free is one of the most effective ways to deter them from settling in.
Cleaning tips to keep pests away:
Store food properly: Keep all food in airtight containers and avoid leaving crumbs or spills on countertops.
Take out the trash regularly: Make sure garbage bins have tight-fitting lids and take the trash out frequently.
Vacuum regularly: Vacuum carpets, floors, and corners to remove food particles and potential pest hiding spots
Clean pet areas: Don’t forget to clean up after your pets—leftover pet food can attract pests like ants and rodents.
By eliminating food sources, pests will be less attracted to your home.
4. Manage Moisture Levels
Many pests, including cockroaches and silverfish, thrive in damp environments. Fall can bring increased rainfall, leading to higher humidity and moisture levels in and around your home.
Ways to reduce moisture:
Fix any leaky faucets or pipes promptly.
Use dehumidifiers in areas like basements or bathrooms where humidity tends to be higher.
Make sure your home is properly drained to prevent water from collecting close to the foundation.
To avoid water accumulation, routinely clear your gutters and downspouts.
By controlling moisture, you can make your home much less appealing to pests.
5. Trim Trees and Shrubs
Pests such as ants, spiders, and rodents can enter your property through overgrown trees, shrubs, and bushes acting as bridges.. As the weather cools down, these pests will use branches as a pathway to your roof or windows.
Gardening tips to prevent pest entry:
Trim back any tree branches or shrubs that are touching your home or roof.
Clear away leaves, grass clippings, and debris from your yard, as these can create ideal hiding spots for pests.
By maintaining your landscape, you create a barrier that makes it harder for pests to find their way into your home.
6. Store Firewood Away from Your Home
While firewood is essential for cozy nights by the fire, it’s also a haven for pests like termites, ants, and rodents. Storing firewood too close to your home gives these pests an easy route inside.
How to store firewood properly:
Firewood should be kept at least 20 feet away from your house.
Keep firewood elevated off the ground to reduce moisture and prevent pests from nesting.
Use firewood as needed, rather than stockpiling large amounts.
Keeping firewood at a safe distance from your home will help reduce the likelihood of pests entering.
Conclusion
Fall is a beautiful season, but it’s also the time when pests seek refuge in warm, cozy homes. By following these preventative measures, you can protect your home from unwanted visitors this season. From sealing gaps to maintaining a clean and dry environment, a little effort now can save you a lot of hassle later. If you’re unsure about the steps to take or suspect an infestation, don’t hesitate to call a professional pest control service for assistance.
Stay proactive, and enjoy a pest-free home this fall!
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