Winter brings beautiful, fresh sheets of snow and fun with sleds and snowmen. Unfortunately, winter also brings pests. They seek warmth inside your home and end up causing many problems. Instead of waiting for the pain to arise, mitigating pest issues is ideal. Prevent pests from coming into your home with these seven tips.
Seal up any food or water sources.
Many pests are drawn inside your home with the promise of food and water. Sealing up food and water sources is an ideal way to prevent problems. If you leave bread on the counter, consider using an airtight breadbox. Put your dog or cat food in a storage container instead of the bag you purchased it in.
You can also dump your pet’s water bowl at night before bed to prevent any critters from coming in for a late-night drink. The less food and water available for pests to feed on, the less likely they’ll make themselves home in your house.
Eliminate entry points
How do pests get in? Consider using a chimney cap, cover vents with wire mesh, seal holes around pipes and replace worn weatherstripping around doors and windows. Other possible entry points include damaged eaves, roof tiles, torn window screens, and pet doors.
Prevent entry by ensuring that these areas are sealed well and undamaged.
Wash bedding and clothing frequently.
Bed bugs, fleas, and other tiny pests can find comfort in your bedding and clothing. By washing your items in hot water frequently, you can be sure to kill any insects that have made their way inside your dress. To prevent bed bugs, inspecting anything before bringing it inside is also ideal.
If you’ve been on a trip, inspect your luggage. If you purchased a used couch, go over it with a magnifying glass to be sure no bugs are attached. Once you’re sure your items are clear of bugs, it can be a good idea to use covers that can be removed and washed.
Take out the trash regularly
If you use a large trash can in your kitchen that only needs to be taken out once a week, it might be best to downsize. When trash sits in your home for extended periods, pests can smell it and are attracted to the scent. Take out the trash every evening. If this is less than ideal, you can get away with taking out the garbage every other day.
Keep shrubbery and firewood away from home.
Squirrels, mice, rats, and other pests find homes in the shrubbery and firewood piles near your home. Naturally, their space can expand to your home when it is so close. To be safe, store your wood at least 20 feet away from your home. You’ll also want to be sure your shrubs are trimmed away from your home.
Maintain cleanliness in all areas of the house.
You might have a clean home in areas where you can see. Your counters are clean, floors are swept, and no trash litters the furniture. However, if your attic or basement is a mess, it could feel inviting to pests. Cleanliness in all areas of the home is ideal for preventing critters from coming in.
Reduce outside lighting at night.
Lights often attract bugs at night. Each time you open the door, you might have a moth fly inside because it was drawn to the porch light and the light inside. While one or two moths are more of an annoyance than anything, spiders eat bugs like these. If you want to prevent spiders from coming into your home, be sure there is nothing for them to eat!
Get Help with Pests
If you need help preventing pests from making a home in your home, A&M Pest Control is the professional to call. Reach out for more information today.
