Foolproof Pest-Proofing Tips To Keep Pests Out Of Your House This Fall

Foolproof Pest-Proofing Tips To Keep Pests Out Of Your House This Fall

It’s that time of year when nothing feels better than curling up in front of the fireplace on a chilly evening. If you have pets, you know they enjoy it too, so it should come as no surprise that other animals also love to cozy up in the comfort of a warm room.

When the temperatures begin to drop, rodents, cockroaches, and spiders are just some of the critters that will begin to make their way indoors in search of a warm place to stay. Russell’s Pest Control would like to remind you that fall is the perfect time to pest-proof your home to keep these unwelcome visitors out.

It’s no great surprise that these pests try to get in. When colder weather hits, they go into survival mode, searching for a place to call home for winter that not only provides warmth, but also food and water. They often end up in houses because inhabited homes are the most likely places that will provide for all these of their winter needs.

Once inside, these pests are bad news. Rodents, cockroaches, and other invaders contaminate food, spread disease, destroy property, and can even bring other unwelcome visitors into your home. In order to minimize your chances of allowing these pests into your house this fall, Russell’s recommends following the guidelines on fall pest-proofing set forth by the National Pest Management Association. By acting on these tips, you can protect your home and family from the threats that these pests bring.

  • Cap chimneys, screen vents, and cover any other openings to the outdoors, such as mail slots or pet doors.
  • Keep areas prone to moisture, such as basements and attics, well-ventilated and dry. Consider using a dehumidifier in these areas and repair any water-damaged spots immediately.
  • Keep food stored in airtight containers or in the refrigerator. Clean counters and remove trash from your home regularly. When trash is stored outside, keep it in tightly sealed bins away from your house.
  • Replace damaged tiles, shingles, and weather stripping around your home. Check for holes, cracks, and gaps, and fill any you find.
  • Inspect boxes, mail, and grocery bags for pest damage before bringing them into your home.
  • Do not leave pet food outside.
  • Contact a professional pest control service like Russell’s Pest Control when you suspect an infestation.

Remember pests can fit through the smallest of openings, so your best line of defense is to make sure your home is in tip-top shape and if it’s not to repair any damage you find. Try using caulk and steel wool in damaged areas to help keep pests out. They can work wonders.

For more information about fall pests and how to prevent them, give us a call today!

Keeping Fall Invaders Out

Keeping Fall Invaders Out

Temperatures are beginning to dip. You’ve probably noticed. You may have also noticed that a few trees have a red leaf or two. That’s right. It’s coming. It comes every year. There is no stopping it. Winter is inevitable. You know it. We know it. And bugs know it. But allowing them to get into your home is not inevitable.

When stink bugs, lady bugs, and boxelder bugs, start crawling in your curtains, piling up on your window sills, crawling on your television, and landing in your morning cereal, it is too late to apply any kind of DIY pest control measures to deal with the problem. Once these pests get in, only an educated pest professional can fix the issue. But, there are some things you can do to keep them out. Here are some ideas.

Fall Pest Protection

  • When these bugs come to crawl on your window screens, make sure they don’t find any tears, holes, or gaps. Do a close inspection and replace or repair any damaged screen you find. There are some helpful videos online to help you make simple patches.
  • It is important to check around windows, as well. These bugs are small and it is easy for them to squeeze through tiny gaps between your screen and the window frame. If you find any holes, cover them.
  • If you have sliding screen doors, it is important to check the weather stripping to make sure there are no damaged bristles that will allow these bugs to squeeze in. It is also important to keep the screen door closed, even if the interior glass door is closed. If these bugs are on the glass or frame of your sliding glass door when you open it, you could bring them right into your home.
  • All of these bugs will exploit any gap or opening you have in your exterior walls. Make sure all of your vents are covered with screening, all gaps around pipes and utilities are sealed, and use a caulking gun or wire mesh to fill in holes that have been created by other pests.
  • Keep your garage door closed when you’re not exiting or entering, and ensure that the door sweep on the door that goes from your garage to the interior of your home makes a proper seal.
  • Consider having a pest control company do an exterior treatment to keep these pests away, and to bolster vulnerable areas.

It is hard to completely exclude overwintering pests without a little help. If you need assistance keeping these and other pests out of your home, and you live in our Tennessee service area, let Russel’s Pest Control give you a hand. You can probably live with overwintering pests, but isn’t nicer to not have them crawling on your oatmeal, staining your furniture, and blocking your view of the game? Do not let them overwintering pests invade your home with helpful pest control service from Russell’s Pest Control.