As we quickly head into fall, winter is close behind. As the weather gets colder, pests will become more active and be looking for a place to find refuge. It is always better to be proactive about residential pest control in Charleston, SC than to deal with an infestation or issue after the fact. These are some tips about how to prepare your home for the arrival of pests and hang out the “no vacancy” sign!
Common Fall Pests
It would seem logical that the colder weather would bring a decrease in pest activity, but that’s actually incorrect. When the temperatures drop, there is an increase in activity, which means you should prepare now to fight against the most common fall pests. Those pests include:
- Stink Bugs
- Lady Beetles
- Mice
- Rats
- Spiders
Pests will be trying to make their way into your home to hide from the cold, so the more that you can do to keep them out, the less chance you have that they will do significant damage to your home.
Seal Crevices and Cracks
You would be shocked at how very little space rodents and insects need to gain entry. The best way to provide a barrier of protection against them getting into your home is to use caulk to seal up any crevices and cracks in both the interior and exterior of your home that provide them a way to enter.
Keep Your Countertops Food-Free
Food is a beacon for rodents and pests, and if you leave it out, it is like a welcome mat for them to come in. Make sure that your countertops are clean overnight and when you aren’t around. Also, put your pantry food into airtight containers and don’t leave out any open bags. That includes pet food!
Close Garbage Cans
Make sure that both indoor and outdoor garbage cans are properly covered and sealed. Also, it might be convenient for your outdoor garbage cans to be close to your home, but that is only increasing the likelihood of drawing pests in.
Control Moisture and Damp Areas
If there is one thing that pests love, it is warm moist areas. Make sure that you are controlling the humidity in basements, attics, and crawl spaces so they don’t create a perfect breeding habitat for rodents and insects. A dehumidifier is an excellent way to draw out moisture and keep pests at bay!
Keep Firewood Pest-Free
There is nothing better than sitting around a fireplace on a cold fall or winter’s day. Although you want firewood to be convenient so you don’t have to trek out into the cold, if you keep it too close to your home, it can attract mice, termites, and rodents. Make sure that you place it a minimum of 20 feet from your home and store it off the ground so that insects don’t burrow in it.
Schedule Your Pest Service
Although these tips and tricks will help, it is always a good idea to schedule your fall pest control treatment. At Precision Pest & Home Services, we can ensure that we keep pests away throughout the year and target those pests that are most active at certain times.
As we head into fall, soon you will be busy getting ready for holiday guests. If you want to ensure that those guests aren’t pests, take precautions to hang your “no vacancy” sign out to keep them out. Contact us to schedule your pest control service for the fall today!
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