It happens every year. The cold winter winds howl outside, and the mice, stink bugs, and squirrels start making their way inside.
Yes, it’s pest season, which means it’s time to get aggressive when it comes to making sure only invited guests are enjoying your hospitality.
Here’s a look at how you can keep your home pest-free this winter:
1) Don’t Overlook the Attic
Those probably aren’t reindeer hooves you’re hearing up on the roof. Squirrels are always scampering about in New England. But when the weather turns cold, they like to try to sneak inside.
That’s why you shouldn’t overlook your attic. Make sure all of your attic vents and chimney openings are screened. If they’re open to the outdoors, squirrels will use them as an entryway.
2) Minimize Moisture
Basements, attics, and crawl spaces tend to collect moisture, and moisture tends to attract pests. Make sure these areas of your home are well ventilated and dry. Fans and dehumidifiers do more than keep you comfortable; they minimize moisture and help keep pests away.
3) Caulk Cracks and Crevices
If there’s a crack, crevice, or hole in your home’s foundation, siding, or window seals, there’s a good chance that a mouse is going to find it.
Mice are incredibly acrobatic when it comes to squeezing their way into your house. They can contort their bodies to fit through spaces as small as a dime. So take a walk around the outside of your house and fill all cracks and crevices with caulk. Mice can’t penetrate caulk.
4) Keep It Clean
A crumb here and a smudge of peanut butter on the counter over there might not seem like a big deal to you. But to pests, those little morsels of leftovers can be a feast.
Make sure you keep your home clean. Store food in airtight containers. Dispose of trash regularly. Don’t let crumbs lie around, or you might be cleaning up mouse droppings in addition to your leftovers.
5) Keep It Clear
Pests are sneaky. They don’t like to be seen by homeowners, and they’re incredibly good at hiding—especially if you have unruly shrubs, dead leaves, and firewood next to your house.
Mice, squirrels, and bugs will use shrubs, firewood, and dead leaves as cover as they make their way around your house looking for vulnerable spots to enter. So keep your shrubs trimmed. Rake up any dead leaves that have gathered. And move firewood at least 20 feet away from your house.
6) Fortify Your Fortress
If you are battling pests (and every homeowner is battling pests this time of year), it pays to fortify your fortress. Replace weather stripping and repair any loose or damaged mortar. If you see screens that have ripped or become torn, repair them. Install door sweeps.
All of these actions will make it more difficult for pests to penetrate your castle.
7) Put Away the Pet Food
When it comes to getting a good meal, pests don’t discriminate. They’ll feast on your pet’s food just like they’ll dine on your food. So make sure you store your pet food in sealed containers.
8) Have a Professional Conduct a Pest Inspection
Sometimes, to catch a pest, you have to think like a pest—and that’s a skill that can take years of training and experience to develop.
Even if you’ve successfully implemented steps 1 through 7, you still might benefit from a professional pest inspection. The experts at Bain Pest Control Service have been helping homeowners for decades. Connect with Bain today for a professional pest inspection.