Fall is right around the corner. Many people love this beautiful time of year, as it ushers in colourful leaves, crisp weather, and a welcome break from the hot, humid summer. As the temperature gets cooler, however, insects, rodents, and other critters start to look for warmer places to live, finding refuge in your home. If unwelcome pests are waging war on your house this season, it’s time to fight back. Here are some pest-proofing strategies to help keep these fall invaders from entering your home.
1. Seal up Cracks and Gaps
Bugs and rodents are looking for every opportunity to get into your home—so don’t give them one. Cracks, holes, gaps, and open doors and windows are exactly the invitations unwelcome guests are looking for to set up camp. You can use caulk, expandable foam, copper mesh, and even liquid cement to seal up holes and gaps around pipes, outlets, air condition units, and dryer vents. For larger cracks in the foundation, it is probably best to consult a professional, as this may be a serious structural issue.
2. Repair Window and Door Screens
Windows and doors can be the most susceptible areas in your home. So it is vital to repair any rips or holes in screens or replace them altogether if the damage is too severe. It doesn’t take much for pests to creep into your home. In fact, some insects can even get through undamaged window and door screens, making it important to keep them closed during the fall season.
3. Install a Damper
Do you have a fireplace? When not in use, chimneys and fireplaces offer the ideal opportunity for insects and rodents to enter your home. Getting a damper for the top of the chimney will help minimize the chance of unwanted pests from invading your space.
4. Inspect the Conditions around Your Home
Is the exterior of your home welcoming to pests? Woodpiles, trees, and shrubs are home to many pests. So it is a good idea to keep their homes away from yours. Removing woodpiles, as well as trimming back shrubs from your exterior walls and tree foliage from your roof line will help stop insects from exploring possible entry points to your home.
5. Contact a Pest Control Professional
Following the above tips will help keep you safe from unwanted pests this fall. Prevention is really the best offence to stop these critters in their tracks. No matter how diligent you are, however, there might be times an infestation is unavoidable. When that happens, it is always best to contact a pest control professional. They have the skills and the proper equipment to effectively eliminate pest infestations.
For more information about all our Vancouver pest control services and the products Solutions Pest Control uses, contact us toll-free at 1-855-858-9776.