Depending on where you are, you may be expecting winter soon. And with the wonderfully chill client come those pesky, unwanted visitors: winter pests.
These creatures come in various sizes and shapes. They burrow, climb, fly, or crawl into your home, causing damage. Also, they can get anywhere in your home: the last place you want them to be during the holidays.
If you notice peculiar smells, dirt build-up, droppings, displaced household items, bizarre sounds, and holes in your woodwork, they’re probably inside already. But there’s no need to panic. Pest control companies, such as TMO Pest and Weed Management among others, offer great solutions for keeping these creatures from damaging your home and peace of mind. You may consider visiting their page for more insights.
But what about your winter pest problem now? There are steps you can take to keep them out of your home. Here are some of them:
Seal Cracks And Crevices
Inspect the surfaces of your home for gaps. This should include doors, windows, chimneys, window screens, door screens, walls, ceilings, and many other places that allow access by pests. These provide sure entryways for winter pests to pass through. Ensure that all possible entrances of pests are entirely sealed to keep pests away.
Once you find them, cover them with an air-tight and water-tight sealant.
Likewise, you should replace any worn-out screens or barriers in your home. Weatherproofing materials such as foam and caulk can also prevent pests from gaining access.
Store Clothing Properly
Crowded spaces are perfect places for pests to breed. Take time to organize clothes at home. Also, regularly check the storage spaces themselves to see if they’re pest-free, as termites and moths may infest them. Consider buying moth balls and decluttering
Clean Up Garbage And Keep Cans Closed
Ants and mice can smell food from far away. Thus, it’s crucial to dispose of food waste in secure garbage cans to avoid drawing them into your home. If you own pets, you should store their food properly and clean their bowls regularly since they can also attract pests.
In kitchen areas, you should store food in airtight cans. Also, make sure lids are closed at all times when not in use. This should aid with extending the shelf life of the goods you have as well as keeping pests from contaminating them.
Minimize Moisture
Pests are always more during humid seasons because moisture draws them close. In cases of too much humidity, especially during winter, you may consider using a dehumidifier. This helps to suck moisture from the indoor air and make it dry.
You can also manually dry surfaces with water to prevent pests from encroaching. If you have severe issues with moisture in your home, consider enlisting professional help to rid your home of humidity problems and keep pests at bay.
Set Up Pest Traps
Pest traps are particularly handy if you expect pests to enter your house anyway. The type you use should match the kind of pest you’re getting rid of. There’s a wide range of traps you can buy, so make sure you pick ones that are effective for the best value out of every purchase.
Additionally, make sure you keep particularly hazardous ones away from the reach of children and pets.
Get Rid Of Clutter
Pests love to hide and lay their eggs in clutter. Therefore, it’s vital to clean litter promptly. Take care of laundry without delay, and empty your trash outside on dustbins. Cleaning windows as you check for cobwebs around your house is also necessary.
Just like cleaning inside your house, you have to keep your backyard well-maintained to prevent pests. Trim grass to remove excess vegetation, dig out weeds, and sweep leaves aside. You can use these for mulch, but you need to be careful where you place them.
Change The Lighting
Insects get attracted by the heat and brightness generated by light. This becomes more apparent in places where daylight hours shorten during the winter.
Lights with more wattage create more heat and have a greater drawing distance. So, it’s a good idea to use light-emitting diodes (LED) instead. You can also place special spectrum lights to electrocute insects.
Conclusion
With winter pests under control, you enjoy the holidays with your loved ones at home. Keep in mind that pest control comes in cycles; it’s never a one-time affair. That’s because pests will always come back after some time. Fortunately, you can make it a regular part of your home maintenance. And if you can’t keep up, you can always call pest control professionals.
