Fall Pest Prep for Homeowners
As the weather gets colder and the leaves begin to drop, your mind may be starting to wander towards what you will do this winter while enjoying the warmth of your home. The last thing you want is to be curled up on the couch, binge watching your new favorite show, when a spider runs at you from across the room.
To prevent this, use this fall pest preparation checklist to make sure that you and your family can enjoy a pest free winter.
Move firewood
Unless you have a wood fired heating system, you likely will not need your wood pile this winter. The damp and decayed wood is a favorite spot of pests, from termites, to mice, to spiders. All of these critters like to make wood piles their home to spend the winter. It is well insulated, and for termites, provides a nearly endless food supply. To keep these pests out of your home this winter, move your wood pile at least 20 feet away from your home. Throw a tarp on top of it for additional protection, and let it spend the winter at the edge of your yard.
Inspect Foundation
Walk around the perimeter of your home and look for any cracks or holes in the foundation and siding. Pests, especially rodents, will see your home as a nice warm place to spend the winter. If there are any cracks in your foundation, they can squeeze through and take up residence in your walls or basement. To prevent this, use outdoor caulk or foaming insulation to fill any cracks or gaps, even small ones.
Check out the Attic
Although going into your attic is never a fun job, it is a necessary step to ensure that your home is safe this winter. Make sure that your attic is sealed and dry, not only to keep pests out, but also to prevent future damage from melting snow or ice dams. While you’re up there, install wire mesh or screens over vents to the outside. This will keep pests and birds from taking up residence.
To The Roof
Before it gets too cold out, get up on your roof and take a look around. Fix or replace loose shingles, and make sure the chimney is in good shape. Any branches overhanging the roof creates a highway for squirrels and rodents to get onto your roof and into your home. Trim these back before the weather turns cold to prevent damaging the tree.
Eliminate Spiders
If you have an unfinished basement or crawl space, you likely have spiders. To eliminate them this winter, walk through with a broom and get rid of cobwebs and crush any spiders you see. In addition, place a dehumidifier in this area to maintain around 40 percent humidity. Keep in mind, if you have a spider problem, they have to be eating something, which means you may have a larger pest problem.
A few more tasks
Now that you have the big jobs done, use these last few tips to ensure any pests already inside your home won’t last long.
- Keep pet food stored in dry, sealed containers – pests don’t discriminate on what they eat
- Inspect boxes in closets and attic before bringing them out to make sure they’re pest free
- Keep kitchen counters clean and put food away after use
- Sweep out the garage
- Store items on shelves, not on the floor
- Dust bookshelves regularly
- Clean out behind and under your stove and refrigerator
