Pest infestation is usually at its peak during summer. But this doesn’t mean that pests hibernate during the coldest season of the year. While some do, others are usually very active. And their zeal to invade your home is often heightened by the desire to escape the cold and source for food.
Protecting your home from pests during winter will ensure that you enjoy the season peacefully while reducing the health risks associated with pests like rats and mice. In short, you’ll be doing your home and your family a huge favor by implementing the 5 pest control tips below.
Identify which pests are common in winter.
Before you take any step, we recommend that you determine the type of pest you’ll be dealing with.
Is it the common mice? Rats? Roaches? Raccoons? Bed bugs? Moths? Squirrels? Bats? Fleas? Or the super scary spiders?
Identifying the type of pest you are dealing with will make your job much easier. It’ll help you devise an effective plan or measure to eradicate the menace ASAP.
We recommend conducting your research or hiring a pest control professional. The pest control specialists at Terminix have the skills, knowledge, and equipment to inspect your home for pests and eradicate them if they exist.
Close all entry points
After identifying the pest, you are dealing with what next? Go after them with guns blazing? No. First, go around the house. Keep an eye out for entry points. If you find any, seal them. Common entry points to consider are
- Under doors
- Small openings in unsealed windows
- Cracks in walls
All these are basic entry points. There are major entry points such as cracks in the foundation, vents, pips, and your chimney. To keep pests at bay this winter, ensure that you take the time to identify these entry points and seal them appropriately.
And how do you seal the entry points when you find them?
For windows and door sweeps, we recommend installing a mesh net or shutters. You can also install thresholds underneath all exterior entry doors. If there are cracks in the walls and your home’s foundation, fill them. This applies to other openings.
If you’d DIY the pest-proofing process, try to start before the winter season begins, as it can be difficult.
Trim shrubs and trees that grow close to your home
How do rodents invade your home? Yes, they take advantage of openings. But in addition to openings, some pests get into your home via the trees that grow close to your home. They use the tree branches as ladders to gain access to your home. To check this, we recommend trimming these tree branches.
Try to keep a distance of at least 3 to 4 feet between the branches and the structure of your home. This won’t only keep pests at bay but also improve the health of your trees and shrubs.
Pest-proof your Christmas tree
Rather than buy an actual Christmas tree, many families adopt the old tradition of cutting down a real tree to decorate their homes. Although natural and pleasing, this act could result in pest problems.
We recommend buying an artificial Christmas tree. And if this doesn’t suit you, we advise you to visit tree farms with “tree shakers .”The shakers will help remove any hitchhiker before mounting the tree in your home.
You should also inspect the tree thoroughly. Check it for spider egg sacs, ticks, and other little pests. If you want to pest-proof your tree further, you can dust it with Diatomaceous Earth or spray it with neem oil. These are two effective natural pest control methods ideal for Christmas trees.
Clean your fireplaces
As stated earlier, your chimney can serve as an entry point for rodents and other pests. Many homeowners overlook fireplace maintenance during summer. If you do this in summer, try to adopt a different approach during winter. Cleaning your fireplace during this season is essential. And as you clean it, ensure you keep an eye out for pests like bats, squirrels, birds, etc.
Chimney remains one of the best hiding spots for birds, rodents, raccoons, and squirrels. So ensure you clear it out frequently. While doing that, inspect it for cracks, especially if your fireplace is made of bricks. Pests like rats, roaches, spiders, etc., can enter your home via these points. Seal all cracks in your fireplace to prevent winter pest infestation.
Conclusion
There is a limit to what you can do as far as pest-proofing your home is concerned. In a situation where you have done all within your power with little or no results, we recommend contacting a pest control professional. They have what it takes to handle your pest problems.