Winter will be here before you know it and will be the end for some insects. Others will be searching for a new place to live, which could mean that they’ll try to move in with you. Winter pest control is crucial and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
If you think that you won’t have to deal with pests during the winter, you’re highly mistaken. Just because it’s getting cold outside and some pests will die, doesn’t mean that they will all meet the same fate.
Some insects and rodents might be living in your home without your knowledge already. Soon, when the weather starts to change, more will move in.
This is why you need to start thinking about winter pest control now.
Why is winter pest control so important?
Pest control should be a high priority during the cold months and the months leading up to winter. A nice warm dwelling is inviting to pests and they can flourish inside just as well as they can outside.
Once you have pests in your home, getting them out can be a painstaking process. So, your best bet is to stop them before they ever get the chance to enter.
Some pests, like the ladybugs and spiders, are just trying to find a place to wait out the cold weather. Some other winter pests are planning to make your place their den. You need to take care of any issues you have with pests immediately because an infestation can grow rapidly. That’s why it’s important to take the needed steps now to prevent these problems in the future.
Pests like mice, rats, and cockroaches will also look for warm places to live in the winter. Unfortunately, they can carry diseases and bacteria that are extremely harmful to humans and pets.
These types of pests thrive in areas where people live because we unintentionally provide them with the food and other basic necessities they need to survive. Unlike ladybugs and other hibernating pests, these uninvited guests breed all year round and their numbers can get quickly out of hand.
Winter pest control tips
So, what can you do to keep your pets and family safe from pests this winter?
There are many things that you should do to stop these pests from entering your home.
Here are a few winter pest control tips to get you ready for the upcoming cold months:
1. Seal all holes and cracks
Rodents, such as mice, rats, and chipmunks, are known to come inside once it gets cold, so you shouldn’t give them the opportunity.
Seal all holes and cracks that pests could enter through. Use deterrents such as peppermint oil and cinnamon oil to keep them away. Inspect the outside of your house to make sure that you’ve taken care of all access points, including vents, chimneys, broken shingles, and cable entryways.
2. Eliminate wet areas
To keep insects out of your home, make sure that you pay attention to all the areas where moisture can build up. This includes your bathroom, basement, and the space under any sinks.
These wet areas attract insects like waterbugs, cockroaches, ants, and earwigs. Fixing leaky pipes, unclogging gutters, eliminating standing water, and keeping humidity levels low are a few examples of things that you can do to keep moisture (and pests) out of your home.
3. Store wood correctly
If you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace, make sure that you don’t store your wood inside or near any building. You should keep all firewood at least 20 ft. (6 m) away from your home because wood piles provide shelter for all types of animals and insects.
Storing the wood too close to your home gives these unwanted guests the perfect opportunity to invade your living quarters.
4. Landscape properly
Having landscaping next to your foundation might be beautiful, but it’s also a way to invite pests inside. Bushes and trees that touch your house give all sorts of pests easy access, so keep all vegetation and trees trimmed back from your house.
Putting mulch around your home only attracts insects.
Moist decaying conditions provide the perfect habitat for pests to breed and thrive. So, if you do apply mulch, make sure to leave about 1 ft. (30 cm) of space as a barrier between your foundation and the mulch.
Keeping this area clean and dry will help stop the critters from invading your home. This practice is especially important when dealing with termites.
5. Clean up after yourself
This might seem obvious, but cleaning up after yourself is a major factor in pest control.
Always remove trash as soon as you can. Leaving unattended food and dirty dishes lying around will attract pests quicker than anything.
You should store boxed food in plastic containers to keep pests from eating the contents.
Take your trash outside and put it in a trash can with a lid that can be secured. An open trash can is just asking for those pesky raccoons to come feast and create an enormous mess for you to clean up. If at all possible, store your trash cans in an enclosed garage or shed.
6. Get rid of clutter
Always keep your floors and counters clean. Having boxes and junk laying around offers pests like mice the perfect hiding space. They’ll hide in all the clutter and make their nests inside of cardboard boxes. Keeping things picked up and put away is a very important step in keeping pests from moving in.
Conclusion
You must remove pests from your home before an infestation breaks out. These pests can carry bacteria and diseases. So, keep your family safe and healthy by taking early action and preparing your home for winter now.
If you’ve done everything that you could to deter winter pests and are still having issues, contact a professional. They’ll be able to help. They have experience with these situations and are experts in getting rid of unwanted houseguests.
