Date Posted: August 7, 2014
Category: Pest Prevention Tips
Can you believe it is already time to start preparing for the fall? For many of us, the summer has flown by, and here we are, with fall on the doorstep along with all the insects and rodents hoping for a place to get out of the elements. You’re not the only one driven inside by the cooler temperatures! Mice, rats, cockroaches, ants and spiders, are all in search of a place to spend the season. Stinging insects can also be more of a problem this time of year since they’re at their peak population. How about stink bugs? That is one nasty looking insect, and once it gets inside, what do you do? If you crush it, the nasty smell it emits will fill the room, and who wants to touch it to bring it outside?
If these pests do manage to make it into your home, they can create lots of problems. Not only can they be a nuisance but some can pose pretty serious threats to your health, your family and your home. Mice and rats carry diseases and parasites. These rodent's droppings can contaminate surfaces and food and they can chew through electrical wires, causing a fire hazard. Cockroaches bring in a laundry list of diseases and bacteria. Carpenter ants and termites can do structural damage to your home that can cost hundreds, even thousands to fix.
What can you do to make sure your home is pest free this fall? There are some things you can do on the outside, as well as inside your home to make it a less appealing fall vacation for rodents and insects. Inside your home you should do some fall cleaning. Make sure your trash is in a covered bin and is taken out regularly, sweep and mop behind all of your appliances to make sure there are no crumbs on the floor, never leave dirty dishes in the sink (even soaking in water) and wipe down your countertops on a regular basis. You should also keep all of your food in sealed containers. Since food and crumbs are a big draw for pretty much all pests, giving them less to dine on can go a long ways when it comes to keeping them out. Check under your cupboards and in your bathroom to make sure you don’t have any leaky pipes, and if you do, you should have them fixed immediately. You should also check for any gaps around pipes that insects or rodents might be able to get in through.
Outside your home you should do an inspection of your home and your foundation. Make sure any cracks or crevices are filled in and that all of the weather stripping in secured. Get rid of any standing water you possibly can. Empty buckets and flower pots and make sure your storm drains are cleaned out. Store your trash and recyclables in covered bins as far from your home as possible. Make sure there is no trash or food left overs left outside. You should also make sure to trim your trees and bushes.
A pest control professional can also help you get your home ready for the fall. They can help with inspections inside and outside of your home, identifying and correcting trouble spots and can administer pesticides if necessary. If you think you have a pest problem, or you’re seeing a big uptick in the number of stinging insects on your property, you should contact a professional right away. Pest elimination can be very dangerous and is not something you should try to do on your own.
