As the season begins to change and fall decorations begin to pop up, Official Pest Prevention reminds homeowners that a little pest-proofing goes a long way towards protecting your home and your health through the colder months ahead.
Give your home a walk around to see if there are any areas that might be leaving you vulnerable to insects or rodents. With temperatures dropping, many insects and animals will begin to seek shelter for food and protection from the cold. Pest-proofing your home will help you stay one step ahead of spiders, mice, and cockroaches.
Common Fall Bugs and Pests
Rodents
Fall bugs aren’t the only thing to watch out for: rodent control and exclusion should be your number one fall priority, as mice and rats seek a warm place for winter.
Rodents are typically found in the walls and anywhere there are open food containers. Rodents carry all kinds of diseases and illnesses, entering your home through holes as small as a coin.
They can also harm your property, gnawing through wires, leaving behind droppings, and nesting in your insulation. Check the perimeter of your home for any holes or cracks where these four-legged creatures could possibly crawl through.
Flies
The south- and west-facing walls of your home may attract fall flies in search of heat – and if they are already overwintering, a warm day may bring them out of hiding.
Stinging Insects
After working all summer to create the largest nest possible, it becomes a struggle to feed so many mouths with temperatures dropping and food sources dwindle.
Under these circumstances, stinging insects like yellow jackets and bees can become hostile. If you think you have found a nest, take caution.
Ants
Cool autumn weather may bring ant trails indoors. Ants, like pavement ants and odorous house ants, sometimes move their colonies into the walls of your home or beneath a slab foundation to escape the chill.
Occasional Fall Bugs and Pests
This time of year can include a bevy of unique fall insects, including stink bugs, box elders, and ladybugs. Pests enter homes and businesses seeking an overwintering site where they can wait out the winter.
Cockroaches
Moisture below your home can draw cockroaches. Maintenance is your best roach control weapon, from general cleanliness to repair of cracks and gaps that can let roaches in.
Fall Pest Maintenance Tips
Follow these tips to help minimize the threats that these pests could reek on your home and your health:
- Screen attic vents, openings to chimneys, and any other areas that are open to the outdoors.
- Keep basements, attics, and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
- Keep kitchen counters clean, store food in airtight containers, and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.
- Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around the foundation and windows.
- Avoid leaving pets’ food dishes out for long periods of time.
- Contact a licensed pest control professional if an infestation is suspected.
Why you need professional pest control for fall pests
In fall, bugs and rodents are looking for a place to hibernate or overwinter. And they can turn your happy home into a nightmare. That’s why fall pest control is so important. A pest professional can treat your yard, and set up devices that watch for harmful insects.
They can stop many bugs before they even get to your home. Professionals have training on how to seal your house and can spray the outside of your home, especially in hard to reach places, like the roofline and third story window frames.
Fall Pest Control Near You
You don’t have to live in fear of bugs and rodents. Proper fall maintenance can keep your home and your family safe, and bug-free. You have enough to worry about. Leave your bug worries to the professionals at Official Pest Prevention. Call us today at (877) 711 2847 for an inspection.
If you’d like to get help with your pest control issue, check out the rest of our site at Official Pest Prevention. We are a full-service residential and commercial pest control company dedicated to producing peace in your home. Contact us today and start getting rid of termites, bed bugs, mice, and other pests infesting your home.
Official Pest Prevention is equipped to handle any infestations you may have. Whether you live in a commercial area or a residential one, if you say hello to us, you’ll be saying goodbye to those pesky bugs.
If you have any questions at all about our highly-rated services, then please feel free to contact us. We’re always eager to help out.
Official Pest Prevention is a family-owned, licensed pest control company celebrating 20 years serving over 100,000 satisfied customers in five area codes throughout Northern and Central California. Starting with a few contacts, and only four full-time employees, our small company has grown into an organization that today employs over 100 people, maintains a fleet of 75 vehicles, and has serviced over 100,000 Northern California households. This tremendous growth has come from loyal customers, who have recommended our work to their friends, family, and neighbors.
We are a full-service pest control company. Whatever your pest problem, we have a solution. Our goal is to make your property pest-free. Guaranteed. Contact us online or by phone (877) 711 2847 – for immediate assistance. Same-day bookings and flexible payment plans available – because pest invasions wait for no one.