Pest problems are common in the fall because of the temperature change. Like us, rodents, insects, and other pests would rather spend the winter indoors. They can sense that the interior of your home is warm and that there is food available. The key to preventing this problem is making your home less attractive to pests and physically blocking them out.
If you need help, call a professional for pest control Oakville or near you. A pest control technician can help you pest-proof your property and eliminate any current infestations for you. In addition, many professionals guarantee their work, so they will return at no additional cost if the pests come back.
Deep Clean The Kitchen And Basement
Kitchens, pantries, and cluttered basements are a pest’s favourite. Deep cleaning these areas before it gets cold outside will help reduce the smell of food and the number of hiding spots that attract pests. Clean the kitchen from top to bottom and get rid of anything you don’t need. Vacuum thoroughly and clean the floors beneath your large appliances. Store food in airtight containers and wipe the shelves in your kitchen to get rid of crumbs.
Dehumidify The Home
Many insects cannot live without moisture. In the fall, they are drawn to basements that are humid and warm. If your home is noticeable humid, consider installing a dehumidifier. Always use the fans in your bathrooms when you shower and use the exhaust fan in your kitchen when you boil water. Clean out your HVAC filter and open the windows regularly to let air circulate.
Keep in mind that pests need to drink water, too. Don’t leave any water sitting in the sink, and do the dishes before the end of the night. Fix leaky faucets, so there is nothing for a pest to drink.
Eliminate Entry Points
Once you’ve made the home a little less attractive, don’t let the pests get inside in the first place. Mice and bugs get inside by crawling through tiny openings in the walls and windows. Please take a good look around your home for gaps and cracks that lead into the house, then seal them shut.
Check underneath your doors first. If you can fit the tip of a pencil under the door, a mouse can crawl through. Next, put weatherstripping to the bottoms of your doors and make sure your screens are in good shape. Then, check your windows. Seal cracks in the window frame with silicone caulking and replace any broken screens.
The wall vents you see on the walls risk letting in mice and rats. Instead, cover these with a 16-gauge, galvanized steel mesh. Galvanized steel won’t rust, and the thickness of the gauge won’t let rodents chew through. Use a quarter-inch mesh for best results. You can also plug your weep vents with covers you can find at the hardware store.
Finally, keep bugs out by sealing the cracks in your foundation. If you find any large cracks, contact a specialist. Block out other holes in the wall with steel wool or expanding foam. You can also seal cracks between your siding panels with caulking.
Do Some Landscaping
Now to keep pests out of the yard. Because pests come from the outside, making your yard a little less appealing to them is a wise choice. Catch up on your landscaping duties before the end of the season to lessen your chances of an invasion. Cut the grass, get rid of weeds, and move plant debris away from the home walls. Clean out your window wells and pick up any fallen fruit. Then, clean your garbage cans with the garden hose and store them in a shed to keep raccoons away.
