As an experienced route technician, I have seen my share of concerns and issues regarding pests both from current and prospective clients throughout the years. Especially as the seasons change.
Fall brings us many things that we enjoy like coolers temperatures, pumpkins, festivals, changing leaves for beautiful scenery, and of course Football!! But fall also brings us things that we don’t care for as much. Such as unwanted visitors in our homes like pests and critters.
I wanted to take some time to discuss the effect that Fall has on these unwanted guests. Pests and critters are always seeking out warm shelter. Somewhere that can keep them safe and offer a food source they can depend on. However, the warm, safe shelter that they are seeking is often in our homes! The seasons have a big influence on pests, so the threats they pose often shift as the weather changes.
To protect your home from any pest invasions this fall, it’s crucial that you’re aware of the impact this season has on these pests patterns and movements. It’s also extremely important that you take the proper precautions this season.
Pests Look for Warm Shelter During Colder Weather
As fall approaches, the colder weather will begin to set in and temperatures will drop. This indicates that most pests and insects need to prepare for the nearing winter and seek out warm shelter. As a result, these pests and insects will be more likely to invade your home.
You may start to see an increased presence of spiders, boxelder bugs, ladybugs and other insects that normally desire to stay outside. These generally harmless pests often stay out of sight and will stay hidden in the cracks and crevices of your house.
Bees and wasps will often shelter in trees, logs or eaves of homes and ants will retreat to their nesting sites.
Rodents like mice and rats will also be seeking warmth during the fall. Establishing a safe place to outlast the outside weather helps most of the insects and rodents survive the colder months.
Prepare Your Home
So what can you do to prepare? First, ensure that any holes, cracks, crevices or gaps in your foundation, floors, attic and garage are properly sealed to prevent them from invading your home. You should also check the materials of your roof, because strong winds may crack shingles and siding materials. This can result in created openings for pests invasions.
Managing proper home maintenance during the fall helps decrease the chances of any rodents invading your home in the winter.
Getting regular home maintenance inspections can determine if your roofing is tightly secured in place. It also helps to keep basements, attics and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry. There are many different types of pests that are attracted to soggy crawls spaces and areas with a lot of moisture.
Get Help From a Professional
Fall is a great time to get a home inspection done before any pests invade your home and make a warm shelter out of it. Thorough and proper inspections will provide you with a clear cut plan on what needs to be done. It will help to ensure you and your family are healthy and pest free.
Take Care and Until Next Time!!
Written by Jeremy Maloney
Fall also brings lots of wildlife concerns as well. If you think you may have an animal problem hopefully this cheatsheet can help you narrow down the culprit.
