Top Tips to Prevent Pests in Your House this Fall

Fall is here, and with that comes cooler temperatures in North Carolina. While you may want to cozy up next to a fire with some apple cider, you’re not the only one looking to keep warm. Colder weather means some bugs are also looking for a warm place to stay. 
 
Here are seven tips to keep your home bug-free this fall:

1. Call Pestech of Greenville

We are fully licensed and equipped to offer you a complete range of indoor and outdoor pest management and extermination services. We will assess your home, identify possible pest entry points, and take care of any potential problems. We provide monthly, quarterly, and one-time pest control services to keep pests out of your home or business. Our services utilize superior products applied in strategic locations to solve the problems while limiting the exposure of any toxins.

2. Seal Possible Entry Points

Pests can find a way into your home through even the smallest of cracks. It may seem too small to you, but it could be the perfect size for a bug. Make sure all doors to your home are tightly sealed when closed. You can add weather stripping if needed or use door-seal kits to the edges of the frames to keep bugs from getting in on the sides and tops of doors. Use caulk to seal door joints where frames meet the wall. If you have doors to a porch or deck, consider installing a screen door. Screens on both doors and windows create an extra barrier to keep bugs out during the fall and winter. Look for a 20-mesh or finer screen with holes too small for most insects to get through. 

3. Fix Cracks

If a pencil can slide through a gap or crack, so can insects. If there are any cracks in your home, make sure you patch and seal them. To keep the bugs out, use cement or mortar to patch the foundation and walls. Replace any rotting wood, and clear away any damaged bricks by replacing them with new ones. Use caulk around window frames, foundation, or siding cracks. 

4. Maintain Your Yard

You may not be doing as much yard work in the fall as you do in the summer, but it’s important to maintain a clean and manicured yard to prevent pests. Remove leaf piles and make sure your gutters are clean. Also be sure that your gutters drain properly to direct moisture away from your home. Keep firewood and other wood debris from being stacked directly against your home. Bugs love to nest in mulch and wood chips, so keep these landscaping materials away from your home. Bugs thrive in trees, so trim all trees to keep limbs away from the walls and windows of your home. 

5. Properly Store Trash

Your trash is the perfect place for bugs to reside. Be sure to keep all trash in closed bins and empty them regularly. Keep food waste in a kitchen trashcan and not in cans throughout the house. All bins outside your home should also have secure lids with tight seals to keep bugs out. Keep them away from the house if possible. 

6. ​Remove Food and Water Sources

The best way to make bugs feel comfortable in your home is by leaving food and drinks out on the counter, table, or floor. In order to prevent them having access to food and water, we recommend storing all your food in airtight containers, including pet food. Put unsealed food products in the fridge when possible. Don’t let dishes sit in the sink. Instead, put them in the dishwasher or clean them off immediately after eating. When it comes to the exterior of your home, remove extra moisture by repairing any roof or plumbing leaks. 

7. Inspect What Comes into Your Home

If you come home to find a package on your front steps, inspect it for bugs before bringing it inside. Insects can easily find their way into boxes and other packages during transit. Firewood, heavy jackets, and boots are also another easy way for pests to hitch a ride inside. Check these items as best you can before entering your home. 

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While we may associate bugs with the summer months, it’s important to be vigilant and aware that pests can enter your home at any time of the year. Planning for a bug-free home is a year-round effort.

That's why Pestech of Greenville is here to help. We are honored to serve you in eastern North Carolina. Give our office a call at 252-353-4760 or email pestechofgreenville@hotmail.com for a free estimate.