Preparing for Winter Our Top Pest Control Tips

As winter approaches, you should not only prepare for cold weather but also intruders and annoying pests. During the warm seasons, many pests may be comfortable staying outdoors. However, in cold months they seek idyllic places, for instance, your house or basement. The pests may come looking for shelter and food in your house. Thus, they may end up causing damage to your property or transmitting diseases.

Common Pests in Winter
Some awful pests to watch out for include termites, rats, and spiders. Termites like in large colonies and can cause massive damage to properties. The insects find comfortable spots in outdoor refuse and wood. Rats are warm-blooded animals. Thus, they seek warmer shelters during cold weather. Consequently, they can make nests in your basement or other dark areas.

The danger of rats is that they can transmit diseases such as jaundice, cowpox, and rat-bite fever. Although spiders are more common, during cold weather, dangerous species may seek shelter in your home. They are likely to hide in dark places.

Many pests that invade homesteads during wintertime may be just a nuisance. Some of the annoying pests include beetles, ladybugs, ants, cockroaches, and stink bugs. Although they are not harmful, some of them may bite you painfully.


Factors that Favor Pest Invasion
Some factors which support pest invasion are overlooked in many cases. The knowledge of these factors will help in mitigating pest invasion into your home. Some of the common factors include:

Warmth
Cold weather is the chief factor why pests invade homes. The pests seek a conducive place, away from the harsh weather.

Food Remains & Dirt
Dirt attracts many pests. For instance, dirty dishes will attract flying insects, ants, and cockroaches. Besides, improperly dumped waste and spilled food can attract pests.

Dampness
Dampness and moisture attract many pests, especially insects. Thus, leakages from water pipes or air conditioner units and dormant drains can attract insects.

Sweet & Sharp Odor Foods
Sweet-smelling substances and foods attract some insects. For instance, fruit fries will follow the smell of ripe fruits. Besides, insects like ants and wasps will readily search for spilled honey or sugar.

Gaps & Cracks
Cracks in the wall and gaps near the windows or around the door can allow unwelcome pests into your house. Pests like bugs like to hide and sneak through small cracks and gaps in your house.

Pest Control Tips
As winter approaches, you can take precautions to mitigate pest invasion. Consequently, apply the following pest control tips:

Seal Cracks
Seal every opening in the wall of your house and repair all cracks that may act as hiding places for pests. Besides, examine your window and door edges for holes that can let insects into your house.

Keep the Openings Closed
During wintertime, make sure your doors and windows are closed. However, make sure your ventilation is good. Besides, acquire a cap for your chimney to keep rodents away.

Manage Waste Well
Since pests are attracted by debris, make sure you keep any debris away from the house. Consequently, lawn debris, raked leaves, composite piles, and any kitchen waste should be discarded away from the house.

Mow Your Lawn & Trim Branches
Trim all low-hanging branches that cause darkness in your homestead. Besides, mow your lawn and rake away all leaves and grass. Afterward, you can burn the waste once it is dry.

Store Your Food Properly
Keep sweet-smelling fruits and other spicy foods in tight containers or seal them. Besides, store bird seeds and pet food in closed containers.

Monitor Basement Humidity
Very low humidity can lead to damp conditions that cause fungal growth. Consequently, the foul smell can attract pests. Therefore, dehumidify your basement constantly.

Use Traps
Traps can help in preventing pest intrusion into your house. Besides, they can be used to eliminate some pests that have invaded your house. For instance, you can use a bait trap to eliminate rodents. Additionally, flytraps can be effective in getting rid of flies.

Use a Pesticide Barrier
You can buy an approved pesticide barrier to protect your house. However, there are various precautions that you should keep in mind for any pest control product.

• Keep children and pets away from pesticides
  
• Use only approved pesticides
  
• Apply on targeted locations if not used in baits
  
• Read and carefully follow all the instructions for use and precautions
  
• Use fogging devices only when absolutely necessary
  
• Dispose of pesticide containers and leftovers safely
  
• Do not use outdoor pesticides for indoor purposes
  
• Consult in case of any difficulty
  

Pests are a common problem during wintertime, mainly due to weather changes. Since they are likely to intrude into your house, it is prudent to take mitigation measures to avoid annoying and harmful pests.

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