A winter sets in, everything and everyone heads indoors to stay warm. This includes both humans and pests. Your home can provide the perfect winter retreat for mice, squirrels, cockroaches, and a variety of other unwelcome pests. To help prevent a full house, try these winter DIY pest control tips.
Seal Doors and Windows
Pests are able to enter your home through even the tiniest of gaps. Sealing off your home will help keep pests outdoors. Pay special attention to cracks around windows and doors. Install weather stripping in these areas and use caulk and other appropriate sealants to eliminate cracks. Sealing your home will also have the added benefit of preventing heat from escaping your home so that you can stay comfortable and save on utility bills.
Keep the Kitchen Clean
When you want a snack or a drink, you go to the kitchen. Pests do the same thing. They will be attracted to crumbs, spills, and dirty dishes sitting in the sink. Simply keeping the kitchen clean can eliminate easy food sources for pests. Make sure you wipe down surfaces, sweep regularly, and store food in airtight containers.
Spray Your Christmas Tree
If you plan on bringing a live Christmas tree into the house, keep in mind that you may also be bringing in thousands of bugs. Fortunately, this is an easy fix. Simply spray the tree with a mixture of soap and water. This will suffocate the bugs and leave you with a pest-free tree.
Store Firewood Away from the House
There is nothing quite like a roaring fire on a cold day. Just keep in mind that storing your firewood near your home is another way to inadvertently invite pests inside. No one wants to go get firewood in the cold, but it is worth taking a few extra steps if it means preventing an infestation.
Inspect Your Pipes
Make sure that there aren’t any gaps around your plumbing in places where it enters the home and be on the lookout for leaks. Pests will also be searching for water sources and a leaky pipe can do the trick. Seal off any space around pipes and repair any leaks.
If you want additional help preparing your home for winter and keeping pests outdoors, call the experts at PMi Pest Management. We can help you enjoy a pest-free home throughout the year.
