Winter Pest Prevention Tips
Did you know that cockroaches are the most common pest in North Carolina? These hardy bugs can live all year long, so you won’t be able to ignore the problem and hope it goes away. You must be diligent to avoid sharing your home with those pesky unwanted roommates.
We’re here with a few winter pest prevention tips to keep your home pest-free so you can stay warm, cozy, and safe all winter. Read on to learn more.
Store Firewood Away from the Home
Do you love having a warm, roaring fire in your home during the winter? It’s great for providing ambiance, perfect lighting, and a comfortable interior temperature, but if you use wood in your fireplace, you may accidentally invite pests in.
If you’re buying wood from the store, you may have a lower chance of bringing pests home. You can’t see the tiny pests that hitch a ride on store-bought firewood. You’re also looking for pests that reside in the store.
What if you chop your own wood? If that’s the case, it’s easy to accidentally bring home ants, beetles, and anything else that could live on a nearby tree. While these pests don’t want to be in your home, they will make themselves comfortable there.
To avoid this problem, keep your firewood outside and away from your home until you need it. It should go straight into the fireplace when ready to bring it in.
Find a dry place to store your wood to ensure it doesn’t rot.
Check Your Chimney
Speaking of the fireplace, what about your chimney? Pests can make their way into your home through the chimney, so before you start lighting fires, do an inspection.
A winter pest prevention tip is to screen any vents to the chimney to help prevent pests from getting in. Before winter starts, check the roof to ensure no unusual gaps around the chimney could allow pests into the attic.
Seal Your Home
During the chilly winter months, you likely won’t have your doors and windows open to let in the breeze. Go one step further and weather-proof (and pest-proof) your doors and windows by weatherstripping. This is important for winter pest prevention and keeping those pests out of your home.
Seal any cracks and nooks in your doors and windows so no small pests can come in and hide from the cold in your home.
Avoid Moisture
Many common household pests love moisture, and unfortunately, moisture tends to lurk in the places where we spend the least time looking. Basements, attics, and kitchen or bathroom cabinets are all prone to moisture, which means they’re also attractive to household pests.
When you’re cleaning, check these areas for signs of moisture. If you find moisture, remove it and do your best to keep the area dry. Look for (and repair) any leaks that could be causing the problem, and consider using a dehumidifier.
The air in most people’s homes is drier during the winter due to the heating systems, but don’t let that fool you. Cool and damp areas in your home will still draw in pests.
Inspect for Signs of Rodents
During the winter months, rodents will try to come into your home to stay warm. Many rodents are hibernating during this time of year, but you should still be aware of them.
Before the winter starts, a good winter pest prevention tip is that you should look for any gaps in your home’s exterior that could allow mice or squirrels into your walls. Squirrels may try to hibernate in your walls!
Even if you don’t see any potential access points, check for signs of mice in your home throughout the winter. You may notice scratching sounds in the walls, rodent feces, or bite marks. If you have pets, they may start behaving differently.
Store Your Food Well
Winter is the time for so many tasty treats, but ensure you’re storing them correctly, or you may create a winter pest prevention problem. Cockroaches and rodents love sharing meals with you.
Avoid leaving anything out on the counter uncovered. As soon as baked goods are cool, cover them and put them away. Try to opt for sealable containers for all of your goods when possible.
Buy sealable glass or plastic containers for things like cereal, sugar, and anything else that may attract bugs or rodents.
If you have pets, don’t let them graze if you can avoid it. After their meal time, as a general winter pest prevention method, it’s a good idea to put away leftover food instead of leaving it out.
Know When to Call a Pest Control Professional
If you’re still worried about pests in your home or dealing with an active infestation, it might be time to call a professional winter pest prevention company.
A pest control expert can inspect your home for any signs of pests and provide advice on protecting your property from common pests during the colder months, and also provide other winter pest prevention ideas.
If they spot an infestation, they can get rid of it immediately so you can enjoy your winter without unwanted pests as roommates.
Keep These Winter Pest Prevention Tips in Mind
The weather outside might be frightful, but that doesn’t mean you must let the pests hide from the cold in your home. These winter pest prevention tips will help you keep your home pest-free all season.
Are you in need of a pest control expert for your home? At Pest Management Systems, we’ve got you covered. Get a quick quote for your pest prevention home services today!
Disclaimer: While these steps and tips will help reduce the likelihood of a winter pest infestation, there is no guaranteed way to eliminate all risk.
