Pests affect around 600,000 homes in the United States each year. So no matter how tidy your home looks, you aren’t immune to a pest infestation. Getting on top of an infestation is vital if you want to minimize damage to your property.
In fact, every year termite issues alone cost Americans $5 billion to repair! However, you can save yourself a lot of money by using do it yourself pest control preventative measures.
Want to know more about how to protect your home from pests this fall? Then you’re in the right place!
Read on to find out our top tips for protecting your new home from pests this fall.
Common Pest Control Problems in Fall
Throughout the year, different pest problems can affect your home. This is because different seasons bring out different pests. So knowing what to look for in fall won’t be the same as summer!
In Memphis, winter and fall can bring certain pests out of the woodwork (or into it!) Some of these unwelcome guests include:
- Rodents, such as mice, roof rats, and raccoons
- Ants and ant nests
- Cockroaches
- Other insects, including mosquitos, spiders, and stinkbugs
One of the biggest issues for winter and fall is that the drop in temperature means these pests are more likely to come into your home. And once they arrive they won’t want to leave!
This is why it’s important to prevent pests where possible and to get on top of any issues as quickly as you can. The best way to do this is to create an unwelcoming environment for them. This doesn’t mean your home will be unpleasant for you to live in, it just won’t be what a pest is looking for!
Let’s take a look at what you need to do to start pest-proofing your home for the fall.
Inspecting Your Home
As fall comes around, the first thing you need to do is take a good look around your new home. This is the best way of spotting potential issues as soon as possible.
Some pest problems, such as broken screens or cracks in walls are easy to spot. However, you should also have a close look in your attics, crawl spaces, and basements. Doing a thorough inspection at the beginning of the season will mean you don’t miss anything!
This is also a good time to keep an eye out for any existing signs of pests in your home. For example, droppings at the backs of cupboards or in your basement suggest a rodent issue. Or you may find an ants nest tucked away somewhere.
Even if there isn’t much other evidence of pests in your home, this is when it’s a good idea to get in touch with pest control companies. They’ll be able to do a more thorough inspection and deal with any infestations. You don’t want to take a chance with this and give the problem a chance to escalate!
Once you’ve carried out your inspection you’ll have an idea of problems that need fixing. Let’s take a look at what these issues might include and some of the “do it yourself” pest control tips to deal with them!
Keep Moisture to a Minimum
As the temperature becomes milder in Memphis during the fall, rainwater and other moisture take longer to dry out. This means that any moisture in your home will linger.
Pests often seek out homes with moisture in them because they need this to survive. So keeping your home dry will help to keep the pests away. There are a couple of ways you can do this.
Keeping your home well ventilated is key. Make sure your bathrooms are fitted with proper fans and keep your windows open where possible. For tricky-to-ventilate areas, like your basement or garage, you can use dehumidifiers.
Your drains and plumbing system are another potential source of moisture in your home. Staying on top of your drain maintenance will stop these from becoming a problem. This is why it’s a good idea to have a proper outdoor drainage system in place before winter arrives.
You should also check your roof tiles and clean out your gutters. This is another way that moisture can get into your home. Keeping these in good shape will also protect your home from a number of other weather-related issues in the winter!
Block Their Entrances
The best way to keep pests out of your home is to block their way in! This can be trickier than it sounds as pests can often get through tiny cracks or holes.
Some places to look for cracks include:
- Around utility pipes coming into your home
- Around the foundation of your home
- Around your home’s windows
- In and underneath doorframes
If you find any cracks you should seal these with caulk or steel wool. If you aren’t certain how to do this, a local expert will be able to help you.
Obviously, you can’t block every entrance to your home. This is where installing screens can help.
Having screens over your windows, doors, chimneys, and pet flaps will help keep pests out. It is important that you check these regularly for tears and replace them if there is a problem.
Keep Your Home Clean and Tidy
Keeping your home in good shape will also deter pests from coming in, especially rodents. If they can’t find food in your home then they are less likely to settle there.
This is why it is important to keep your food stored away properly and not to leave it out on the kitchen counters. Ideally, store your food in air-tight containers in your cupboards, so mice can’t get into it. Pests will also happily go for dog or cat food so don’t leave this sitting out for too long either.
When getting rid of garbage, make sure you empty your bins regularly and close them properly. If a pest sees a chance to get into your bins you will end up with a big mess on your hands!
Keeping the rest of your home clean also gives pests fewer places to hide. Piles of laundry or messy floors make the perfect homes for spiders and mice. So try to keep your floors and surfaces clear!
Check What You Bring In
Even if you’ve blocked the entrances to your home, you can bring pests in with you. This is most common with insects.
This is why it’s important to check yourself and anything you bring in with you, especially if you live in the countryside.
Before going into your home, check your clothes and shoes for signs of insects. You should also check in your grocery bags or on deliveries that have been sitting outside.
If you are bringing something in from your garage or outhouse, make sure you check this thoroughly first. These places are harder to secure against pests. The last thing you want is to bring a pest in yourself!
Be Careful About Storing Firewood
As the temperature dips, you might be thinking ahead to the winter and stocking up your firewood supplies. If so, be careful about how you arrange your wood. This can make the perfect home for a whole host of pests.
Rather than stacking your firewood against your home, keep it at least twenty feet away. This means pests won’t have anywhere to hide when trying to find a way into your house!
For the same reason, it’s a good idea to keep the shrubbery around your home trimmed back. Overgrown bushes or hedges will mask potential entrances for pests.
Dealing With an Infestation
Putting these “do it yourself” pest control tips in place can help to keep pests out of your home during the fall. However, as their name suggests, they are extremely sneaky and some may still find their way in.
If so, the most important thing to do is the deal with the problem as soon as possible. The sooner you deal with a pest problem, the easier it will be to handle. Once a problem becomes established and pests begin to breed, it can take a long time to get rid of them all!
This is why you should get professional help at the first sign of a pest problem. They’ll be able to provide expert advice on the best way to manage different pests. And they have access to the best pest control products on the market, to deal with your problem in no time at all.
Protect Your Home With Do it Yourself Pest Control Tips or Get Professional Help
As you can see, there are plenty of things you can do to discourage pests from coming into your home. Keep these do it yourself pest control tips in mind for a pest-free* home this fall.
For more help dealing with your pest control issues, get in touch with expert pest control services today. We’re here to help!
