Now that the weather is cooling down many of us will be spending more time indoors. This means unwanted guests will want to come inside too. From rodents to insects, here are some helpful tips that will better equip you to keep your home pest-free.
Fall Pests That are Commonly Encountered:
Rodents
Mice and rats that have been making their homes outside will be seeking a warm place to make their winter nests. If your home becomes a target, they will find a way inside, making a big mess and putting your household at risk of disease.
Recognize the Signs
Rodents typically make their nests in walls, closets, pantries, and attics. Look for droppings, gnaw marks, and scattered materials like paper or furniture stuffing.
Rats and mice will often chew through insulation, walls, wires, and get into food containers. They are known to carry diseases and leave behind toxic feces.
Prevent Rodents
- Store garbage, pet food, and dry goods in well-sealed containers
- Check your house perimeter for cracks or holes that could allow pests in
- Seal or caulk all entries around pipes, vents, or electrical boxes
- Call a pest control service if traps are ineffective
Flies
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean that bugs will go away, they just come indoors. Insects like flies will be looking for warmth and they often find it in your home where they may also find food.
Prevent Flies
- Remove sources of food, such as dirty dishes, garbage, or other items that attract flies
- Cover produce that typically sits out on the counter
- To prevent new generations of flies, contact a professional to get rid of flies
Stinging Insects
Cold weather makes food scarce for bees, wasps, yellow jackets, or hornets. If you have a garage, shed, barn, or a similar structure on your property, chances are these stinging insects could have moved their nest inside. Because of the lack of food, yellowjackets may become more aggressive so use caution
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Prevent Stinging Bees and Wasps
- Seal or caulk cracks in walls, roof, or around windows where wasps or bees may be able to build a nest
- The queen may hibernate in a structure until spring when the bee problem comes back
- If you find a nest do not attempt to remove it, contact a professional who can do it safely
Ants
Like other common pests, ants will be looking for food and warmth in the fall season. If they don’t make a home in your house, they will at least be coming inside in search of food.
Prevent Ants
- Remove food sources from reach, including garbage or counter produce
- Keep food in sealed containers that don’t allow ants to get in
- Track ant trails to the source and set bait traps
- If the problem persists, call a professional to get rid of ants
Cockroaches
Dark, damp places are a cockroach’s favorite habitat. Basements, attics, or garages are common places to find a cockroach infestation. Your best bet against cockroaches is maintaining a clean home. The fewer places that a cockroach has to hide or find food the less likely they will stick around.
Prevent Cockroaches
- Remove unnecessary clutter from your garage, attic, or basement
- Dry out moisture that could have collected indoors
- Avoid leaving food or garbage out where it can be found by pests
Call a Professional
You may be vigilant in your pest control and prevention, but sometimes pest infestations can get out of hand despite your best efforts. In this case, don’t let the pest problem persist, reach out to a pest control expert. They will be able to recognize the signs of an infestation, the source of the problem, and what kind of pest has taken up residence in your home.
Senske technicians will safely and effectively remove pests from your property and prevent them from coming back so that you and your family can get back to being cozy this fall.
No matter what your pest problem is, we are here to help. Contact your local Senske Services to get a free quote on pest control services.
