There is no doubt the warm summer days are melting into cooler autumn temperatures.  And as the weather becomes cooler, insects, rodents, and other annoying and damaging pests start to look for warm places to spend the chilly winter months.  Ants, beetles and cockroaches, cluster flies and other pests will make their way into your homes and garages. Here are four fall pest prevention tips to keep pests and rodents from entering your home in the first place. 

Seal Openings Around Your Home for Fall Pest Prevention

Complete a quick assessment around your home. Seek out spaces where there are utility openings, such as locations where wiring or pipes come into the foundation or siding of your home.  Other common entry points include areas around gas meters, dryer vents, and outdoor faucets. Even an opening as tiny as 1/16th of an inch or smaller is large enough for a spider or other insect to enter. Mice and rats can get inside with openings that are ¼ of an inch.  The larger the gap, the larger the pest or rodent that can enter your home. 

When you find tiny points of entry, use caulk, expandable foam, copper mesh or even cement to seal up any of the areas.

Seal Cracks and Gaps Around Windows and Doors 

Use weather-stripping or a silicone or acrylic latex caulk to seal cracks and gaps around the windows and doors of your home. A tip to ensure a good seal is to clean the area well and remove any caulk that has been previously installed.  Leaving dirt, or any sort of worn caulk means a poor adherence to any new caulk being added.  

Fall is also a good time to look at your garage door if it is attached to your home. If your garage door is not aligning with the ground, it is a good time to attach a rubber seal to the bottom of the door. This will keep pests out of your garage, but also help to keep heat inside during the winter. Sliding glass doors can also be sealed with foam weather stripping and provide the same benefits. 

Install a Chimney Cap

Chimneys are often overlooked areas of pest and rodent entry. By simply installing a chimney cap, you can keep our bird, rats, bats, and other wildlife.  Creatures will either find their way into your home or build their nest right inside the chimney to keep warm.  

Similar to a chimney, attic vents are also inviting to bats, squirrels, and rodents. Install a ¼ inch wire mesh over the vents, or chimney, to keep out unwanted wildlife. 

Survey Conditions Around Your Home 

Often, the exterior of our home is most inviting to pests.  Woodpiles, overgrown trees, shrubs, and overgrown garden spaces are welcome environments to rodents and many insects.  By cleaning up unnecessary detritus and shrubbery, pests will seek to build their homes somewhere more appealing. 

When to Call An Expert for Fall Pest Prevention

If you try all of these tips, you can be confident you are protecting your home from unwanted pests and rodents. However, if for some reason they fail, it may be time to contact a local pest management company or reliable pest control company.  Contacting a professional is the best way to ensure you are eliminating any pests or rodents safely in the most effective way. Pest control professionals have the knowledge and experience, to get rid of your most difficult infestations.

 

If you believe you may have been in contact with Bed Bugs, we’re here to help! AANTEX Pest Control offers a variety of free inspections and services the entire Bay Area. 1-800-471-5555