Ridding Your Home of Insects

4 Tips For Winterizing Your Home Against Pests

by Ted Miller

Winter is well on its way, and while you have likely winterized your home already, you may not have taken the proper measures to winterize your home specifically for pests. Here are four tips that will help you set up a line of defense and hopefully prevent any pest-related issues this winter.

Tip #1: Tighten Things Up

One of the first steps that you should take is tightening up the perimeter of your home. This means that you should search the perimeter of your home for any gaps or holes that could allow pests to enter your home. You should also look inside your home. Take the time to look in the corners, inside cabinets, and behind furniture for any gaps or holes. If you find any, use caulking or protective sealant to create a line of defense against pests that are looking for a warm place to stay during the wintertime. Don't forget to also check around doors and windows.

Tip #2: Remove Clutter

Prior to the weather getting too cold, take the time to inspect the outside of your property and get rid of anything that is cluttering up your yard. Pests such as stink bugs, rodents, and spiders love to make themselves at home inside any old junk that is just laying around in the yard. So, whether it is an old tire, a piece of metal, or something else entirely, get it taken care of before you wind up with a costly and annoying pest problem.

Tip #3: Take Care with Wood and Leaf Piles

Leaves will be falling throughout the fall and winter, which will require you to do some raking. In addition, you will need to gather firewood in order to keep your house warm (assuming you have a fireplace). It is important that your leaf and wood piles are at least 20 feet away from your home. These piles are warm areas that create the perfect environment for pests, and the closer they are to your home, the more likely it is that you will have a pest problem inside the home. In addition, avoid bringing firewood into the home until you are ready to burn it because many insects to like to live in or on the firewood, which means you could be bringing pests inside the home with the wood.

Tip #4: Watch Out for Moisture

Inspect all areas of your home for leaks, particularly bathrooms, the basement, and the attic. Just as you need water to survive, pests do as well. When moisture accumulates in an area of your home, it will attract pests of all sorts to your home and potentially damage your home at the same time.

If you end up having a pest problem, contact a local pest control service for help. 

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