Shorter days, colder temperatures and autumn rains signal the arrival of fall. Though it might be hard to believe, before too long, cold weather will be moving into the Baltimore area, and—as always—overstaying its welcome. And as you and your family take to your home for warm and dry refuge, so do pests.
At Armor Pest Control, we take pride in our work and in helping the families of Baltimore eradicate pests and keep homes safe, clean, and comfortable. To help with this mission, in this blog we will be focusing on some of the ways you can keep your home free of pests and rodents as the weather changes. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Add the below tips to your list of winter-preparation tasks.
Eliminate Pest Habitats
As temperatures begin to drop, insects and rodents are going to start looking for warmer places to stay. Therefore, begin by walking around your home and looking for any potential pest and rodent habitats.
Insects typically seek locations that are covered, free of moisture, and safe from predators. In addition to looking for any objects or features that may serve as a portal for insects to enter your home. The following list can provide you with an idea of where pests may take refuge.
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Gutters and Downspouts—Debris that has accumulated in your gutters and downspouts can provide a suitable habitat for bugs. To keep them from possibly moving into your home, clean out gutters and downspouts thoroughly, making sure that water can flow freely—this will also keep your roof and gutters in optimal condition.
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Firewood—If you burn wood or have a collection of lumber outside your home, store it as far away from the house as possible. A stack of wood can be an ideal habitat for not just insects, but also snakes and rodents.
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Push Back Mulch and Debris—If you have garden beds or trees around your home, it is likely that leaves and/or mulch are pushed up against your home. Eliminate any debris or leaves that are resting against your residence. This includes rock piles, old boards, bricks, etc. If insects have taken refuge there, when it gets colder, the decision to make their way into your home will be a no-brainer.
Seal Access Points
After eradicating some of the potential pest habitats, you will then want to make sure that they have no easy way into your home. This will not only help with pest and rodent control, but it will also keep the heat in and cold air out.
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Check Seals Around Windows and Doors—Replace worn weather stripping and add caulking to any vulnerable areas. Remember, bugs and rodents don’t need much room to get in.
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Inspect Basement Windows—Windows located at ground level are prime access points. Pay close attention to these areas, and if seals are missing or concrete is chipped, consider a replacement.
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Seal Pipe Entry Points—Pests like cockroaches will often enter your home through outside connections like gas or water pipes. Check these areas and do your best to seal them off from outside invaders.
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Secure Vents—Vents that go into the attic or bathrooms are an easy entry point for pests. Inspect these vents and make sure that they are equipped with proper screens and don’t have any gaps or holes.
Perform Home Pest Control
The last necessary wall of defense against preventing an infestation is to create a chemical barrier in and around your household. To schedule this treatment for your home, contact the exterminators at Armor Pest Control. We specialize in pest and rodent control, as well as termite and bed bug treatments. Contact Armor Pest Control for all your residential and commercial pest control needs!