Winter Pest Precautions

Keeping your home pest-free this winter is a task best left to a pest management professtional. Homeowners can help by following some of these simple pest prevention tips listed below:

Rats: Norway rats can fit through an opening as small as a quarter. To keep these rodents from sneaking into the home unnoticed, inspect the outside of the home for any gaps or cracks and fill them with silicone caulk and steel wool.

Mice: House mice are known to contaminate food, spread disease and cause property damage by chewing through drywall and wires or by foraging on countertops and in kitchen cabinets. Homeowners should be aware of any scurrying sounds in walls and regularly inspect for signs of mice, such as droppings, gnaw marks and damaged food.

Spiders: Many types of spiders are found inside items, such as shoes, gloves and baseball mitts, that aren’t used as frequently as other things around the house. People should store these items inside plastic containers to prevent spiders from crawling inside.

Cockroaches: German cockroaches prefer to live in cracks and crevices close to food and moisture, which is why they are commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms. As such, homeowners should keep their counters and floors clean, vacuum frequently and dispose of garbage on a regular basis.

Raccoons: This type of wild animal occasionally enters homes through attics or chimneys in search of a nesting site. Homeowners should install a mesh cover or cap over chimneys and other exposed openings to prevent entry. It’s also a good idea to install door sweeps and repair damaged screens in windows.