Fall is the most popular season for pest invasions. It’s unavoidable. As the season changes and the weather gets colder, you may find yourself with unwanted pests. They could be bugs, ants, or even small rodents. Either way, they are not going to be fun for you and your family. The good news is that there are actions you can take to prevent those invasions with Douglas Pest Control.

Screens

This is particularly important in open areas, like the chimney or attic vents. If you have any windows that are missing their screens, it’s a good idea to consider replacing them. You’ll want to reduce the open areas that any unwanted pests could sneak in through. This also applies if any screens are ripped or damaged. If the screen is loose as well, you’ll want to replace them.

Dry Air

One of the biggest house pest attractions is wet or damp surroundings. This means it’s important that you keep your house dry. This is particularly difficult in the basement. You’ll want to make sure there are no spaces in the walls or the window edges that would allow moisture. You may also want to look into buying a dehumidifier. These will come in handy in areas that don’t get a lot of air flow.

Cracks

Make sure there are no cracks in the walls. This means inside and outside. If you notice a crack in the siding of your house, seal it up. You may think there are still many layers between the outside and the inside. But, you don’t want to take that chance. Seal any crack/hole you see to discourage the entrance of unwanted pests.

Clean

Many pests are attracted to dirt. This could include the leftovers of last nights meal. So, to avoid these unwanted pests, you should clean your house regularly. This means the spaces that are most used, and least used. You don’t want any food residue, because that attracts unwanted pests rather quickly. If you drop a chip on the floor, don’t wait to clean it up. It’s a good idea to keep your pasta and cereal inside of plastic containers in your pantry. This prevents pests from getting at them.

Weather Stripping

Before the season changes, you want to check all your weather stripping. Make sure that it’s all working. If any piece if broken or damaged, replace them immediately. This will also help reduce your heating or electric bill. But, more importantly, makes it harder for unwanted house guests to gain access. Along with weather stripping, you should inspect your outdoor drainage system!

Open Spaces

Cluttered places are great for hiding if you’re a small pest. If you have a stack of books on the floor, you might find something hiding underneath them. You’ll want to make sure your floor is completely visible, whenever possible. This open spaces rule applies to the outside of your house as well. A good example of outdoor clutter would be firewood. If you have a stack of firewood, keep it away from the wall of your house. This prevents the critters that might be crawling on the wood from getting into your home.

Be Observant

Finally, you should be observant. Whenever you’re bringing something into the house, make sure that you inspect it for bugs before hand. If you notice strange noises or think you see something scurrying across the floor, investigate. Unfortunately, with pests, one means many.

You want to catch the problem before it starts. Of course, there is always a chance that unwanted pests (ants, rodents, mosquitos and termites) are still going to get into your home. If that happens, you can always call Gotta Bug Call Doug at (864) 582-DOUG for your personalized treatment plan.