As we move into winter, and away from the prime time of summer pests, not all your worries are left behind. With the colder temperatures looming, pests and other animals are looking for a warm place to cozy up for the winter, and your home is the ideal hideaway. Pest control throughout Canada is something that never ends at the end of the summer season, rather, it becomes a little more up-close and personal as the seasons start to change.
Food, warmth, and water are what attracts pests to your door during the winter months. Looking for a place to keep warm, reproduce, and survive the winter cold, keeping your home protected is a job that needs to be taken seriously. Following this simple winter checklist is going to make your time indoors much more pleasant, and pest free.
- Winterizing your home is becoming more of a common term, and is the expression used when preparing your home for winter. It involves installing, repairing, and replacing weather stripping around the doors and windows. This is going to help keep hordes of ants and cockroaches at bay. Clearing and cleaning your gutters and downspouts are going to help reduce the moisture around your home, and prevent the temptation for any pests.
- Decluttering your attic, basement, and odd spaces around the house will similarly eliminate the temptation for rodents or other pests to make themselves comfortable. It’s best to work your way from the outside in, clearing the shed and garage clutter, slowly moving into the house, attic, and basement. All pests love clutter, from the tiniest ant to the most recognizable raccoon.
- Sealing all gaps and cracks is a must in preventing the entry of rats, mice, cockroaches, ants, and the list goes on. Sneaking in through a hole in the wall is the easiest way for a pest to turn themselves into a home invader. A thorough inspection of your property is needed, making sure that each and every hole, crack, and gap is sealed tightly and properly. Utilities and other pipes are the perfect places for gathering moisture, and the perfect entryway for pests.
- Move wood piles and leaves at least twenty feet away from your home and foundation. These make great nesting areas for mice and rats and are an absolute treat for termites and ants. Once a pest has taken residence in your pile of wood and leaves, getting into your home is a piece of cake. So keep this garden debris far from your home, and don’t make it easy for them.
- Moisture issues need to be addressed as soon as possible, as water is necessary and essential for a pests’ survival during winter, and is a great attraction for them. Aside from the property damage that can be caused by leaking or standing water, it is a haven for pest’s activity and something that should be addressed immediately upon discovery. If it is not taken care of, issues will soon arise.
- Proper food storage will play a huge part in keeping your pest control issues in Canada at bay, closing off any encouragement that they might find in the home. Make sure that your food has been properly and securely packed and stored away. Any temptation may just be the last temptation that a pest needs.
Protecting your home against the threat of an infestation is a proactive task that should be done and maintained regularly to ensure that your home and family are fully protected. Pest control in is best left to the experts, but helping your home be less of a target is what you are aiming to achieve, and with the help of this checklist, your winter should be house pest free.