How often do you share your home with unwanted guests? No, we are not talking about human guests, but rather pest guests. Is it a common occurrence during the summer time for you to see ant trails in your kitchen? How about other pests like flies, spiders, and cockroaches? Which pests are common in your Raleigh home? Whatever your pests are, what if we told you there were some simple prevention tips that could exclude or deter the majority of them? If you are interested in finding out these simple tips, stick around!
How The Weather Changing Affects Pest Pressures
Before we go any further, there is something you should understand. Every pest has its season. Rodents have a season, cockroaches have a season, even termites have a season. Most often these seasons are determined by one major factor, and that is the change in temperature. This is because one major similarity between the majority of pests is their inability to withstand cold weather. This is why you don’t see many pests during the winter months, that is unless they have already invaded your home. However, the adverse is also true. When the weather heats up, pests become more active. Keeping these simple facts in mind, let’s now look at some simple ways you can keep pests out of your home.
General Pest Prevention Tips
To keep a wide variety of pests out of your home you will have to target as many pests as possible with each countermeasure you take. For this reason, we have constructed this list to help you best prepare your home to be defended against a wide variety of common pests and invaders found here in North Carolina.
Seal up your home: From top to bottom, examine your home’s exterior for any gaps, cracks, or structural damages that could be allowing pests a way in. For smaller holes or cracks, use a caulking gun as a filler. For larger entry points, more extensive repair work may be required.
Reduce food sources: This can be done in a few ways. Start by as much as possible storing food in places pests can’t reach such as in airtight containers or in the fridge. Another way you can do this is by cleaning in areas you may not normally clean such as under fridges, stoves, and other appliances.
Eliminate moisture: For this, start by fixing any leaky pipes in your home. Next, consider installing dehumidifiers in particularly humid areas of your home. Finally, make sure your gutters are working properly to channel water away from your home.
Reduce clutter: Search in and around your home for anywhere clutter has been allowed to build up and do what you can to reduce or eliminate it. Keep in mind that clutter allows a variety of pests with areas to find shelter when they invade your home.
Invest in professional pest control: If you are looking for the absolute best way to deter pests year-round, you need professional pest control. With this line of protection on your side, your home will have the best chance possible to be pest-free.
Make sure your Raleigh home gets the pest control treatments it deserves. For all of your pest control needs, contact us at Pest & Termite Consultants today!