(Newswire.net — October 23, 2023) — Cooler fall air means more families open their doors and windows to enjoy the comfortable weather. It reduces utility costs, and the fresh air is welcome in many homes. With fresh air comes unwelcome visitors, such as bugs and pests. Leaving doors and windows open invites pests to enter your home, but there are a few things you can do to keep your home pest-free this fall.
1- Keep Moisture to a Minimum
Many bugs seek moist areas to hide from the elements. The best way to keep your home pest-free in the fall is to avoid providing pests with a moist area to call home. If you have moist areas in the house, such as basements and attics, a dehumidifier is a helpful tool to dry out these rooms. Checking for leaks in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens minimizes the risk of additional moisture in your home. Checking the pipes for leaks also prevents bugs from finding the right atmosphere in your home.
2- Replace Weatherstripping and Re-Caulk Windows and Doors
Weatherstripping is a helpful tool in many ways. Not only does it allow you to keep your home energy costs down, but it also keeps pests out. When bugs don’t have a way into the house, they stay outdoors. Unfortunately, caulking and weather stripping are not long-lasting and should be replaced every few years.
3- Clean the Gutters
Dirty, damp gutters invite bugs. When bugs find a home in your gutters, they also find a way into your home. You’re less likely to find bugs in your home if they’re not already seeking shelter in the gutters. Cleaning out your gutters before spring and fall each year is one way to minimize the presence of bugs near your home.
4- Correctly Store All Food
Bugs love to eat. They are attracted to food that’s left out, dishes that are not cleaned, and even pet food that sits out. To prevent pests from entering your home this fall, keep your food items properly stored. Wash your dishes daily. Empty pet food bowls at night. Do not leave garbage bags with food items uncovered.
If bugs permeate your kitchen space, throw away contaminated food. Using bug spray can help kill the bugs already in your home, but ridding the kitchen of food with pests in it is safest for your family and pets. Do not use bug spray on or around food you plan to keep.
5- Use Pest Control or Spray for Specific Bugs
A clean home and yard are both simple methods of keeping bugs at bay during any season. However, it’s not a foolproof method. Depending on where you live and the type of bugs common to your area, it’s the use of specific pest control sprays for specific bugs and pest control that keep pests away. Pest control companies speak with homeowners about their specific needs, and they create a pest control schedule and plan that works. A good pest control company can also recommend specific sprays that best control specific pests. Pest control companies also help homeowners understand what they can do to prevent bugs from being attracted to their homes in the first place.