With the start of a new year, there are many things you can do to maintain a comfortable and pest-free home. In this article, we will discuss helpful tips and insights when it comes to pest-proofing your home and the type of pests you can expect to encounter at the beginning of the year.
Common Winter Pests
Because the Pacific Northwest typically experiences milder weather conditions in the winter, many pests remain active year-round. Some common pests you may encounter during these colder months include rodents, ants, spiders, and cockroaches. While these pests are vastly different from one another, one thing they share in common is their preferred habitat during the winter months: homes. These pests spend their time looking for food and shelter and can commonly find both necessities inside people’s homes.
Seal Entry Points
One of the best things you can do for your home is to seal any potential entry points. Pests can only come inside your home if they are brought inside by packages or luggage, or through small openings throughout your home. Use materials like caulk and weatherstripping to seal your home. Look for areas throughout the interior and exterior of your home, paying extra attention to your home’s foundation and baseboards. It is also vital to ensure that your home’s doors and windows are properly sealed without any cracks or gaps.
Keep Your Home Clean
It is also essential to keep your home clean – particularly your kitchen area. Pests need food to survive and are usually attracted to kitchens where they might find food scraps, spills, or leftover crumbs. By keeping your home clean, you can help make your home less attractive to pests.
Organize Cluttered Areas
Keeping your home organized can also help keep pests from staying inside your home. The pests that are the most active during the colder months usually like to remain hidden. These pests will hide in cluttered areas that are usually left untouched. It can be helpful to keep your home organized and clutter-free. Some common areas for pests to hide might include bookshelves, behind picture frames, in drawers, cupboards, or pantries, and other areas similar to these.
Remove Trash Regularly
As part of keeping your home clean, you can remove an additional main attractant for pests: trash. Pests are attracted to areas that smell and the trash inside your home could be what’s leading pests inside. Keep the trash inside your home sealed with a closed lid and take out your trash regularly to prevent your kitchen from smelling like leftover food. This will make it harder for pests to detect your home.
Prevention is key when it comes to pest control. Take these preventative measures to help keep your home safe during this upcoming new year. Remember that regular maintenance throughout the year can help save you from the hassle and problems that come with a pest infestation. If you are experiencing an increase in pests, contact your local Insight Pest Solutions today at (888) 414-1430. We are always happy to help and want to make your home a pest-free place.
