Keeping The Pests Out In The Cold: Tips For Preventing Winter Infestations
As a homeowner, you've likely become accustomed to battling many pests throughout the spring and summer months. The warm weather is conducive to a lot of different insects, rodents, and other pests that can be a real nuisance in your house. You might think that the cold weather of winter will bring you a reprieve by killing all of the bugs and pests. This isn't actually the case, though. Winter cold temperatures are the common culprit for an overwhelming amount of pest infestations. Here are some pests control tips to help you keep pests from seeking refuge in your house.
Find Entry Points
You'd be surprised the small spaces that pests can get through when they are trying to get into your home. Grab a pencil, and take time to walk around each of your home's four walls. Look for any holes, from the foundation up. If the eraser end of the pencil will fit in the hole, it's large enough for most insects. If the hole is bigger than the pencil, it's likely big enough for a mouse to get in. Mark all of those holes so you can tackle repairs later.
Protect Your Roof
Once you have identified all of the vulnerabilities from the ground to the roof, it's time to check the roof itself. The eaves and soffits should be secured so that there are no openings available. You can cover all of these areas with wire mesh, but make sure that it's fine mesh so that the holes are small. Consider installing multiple layers set unevenly so that they are all staggered enough to keep the holes closed.
Seal Structural Gaps
Start with the holes you identified during your perimeter search, and address any and all cracks in the structure while you are at it. Holes can be covered with mesh and drywall, enclosing everything. Fill cracks with silicone or something similar, allowing it to cure before you sand it and smooth it out. Repaint the patched areas if you want to avoid unsightly appearances along the outside of your home.
The sooner you address these entry points, the less risk you will have of any mice, rodents, or insects in your home. You should also plan to address these issues before the temperatures drop, because the materials you will need for the patches will not cure properly in severe cold. Before snow flies and drives pests indoors, follow these tips to fix any vulnerable areas.
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