Help Keep Pests Away From Your Home This Fall or Winter

There are two main seasons when pests try to sneak their way into your home: spring and fall.

During the spring, they are looking for an area to lay their eggs or have babies. For the fall, they’re looking for a warm place to weather out the cold winter. Most pests seek out quiet, warm, and dry areas to create their nests for the upcoming season.

The most common pests are (but are not limited to):

  • Wasps
  • Ants
  • Asian Lady Beetles
  • Mice
  • Rats
  • Birds
  • Squirrels
  • Raccoons

To help keep pests at bay, here’s a list of five steps you can take.

#1: Examine your exterior for damage

The first thing you should do is examine your exterior for cracks, holes, loose siding or soffit, etc. These are common spots where they can get in or create bigger holes. For example, a raccoon can squeeze its way into your attic via a small hole or loose area in your soffit as they’ll use their body weight and some determination to rip the soffit down.

#2: Fasten or replace problem areas

If you see any loose or missing siding, fasten it back down or replace it. Gaps or cracks that appear in wood siding can be caulked to create a clean seal. Even outside and inside corner posts can be caulked to ensure a sealed finish. Typically, any area that you can get into can be sealed off to help get rid of the pest and keep them out.

If you see any loose or fallen down soffits, fascia or eavestroughing, refasten them into place or replace them altogether. These are spots where bigger rodents, wasps, and Asian lady beetles can populate.

#3: Use metal venting for your roof

Depending on what type of venting your use for your roof, you could be susceptible to pests. Rodents can easily chew through plastic venting. It’s always best to use a Critter Cage that is available through all Buchner Manufacturing locations.

With metal venting, make sure that it is secured down because even the smallest corner that is coming away from the roof can help rodents get inside.

#4: Check on wood areas of your home

Another area around the house that you need to rodent-proof is between the front or back door where water sits and expands and contracts. This area could eventually end up creating holes in the wood. Firewood piles are also an area where pests like to make their homes, such as snakes and mice.

#5: Pest control

Lastly, keeping up with pest control around your exterior can help keep the critters and bugs away, as it deters them from gravitating towards your home in the first place.

Pest proofing your home doesn’t have to be a big ordeal or a costly one. By following these steps, you’ll keep the pests at bay and prevent unnecessary damage.