Tips for Keeping Pests Out This Fall
Rake and Dispose of Leaves as Soon as Possible
Is there anything quite as picturesque as a pile of fiery red, orange, and yellow leaves on a crisp fall afternoon? We’ll leave the ultimate verdict up to you while recommending that you take a picture instead of leaving the pile in your yard for more than a few days. Leaves provide all of the pests discussed above — as well as many others — with shelter and can bring them into close proximity with your home. Once that shelter has been disposed of, they’ll come looking for another place to take refuge.
On a related note, keep the rest of your landscape maintained to deter pests. Make sure that you’ve cleared leaves and other debris from your gutters; winterize your barbeque and clean it thoroughly; and if you plan to enjoy fires that require real wood, be sure to store the lumber at least 20 feet away from your home.
Winterize Your Property
Although there are still several months before the first day of winter, it’s never too early to winterize your property and ensure that it’s protected from both pests and energy loss
Start by examining your home’s exterior for any areas that could provide pests with easy access to your home. Look for cracks, crevices, and other openings that could provide unhindered access to heat, food, and water. Fill and repair any openings you discover. If you have larger gaps and openings that can’t be filled with caulk or fixed with a new screen, steel wool can act as an effective short-term fix that prevents pests from entering. However, keep in mind that steel wool won’t protect you from heat loss. Ultimately, investing in whatever it takes to properly seal your home will protect you from pests and reduce the amount of heat you consume when you turn your furnace on!
Inspect Secluded Areas
As you can see from the discussion above, many of the most common pests we treat during the fall season take refuge in secluded areas that aren’t frequently used. It’s always a good idea to inspect your basement, crawl space, attic, and other less frequently used areas of your home to look for anything out of the ordinary. Keep an eye out for all of the common signs of the pests discussed above and, if something doesn’t look right, you can always contact our team to schedule an inspection. Here at Anchor Pest Services, we believe that it’s always best to err on the side of caution