There are many things to be concerned about in life. We are in the business of helping homeowners reduce their concerns by helping them find great ways to combat pest pressures. As we get closer to winter here in Riverside, a wide range of creatures will be looking for places to shelter during the colder months. Our goal is to make sure your home is not one of their options. To help you combat overwintering pests, here are some things you should know.
Clean Your Living Areas
Of all of the Riverside pest prevention tips we are offering today, keeping your living areas clean is by far the most important. Many pests thrive in dirty environments. If your home or property offers pests plenty of places to hide and lots of tasty foods and beverages to feed on, they will be much more likely to infest your home this winter.
We recommend starting with a deep clean of your home. This should include washing beneath appliances, under furniture, and around other areas that are not usually attended to. Another helpful tip is to organize your home and living areas. Reduce clutter as much as possible and consider getting rid of items you do not need. Finally, keep things clean and tidy. We cannot stress how important this is to do.
Seal Your Exterior
Most pests find their way into homes by crawling through holes caused by exterior damage. To keep your home’s exterior as sealed as possible, here are some exclusion tips to try:
- Use a caulking gun and some silicone caulk to fill in holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.
- Address damage to your home’s siding, roofline, and chimney.
- Make sure your chimney is capped.
- Keep unscreened windows and doors closed. This includes second and third-story windows.
- Fix or replace broken screens, weatherstripping, and door sweeps.
Use these tips to seal outbuildings as well.
Store Food Properly
When pests invade homes, they can find food in a variety of places. Prevent pests from snacking around your living areas by storing leftovers inside air-tight containers. Do the same for pet food and food stored in cardboard boxes or plastic bags. In addition to this, make sure your trash cans are protected with pest-proof lids. Finally, clean out your pets' food and water bowls after they finish a meal.
Be Careful With Holiday Decorations
One way overwintering pests get into homes is by hiding inside boxes of holiday decorations. If you do not check boxes thoroughly before bringing them indoors, you might accidentally start an infestation inside your home. One way to solve this is to store your holiday decorations indoors and inside large, sealable plastic totes.
Address Moisture Build-Up
All pests need moisture. Address moisture build-up in and around your home by repairing leaky pipes, making sure your gutters are clean and working properly, using a dehumidifier, and pouring out and wiping up moisture sites.
Contact A Professional
Most people do not have the time or energy to properly prevent overwintering pests. If you would like a simpler option to keep invasive creatures out of your living areas, our team at Power Pros Pest Control would be happy to help out.
We offer a range of general pest control plans designed to guard homes against overwintering pests. It all starts with a thorough inspection. We will evaluate your home and property and inform you of what pest pressures you are up against and then recommend some options to keep them outside. Call today to schedule an appointment for your Riverside home or to get a quote for services. We also offer commercial pest control in Riverside for business owners.