Natural Repellant Techniques for Winter Pests
Recently in this space, we went over some of the top prevention methods you can use to keep your home or building free of pests during the cooler fall and cold winter seasons. These include everything from blocking entryways to preventing food sources from being present, all areas that will help limit the attractiveness of your space to various pests.
At Bug Busters, we’re proud to offer a wide range of residential and commercial pest control services throughout the year, with services ranging from general exterminator solutions to tree spraying, weed elimination and many others. In today’s blog, we’re going to get a bit more specific – what are some of the most common types of pests that might still be alive and kicking during the winter season that’s quickly on its way, and how can you use natural, non-intrusive methods to ward them off? Here’s a quick primer.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are a winter pest for one major reason: They’re incredibly resilient, able to survive in a huge range of temperatures and extremely skilled at hiding in places that leave them safe. They can fit inside incredibly small cracks and stay hidden for days, weeks or even months.
If you’ve had previous cockroach infestations in your home, or even if you’ve just noticed a few and want to be sure they don’t invade further, consider eucalyptus oil. Mix 10 drops of this with about three ounces of water, then put this mixture into a spray bottle and spray it around any area where you’re worried about cockroaches.
One additional tip: Clean extremely well in areas where you’re worried about cockroaches. They need moisture and food to survive, so keeping the space free of any standing water or food sources – even little crumbs – is vital.
Mice
Mice are also common throughout the year, but particularly during winter when the weather turns cold and they’re looking for a source of warmth. They’re dangerous not only because of the structural damage they can bring to your home, but also the diseases they may carry and spread to humans.
One great natural trick to ward off mice: Mothballs, which mice appear to be frightened of for some reason. Place these in all major areas where mice might be a risk, and they should be scared off.
Raccoons
A larger rodent to consider here is the raccoon, which may appear cute to some – it’s definitely not, and it will cause major issues. Not only do raccoons often host rabies, a dangerous and often deadly condition, they also hide in areas like your chimneys, wood areas or even your trash cans, and will create all sorts of havoc through chewing and other forms of damage.
A good natural repellent to raccoons is ammonia – ensure you’re very safe as you use this, as it can be toxic to humans as well. Spray small amounts in common raccoon areas for the best results.
For more on natural methods for preventing common winter pests, or to learn about any of our exterminator services, speak to the staff at Bug Busters today.