Fall Home or Building Pest Prevention Tips, Part 2

In part one of this two-part blog series, we dug into some of the primary areas you should be considering when it comes to fall pest prevention. This transitional period between summer and winter is a great chance to prepare the home or building from potential pest invaders during the cold season.

At Bug Busters, we’re here to provide comprehensive residential and commercial pest control services, including assisting you with your fall pest control preparation and upkeep needs. Here are a few additional tips we can offer on basic storage and home organization areas that can go a long way toward preventing winter pests from invading during the upcoming season.

Pet Food Storage

One of the primary reasons pests look to invade your home at any point of the year, but particularly during winter: They’re looking for food. Rodents like mice and rats, especially, are not picky about the food they eat and will hone in on any source they can find in accessible areas.

One such potential source is any pet food that’s left strewn around, whether it’s leftovers from your pet’s bowl after they eat or food that’s not stored well. All pet food should be stored in a lidded metal can – mice and rats cannot climb or enter these containers. Sealed plastic containers will also generally work.

Items on the Floor

Down related lines, keep any items that might attract mice or rodents off the floor. This means periodically sweeping up debris and checking the space. If you previously stored any items on the floor, use wire rack shelving instead – this will prevent moisture from forming underneath, which can attract many insect types.

While you’re clearing the floor area, check for mouse droppings or any other evidence of a pest infestation, such as insect trails. If you note these, contact our exterminators to help eliminate them.

Sink Cabinets and Clutter

All your cabinets should be cleaned out and de-cluttered at least once or twice a year, and it’s important not to forget about any sink cabinets here. These cabinets are more prone to moisture buildups, and they also often contain cleaning chemicals or other sources that certain pests might be drawn to.

Humidity Control and Spider Prevention

If you have a basement in your home or building, you may have noticed it’s the most common area for spotting spiders. This is because basements can become more humid than other areas of the home, a condition that attracts spiders. To remedy this if it’s a concern, use a dehumidifier to drop the humidity level to 40%, plus sweep up cobwebs and other spider evidence. Within a week or two, the area should be completely spider-free.

For more on fall pest prevention tips to prepare for winter, or to learn about any of our exterminator services, speak to the staff at Bug Busters today.