Winterizing Your Home to Keep Pests Out

As winter approaches, we naturally look to find coziness in warmer places, especially inside our house. Similarly, as the weather cools, insects and pests will also seek refuge from the elements, and your home could be the place for them. When winterizing your home and preparing for the weather, pest control should be a priority.

Spiders, rats, mice, wasps, ants can be almost anywhere and everywhere. You don’t even need to invite them. These pests are trying to enter homes for warmth during the winter. Preparing for a bug-free winter can help you enjoy the season more.

Check out these cold weather tips to protect your home from a rodent infestation or winter pests this cold season.

Winterizing Your Home: Seal All Openings

When preparing for the winter, search for and seal any gaps in the house—windows, doors, crawl spaces, vents, wall and foundation cracks, etc. You would be surprised at how small a gap pests and rodents can fit into both your home and outside. So keep an eye on all openings outside your home as well to avoid a rodent infestation.

Insects and vermin can be kept out of your home by using silicone caulk as a basic sealant or concrete instead of sand, as they can scrape sand away easily. If you aren’t sure how or where rodents and winter pests are entering your home, you may need pest control professionals.

Winterizing Your Home: Remove Easy Access to Food

If food is left lying around, this will be a massive attraction for rodents and pests looking to escape the cold weather. Keep food storage off ground levels and store in sealed containers. Keep trash cans sealed tightly and away from your home. This way, if pests are attracted to your trash, they won’t automatically come into your house. Make sure you are sweeping floors regularly and maintaining a clean household to reduce the risk of unwanted visitors.

Winterizing Your Home: Store Items Safely

If you have exterior firewood stores, always keep the wood dry and clean to keep it free from pests. Check wood thoroughly before bringing it into the house to make sure nothing is in the wood and enters your home unexpectedly. This goes for other times you store outside and frequently take indoors, including furniture or ornaments.

Winterizing Your Home: Clear Up Debris

If you are prone to having large piles of leaves or debris around your property, sweep them up and dispose of them regularly. Mice especially can burrow into abandoned piles of leaves, and from here, they can find a way into your home. Plants and flowers can provide a breeding ground for winter pests, and make sure you clear up dead flowers and untidy flowerbeds can reduce the possibility of infestations over the winter.

Use Pest Control Services

If you live in the Vancouver area and have a rodent infestation or concerns about winter pests in your home, then you need Pest Detective. With over 30 years of experience in the pest control industry, we are well served and experienced in removing all pest problems in both residential and commercial properties. Get your free quote today!