How to Pest Proof My House
How to pest proof my house. Now that flowers have started blooming and temperatures have risen, insects often march indoors in search of a consistent food and water supply. Taking time to pest proof your home is an important task to keep those nasty creepy-crawlers out of your house. If done correctly, pest proofing your home actually creates a long-term savings in pest management costs and hassle.
Doing you best to pest proof your house by following the tips provided below will help you manage those awful, unwanted pests. A side benefit of taking time to pest proof your house could be an improvement in its energy efficiency, resulting in a welcome reduction in utility bills.
We recommend implementing these tips to pest proof your house:
PEST PROOF THE INTERIOR OF YOUR HOUSE
- Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around basement foundation and windows.
- Ensure downspouts and gutters are functioning properly so that water flows away from your home’s foundation.
- Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed away from your home. Cut back limbs overhanging the roof.
- Clean up fruit that falls from trees in the yard.
- Keep garbage in tightly covered receptacles.
- Dispose of garbage on a regular basis.
- Wipe down counter tops and sweep floors regularly to remove crumbs and residue from spills.
- Store food in sealed containers and keep ripe fruit in the refrigerator.
- Routinely check under sinks for areas of moisture and repair any leaky pipes.
- Keep pet bowls clean and wipe up any spilled food or water around them promptly.
- Avoid leaving pet food out in dishes for long periods of time.
- Store dry pet food in a sealed plastic container rather than the paper bags they often come in.
- Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
- Inspect items such as boxes, grocery bags and other packages brought into the home.
- Run a dehumidifier if you have a damp basement.
PEST PROOF THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR HOUSE
- Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
- Screen vents and openings to chimneys.
- Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home, using caulk, steel wool or a combination of both.
- Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
- Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains that provide the perfect breeding site for pests.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away and keep shrubbery trimmed and cut back from the house.
- Be sure that all windows and vents are screened.
- Repair fascia and rotted roof shingles.
- Keep mulch at least 15 inches from the foundation.
- Screen all openings. Include screens (20 mesh or finer) on doors or windows that can be opened, and on all ventilation openings.
- All outside doors should be self-closing. If not possible, a second screen door should be installed. This is particularly important for areas of scorpion or snake activity.
- Install wire mesh. Use 1\4-inch hardware cloth over the attic, roof, chimney and crawl space vents in order to prevent entry of birds, bats, squirrels and rodents.
- Reduce areas of moisture in and around your home.
- Keep lawns mowed so that grass does not retain moisture.
- Water lawns in the early morning to allow grass to dry during the day.
- Remove leaf piles and grass clippings.
- Store firewood off of the ground.
How to pest proof my house. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at ClearDefense Pest Control. We’d like to help!
Read for more about pest proofing.
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