The Importance of Winter Pest Control

Woodpiles

Many folks still use wood-burning heaters here in Pennsylvania. Even though a comfortable wood fire is a lovely feature to any house, woodpiles run the danger of becoming infested with pests.

Woodpiles will unavoidably be used by rodents and other animals to build winter nests, so keep your pile at least 20 feet away from the house. In this manner, even if they do establish residence in the woodpiles, they won’t be persuaded to enter your home if it becomes unseasonably chilly.

Walls

Many homeowners have learned clever ways to insulate their homes as a result of the development of energy-efficient home construction, saving themselves a lot of money on heating and cooling costs. Superior insulation has one downside, though. Modern walls are less impacted by the varying outside temperatures since they are so effective at blocking out the cold. They are therefore perfect residences for all kinds of pests.

The easiest approach to keep pests out of your walls is to make sure they can’t get in to begin with. That entails sealing the interior and outside of your walls. If there are any areas where the insulation is visible, you are inviting intruders.

High-Moisture Areas

While bugs, particularly cockroaches, like damp spaces, rats prefer warm environments. Cockroaches are therefore frequently seen in bathrooms and under kitchen sinks.

Check for any plumbing concerns, such as leaky pipes, clogged drains, or plumbing leaks that can be the source of the condensation. This will reduce the appeal of your property to insects that enjoy wetness.

Cracks and Holes

Fighting rodent invasions may be frustrating because of their ability to get through tight areas. Remember that even though both are considerably larger than that, a mouse can squeeze through a hole the size of a penny and a rat can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter.

As a result, you must be extremely careful to find and close any potential access points. This is especially challenging if your house is older. Seals between the house and the foundation might deteriorate with time and generate a variety of fissures. Even if it is difficult for your eyes to perceive, deteriorating mortar between bricks that has to be repointed might act as an entry point.

You should pay close attention to the locations where your home’s utilities enter. Although they are sealed, the substance utilized to do so will eventually deteriorate. A tiny rat or bug may be able to enter your home through a breach in the sealant. If you are unsure of your abilities to complete this task on your own, speak with a contractor that has dealt with similar problems or a pest control expert like our team at Procor Pest Control!

Broken Screens

When it’s warm outside, window and door screens are typically fitted so you can open your windows without allowing pests in. But even in the cold, those screens serve as a barrier of defense. This is particularly true if your windows are older.

Between the real window and the screen, there are occasionally tiny entrance points. Although these tiny cracks might not cause drafts in your house, they can let insects and other pests inside the walls. Verify that your screens are in good condition and that they fit the window frame correctly.

Under Doors

Door sweeps are essential for blocking drafts in places with chilly winters, like Pennsylvania. However, they also prevent animals from entering.

Put door sweeps at the top of your list if you don’t already have them. Even so, you might wish to examine them to make sure the rubber seal is still flexible. Door sweeps will harden with age, which may reduce their effectiveness.

Clutter In or Around Your Home

Rodents find wood heaps to be ideal nesting sites. However, clutter may create an ambiance that is comparable to a woodpile and can be just as tempting to an intruder, especially in the attic or garage. It is a good idea to put items in sealed rubber containers if you plan to store them for an extended length of time. This will ensure that a creature cannot turn your mementos into a cozy home.

Keep your crates off the ground as well. Particularly vulnerable are cardboard boxes, since mice may quickly nibble through a corner and turn your storage into a winter palace.

Food That Isn’t Stored Properly

Sugar often comes in a paper bag when you buy it. This is not the best method to keep it for an extended period of time, especially during the winter.

Dry items of that nature should be stored in well-sealed, robust containers to deter rats. The same is true of foods like cereal and rice, which can provide food for an unwelcome visitor.

Chimneys

Chimneys are appealing access areas for animals of all sizes because they radiate heat into the air. Today’s chimneys are frequently utilized for steam exhaust or other heating purposes, even if a blazing fire may make the trek into your home terrifying enough to deter animals. As a result, both rats and insects could seize the chance to create a nest in the top part of your chimney.

Fortunately, screens and other tools for insect control may be put on your chimney. To lower your risk of poor air quality, you must make sure that such deterrents don’t also restrict your chimney’s ability to ventilate. The best option is to have a specialist install such equipment.

Rooflines

Instead of insulating the roof and the attic, many homeowners choose to insulate the ceiling between the top floor and the attic. Unfortunately, this also means that the seal between the attic and the roofline is frequently ignored.

Wasps and spiders in particular are eager to escape the chilly weather. For these bugs to hibernate, a rooftop attic with access is the ideal location.

Many of these bugs find attics to be so cozy that they decide not to leave after winter is through, even though they may have first entered your home to escape the cold. Residents of a home, particularly those with young children and pets, may become in danger from wasps.