Texas is known for its beautiful weather year round, but it does become quite cool in the fall and winter months. As the temperature drops, bugs and critters need a warm place to stay and so, they look to enter people’s homes. These bugs are not only annoying, but they can also cause serious damage. Termites alone cause approximately $22 billion in structural damages every year. To keep bugs from entering your home this season, follow the tips below.
Inspect and Repair Screens
Inspect your screens regularly to ensure they fit tightly and do not have any tears or holes. If you do find a hole, fix it as soon as possible. A quick fix for screens is to use a piece of a cotton ball and fit it into the hole. To insects, these look like spider webs and so, they act as a deterrent. Using a cotton ball is really only a temporary solution so while it will work for a short time, any torn screen should be properly repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Inspect Doors
While you are inspecting your screens, also take a close look at your doors. If you can see daylight, it means there is an entry point for bugs. It also means that you are likely using and wasting more energy than necessary. Fit your doors with sweeps along the bottom and tight-fitting thresholds to block off those access points and prevent bugs from coming inside.
Inspect the Exterior of the Home
Worn weather stripping, cracks and crevices in crawl spaces and foundations, and holes in fascia boards and eaves are all very inviting to bugs. Use weather-proofing material, such as concrete, caulk, and small-gauge screens to fix these areas outside the home and keep bugs from entering.
Examine Items Before Bringing Them In
As the weather starts to become cooler, you may want to bring some of your outdoor items inside. When doing this, you should carefully examine anything you want to bring in, as some items may provide shelter for bugs. If you see many bugs, do not use pesticides, as they are sometimes harmful to your health. Instead, just hose them off with water and that should be enough to relocate the critters.
Prune Plants Regularly
Pests will use plants that touch structures as a bridge to your home. This is particularly true when strong plants, such as tree branches, hang off the gutters or roof of a home. Insects will use these to get into the home, and wildlife such as squirrels, raccoons, and mice will, as well. Regularly inspect your outdoor plants to ensure that perennials and shrubs are not touching your porch, garage, or any other part of your house. If you find any that do make contact with your home, cut and prune them to ensure they no longer touch. Remember that they will grow back as well, so inspect them regularly and prune when necessary.
Seal Utility Lines
Insects will also use utility lines and their wiring to enter your home. To prevent them from doing so, it is important to regularly check your utility lines and use caulk to seal them. This is particularly important if you are finding pests on the second floor of your home. Also remember that this sealing can break down and become damaged over time, so you must inspect these areas regularly to ensure the sealing is intact.
Check for Standing Water
Mosquitoes need water to breed, but they do not need a lot of it. Even a small puddle of water is enough to breed thousands of mosquitos. To prevent your yard from becoming infested, and to stop mosquitoes from entering your home, regularly check your lawn and around the home for items that contain standing water. Dump out any standing water you find and keep items overturned so they do not fill up again.
Examine Vents in the Attic
While attic vents are not something most homeowners think about when they are taking on pest prevention, it is important to check them regularly. Make sure the screens on the vents fit tightly and that they are secure. Also clear your gutters and roof of leaves and any other organic debris that may provide shelter for mice and other small critters.
Call a Pest Control Company in Texas
An Austin pest control company can help when you are dealing with a bug problem, and beforehand, as well. If you want to learn more about keeping pests outside of the home, our experts at Stride Pest Control are here to help. Call us today at (512) 777-1339 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.