Fall Pest Prevention

As summer winds down and the weather grows cooler, many New Englanders begin turning off the AC, breaking out their flannel ware and filling up on nice warm pumpkin spice coffees. But as we seek warm creature comforts while enjoying the fall foliage, sneaky little pests also begin to seek comfort…. In our homes! Mice, cockroaches, spiders oh my!

In addition to the eek factor of having such pests in your home, these infuriating little nuisances  also bring with them a host of troubles. Mice can chew through walls, scatter excrement and gnaw on electric cables, causing fire hazards. Cockroaches can spread allergens and cause problems for family members with asthma and allergy issues, especially children. Spiders, aside from brown recluse and black widow spiders, are usually harmless. But no one wants to relax on the couch only to be joined by an 8 eyed, 8 legged roommate! Yuck!

So here are some terrific tips from the National Pest Management Association to help your home remain pest free this fall:

• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens
• Screen vents and openings to chimneys
• Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the structure
• Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles
• Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows
• Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes, clogged drains and clear leaves from gutters
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and brush it off before bringing it indoors
• After pulling decorations from storage, unpack them outdoors to check for signs of pests. Look inside boxes for droppings, gnaw marks or live bugs. Examine string lights to ensure wiring is fully intact.
• If you suspect a pest infestation in your home, contact a licensed pest control professional to properly inspect, identify and treat the problem.