It’s the first days of Fall in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. This means it’s time to prepare your home for the changing of seasons. While there are some obvious measures you’ll need to take, such as raking leaves, there are lesser-known things you can do right now to manage how much access outdoor pests have to your home. Use these tips to keep your home exterior protected from pests.
It’s a common misconception that mosquitoes die off when temperatures drop. It’s just as important that you monitor your property for free-standing water. Stagnant water in pools and birdbaths are where mosquitoes prepare to hunker down for the winter months. Somewhere near water. Some will ride the winter out as an egg and others will remain an adult and find a hollow space or animal burrow to keep from freezing. Fallen leaves will retain moisture when stuck together, which makes them prime real estate for pests. Ticks will lie in wait in leaf piles in hopes of catching a ride and meal.
Mice are after food and shelter from cooling temperatures. They’ll find their way into your home via small gaps in the foundation, hatchways, and utility access—openings as small as a dime! Take steps now to caulk cracks in your home’s foundation, broken window screens, and ill-fit doorways. This will also have the added benefit of reducing moisture inside your home which is a necessity for Fall intruders like cockroaches and spiders. The best way to stop an infestation is to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Detached garages and sheds provide pests many of the same benefits of infiltrating your home. While outdoor structures don’t have pantries (keep that birdseed in a sturdy container!), they are left undisturbed by homeowners for lengths of time. Because garages and sheds are frequented by many lesser pests, it does draw a certain kind of pests: spiders. Spiders range from harmless to poisonous but either way they will “set up shop” in a garage to catch insects hoping to seek refuge in and warmer structure.
Know your limits. The team at Graduate Pest Solutions knows how to protect your property for seasons. Call us at 413-566-8222 or contact us with any questions or if you are experiencing a pest problem. We have the knowledge and the services necessary to help keep your home pest-free!