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Pest Proofing Your Home: A Comprehensive Guide
No one wants pests in their home. Not only are they unsightly, but they can also pose a serious threat to your health and the structural integrity of your home. The good news is that there are a number of things you can do to prevent pests from taking up residence in your home in the first place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to pest-proof your home so you can rest easy knowing that both you and your house are safe from harm. Seal Cracks and Gaps One of the most effective ways to keep pests out of your home is to make it as difficult as possible for them to get inside in the first place. Take a walk around your home and look for any cracks or gaps in the foundation, windows, and doors. These are all potential entry points for pests, so it’s important to seal them up with caulk or weatherstripping. Not only will this help keep pests out, but it will also improve the energy efficiency of your home. Also, read about Autumn’s Unwanted Guests Pest Pest-proof your Porch and decks These areas can be great harborage areas for insects, rodents and wildlife. Make sure that you try to limit access to rodents and wildlife. Keep the decking clean of leaf litter, and sweep those leaves away. Window Pest Proofing Make this step an annual event, take a step back and inspect for damaged screening and any gaps and openings that need to be addressed. These are ideal entry points for mosquitoes, ladybugs and stink bugs that overwinter. Related Article: How to Keep Boxelder Bugs Out of Your Home This Winter Must Read:AUTUMN’S UNWANTED GUESTS: THE ASIAN LADY BEETLE Keep Your Home Clean Another way to deter pests is to keep your house clean. Many pests, such as cockroaches, are attracted to food sources, so it’s important to keep your counters and floors free of crumbs and spills. Put away food in airtight containers, and take out the trash regularly. You should also sweep and mop regularly to remove any food sources that might be attracting pests. Keep your floors clean and vacuum often. If you think you have fleas, vacuuming will not eliminate them, you will need to call in the big guns, your local pest experts. Eliminate Moisture Sources Moisture is another attracting factor for many types of pests, so it’s important to eliminate any sources of moisture in your home. Repair leaks in plumbing fixtures and appliances, and make sure that drains are clear so they don’t overflow. In addition, use a dehumidifier in areas of your home that tend to be moist, such as the basement or laundry room. By eliminating moisture sources, you can make your home less attractive to pests. Pest-proof Your Roof Check for gaps or holes in facia boards, soffits, roofline, roof pitches, gables and roof vents. Remember that rats can enter a home through an opening as small as a quarter. Larger openings can allow squirrels, and even raccoons to take up residency. Think you have a problem, call your local pest professionals, to come out and inspect and offer you an exclusion plan. Check Your Doors Even the smallest gap on the side or underneath of your door can allow insects, and even snakes to enter. Make sure your door sweeps and thresholds at the base of exterior doors are in good condition. Trash and Recycling Bins Don’t let your trash and recycling pile up, keep them covered and sealed. Regularly clean all trash receptacles to prevent insect invasions. Pest Proof Down Low Make sure to check areas at the base of the home home, look for large weep holes, seal up electrical line openings as well as plumbing penetration and A/C lines. Inspect for mortar cracks and repair accordingly. Conclusion: Pests are more than just a nuisance; they can also pose a serious threat to your health and the structural integrity of your home. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to prevent pests from taking up residence in your house. By sealing cracks and gaps, keeping your home clean, and eliminating moisture sources, you can make your house much less attractive to pests—and much safer for yourself and your family. If you are wanting to keep unwanted pests from entering your home, talk with your local pest experts. We can help you to identify the pest, locate the likely points of entry and eliminate the potential from invasion.
Autumn’s Unwanted Guests: The Asian Lady Beetle
If you live in the United States, you may have noticed some little red and black bugs crawling around your house as autumn approaches. These are called Asian lady beetles, and while they’re not harmful to humans, they can be quite a nuisance. Here’s everything you need to know about these pests—and how to get rid of them. Where Do Asian Lady Beetles Come From? As their name suggests, Asian lady beetles are not native to the United States. They were first introduced into California in 1916 in an effort to control aphids and other crop-destroying pests. However, the beetles quickly adapted and spread to other parts of the country, where they have become a major nuisance in homes and businesses. What Do Asian Lady Beetles Look Like? Asian lady beetles are small—usually around 1/4 of an inch long—and oval-shaped. They have six legs, two antennae, and wings that they can use to fly. Most importantly, they have a distinctive red or orange “M”-shaped marking on their heads. Some lady beetles also have spots on their wing covers, but not all do. Are Asian Lady Beetles Harmful? Luckily, Asian lady beetles are not harmful to humans or animals. However, they can be a real pain if they decide to make your home their winter abode. Once inside, they can emit a foul odor and cause allergies in some people. In large numbers, they can also stain walls and furniture with their yellowish secretion. Must Read Are Hornets A Type Of Wasps In the autumn months the adult beetles will leave their summer sites in yards, fields and forests to head into protected areas for the winter. It is not uncommon to have swarms of ladybugs during the October, November months in Texas. They will seek out cracks and crevices to inter and congregate in the attics, wall cavities and other protected interior areas of the home or business. Once temperatures start to warm up they will become active again in early spring, then the beetle will try to escape the structure to the outdoors, in some cases inadvertently wandering into the interior. They are attracted to light and will be found around light fixtures and windows. Recommended Read: 4 Things to Prevent Fall Pests How Can I Get Rid Of Them? The best way to get rid of Asian lady beetles is to prevent them from entering your home in the first place. To do this, caulk up any cracks or crevices around doors and windows where they might be able to sneak in. You should also make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. If you already have lady beetles in your home, vacuuming them up is usually the most effective way to get rid of them. Just be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag immediately so that the lady beetles don’t escape and come back again. You can also try using a solution of soap and water to attract and trap them. Do not try to swat them as they will leave a stain, better to simply vacuum them up. Finally, if you want a more permanent solution, you can always call an exterminator. We can offer prevention solutions for the Asian lady beetle invasion. Conclusion: As temperatures start to cool down in autumn, you may notice some unwanted guests making their way into your home: Asian lady beetles. These little critters are not harmful to humans or animals, but they can be quite a nuisance if they decide to take up residence in your house, Call FullScope Pest Control if you want to prevent these pests from coming inside or get rid of them if they’ve already made themselves at home.