How to pest proof my house. Now that flowers have started blooming and temperatures have risen, insects often march indoors in search of a consistent food and water supply. Taking time to pest proof your home is an important task to keep those nasty creepy-crawlers out of your house. If done correctly, pest proofing your home actually creates a long-term savings in pest management costs and hassle.
Doing you best to pest proof your house by following the tips provided below will help you manage those awful, unwanted pests. A side benefit of taking time to pest proof your house could be an improvement in its energy efficiency, resulting in a welcome reduction in utility bills.
We recommend implementing these tips to pest proof your house:
PEST PROOF THE INTERIOR OF YOUR HOUSE
- Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around basement foundation and windows.
- Ensure downspouts and gutters are functioning properly so that water flows away from your home’s foundation.
- Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed away from your home. Cut back limbs overhanging the roof.
- Clean up fruit that falls from trees in the yard.
- Keep garbage in tightly covered receptacles.
- Dispose of garbage on a regular basis.
- Wipe down counter tops and sweep floors regularly to remove crumbs and residue from spills.
- Store food in sealed containers and keep ripe fruit in the refrigerator.
- Routinely check under sinks for areas of moisture and repair any leaky pipes.
- Keep pet bowls clean and wipe up any spilled food or water around them promptly.
- Avoid leaving pet food out in dishes for long periods of time.
- Store dry pet food in a sealed plastic container rather than the paper bags they often come in.
- Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
- Inspect items such as boxes, grocery bags and other packages brought into the home.
- Run a dehumidifier if you have a damp basement.
PEST PROOF THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR HOUSE
- Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
- Screen vents and openings to chimneys.
- Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home, using caulk, steel wool or a combination of both.
- Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
- Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains that provide the perfect breeding site for pests.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away and keep shrubbery trimmed and cut back from the house.
- Be sure that all windows and vents are screened.
- Repair fascia and rotted roof shingles.
- Keep mulch at least 15 inches from the foundation.
- Screen all openings. Include screens (20 mesh or finer) on doors or windows that can be opened, and on all ventilation openings.
- All outside doors should be self-closing. If not possible, a second screen door should be installed. This is particularly important for areas of scorpion or snake activity.
- Install wire mesh. Use 1\4-inch hardware cloth over the attic, roof, chimney and crawl space vents in order to prevent entry of birds, bats, squirrels and rodents.
- Reduce areas of moisture in and around your home.
- Keep lawns mowed so that grass does not retain moisture.
- Water lawns in the early morning to allow grass to dry during the day.
- Remove leaf piles and grass clippings.
- Store firewood off of the ground.
How to pest proof my house. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at Scatter. We’d like to help!
