With temperatures cooling down, and fall being just around the corner, pests are getting ready to make their way into your home. Here is how to prepare and avoid them becoming a real problem.
Stink Bugs
When the weather becomes cooler, stink bugs tend to gather on the outer walls of houses and look for a crack or a hole to get in for some warmth. Stink bugs can be green or brown, are quite big in size, and release a foul smell when swatted. This is mostly why we do not want them in our homes! They will stay hidden in a warm place for the whole summer and come back out during spring time. However, now is the time to protect your house.
Check the walls and windows for any small cracks and gaps the stink bugs could use to get in. Ventilation spots should also be checked and repaired, if necessary. If a stink bug colony is already present inside your home, it is best to call a pest control management professional for removal.
Rodents
In the fall, mice and rats are the most likely rodents to make their way inside, where plenty of food is available to them. They will cause problems by chewing on wires, damaging insulation, reproducing quickly and, most importantly, carrying diseases dangerous for you, your family and your pets.
Take advantage of the last days of summer to repair any holes in the walls they could use to enter the house. Check for any gaps or leaks in your ventilation system and chimneys. If you have pipe and tubes going directly into your house, install some metal rodent protection to prevent rats and mice to use them as an entry way. Do not forget to clean up your garden and eliminate all piles of leaves and clutter, as they are the perfect place for rodents to settle before they get inside.
Box Elder Bugs
Box elder bugs, also called maple bugs, hibernate during the cold season. At the beginning of the fall, they will be looking for a warm place to spend the winter. They prefer to be inside the house or on the outer walls, where the warmth can still be felt. Though the only concern to have about them is the stains they leave behind, it is still unpleasant to have them as housemates.
Chemical pest control and the removal of female box elder trees, where they breed, are the most effective ways to prevent them from staying in your house.
These are just a few tips you can implement to keep your house safe from pests this fall. If you need more advice or your situation requires professional assistance, contact us for information.