As fall fades away, families spend more time indoors talking, playing games and gathering around the fireplace. However, they aren’t the only ones who want to seek shelter from the cold; many pests, like mice and roaches, are also interested in staying warm and comfortable. Naturally, you don’t want anything in your home that doesn’t belong there. The following tips will help you reclaim your living space from these little intruders.
Use Plastic, Not Paper
It is important to store your pantry food in a container that pests can’t gain access to. The paper boxes you purchased the food in, therefore, are not going to work. Instead, place your food in a plastic container. Rodents will be hard pressed to chew through them, and they have the added bonus of keeping your food much fresher over time. Remember, one of the reasons that pests are entering your home is because they want easy access to food. If you take away that access, they will have to go elsewhere in order to survive.
Clean Regularly
If nothing else, pick up your home each evening so the floor space is clean. Anything you leave laying around is a haven for pests; they can hide in it and will consequently feel comfortable putting down roots in your house. Completing a quick pick up will make your living space look better and should also discourage pests from making your house their home.
Seal Up Holes
Walk around the perimeter of your house, and take the time to closely examine the walls. If you see a hole or a crack, make sure to close it up. Even larger pests, like mice or rats, can squeeze into very small spaces, so it is important that you don’t neglect to fix any openings that you find. A bit of caulk should solve most problems, but if you have a particularly large hole, you may need to bring in a handyman to take a look at the situation.
Check Your Screens
If you have mesh screens covering your doors and windows, periodically check them for any holes or tears. Much like a crack in your foundation, a hole in your screen will allow all different types of pests to get into your home. These screens are useful, though, for allowing fresh air to flow into your space, so you shouldn’t discontinue their use altogether. Simply be vigilant about maintaining them properly.
While many people think of summer as being the prime season for pest problems, the truth is, winter can be quite difficult as well. If you are struggling to control the pest population in your home, try the four tips above. With enough time and effort, you should be able to get rid of pests once and for all.
Morgan is a proud mother who enjoys spending her days discovering fun and interesting things to do with her young son. At night, she is an avid writer and solves all her pest problems with the help of a Jersey City Pest Control company.
