Keep Pests Outdoors Where They Belong This Winter

As temperatures across the country drop and the holiday season approaches take steps to prevent pests from dropping by uninvited. Rodents and cockroaches, the most common winter pests, love nothing more than to spend the chilly winter inside a cozy home, bringing with them health and property threats.

Most people associate cooler weather with relief from flying pests such as mosquitoes and wasps, but the winter brings on a different set of pest problems that are just as serious. Ants are most likely to cause problems in Sevierville this time of year, so it is important for homeowners to prevent these pests from entering their homes.”

Aside from being nuisances, rodents and cockroaches are vectors of a wide array of diseases and can exacerbate asthma and allergy symptoms – effects only worsened by the increased time spent indoors during the winter. Rodents can also chew through drywall, insulation, wood and electrical wiring, increasing the potential risk for fires.

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) offers the following tips for keeping pests outdoors this winter:

• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of your home to help prevent pests from getting inside.
• Be sure to check the areas where utilities and pipes enter the home. A mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime.
• Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet from the home. Pests often take up residence in wood piles and can easily gain access to your home if the pile is nearby.
• Rodents can hide in clutter, so keep storage areas well organized, and store boxes off of the floor.
• Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains. Extra attention should be paid to kitchens and bathrooms as these areas are particularly vulnerable to cockroach infestations.
• Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens in windows.
• Screen vents to chimneys. Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.

It is prudent over the winter months to remain vigilant for any signs of pest infestations and to regularly inspect for any possible points of entry throughout the home. If you suspect a growing problem feel free to contact us for a free inspection.