7 Steps to Winterize Your Home Against Pests
When the weather turns cold, pests start looking for a warm place to wait out winter. Your home provides the perfect shelter and source of food and water. If you don’t want these uninvited guests joining you, you need to take steps to winterize your home and prevent it from becoming a target. Follow these 7 steps to winterize your home against pests.
1. Clean out Your Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters that are full of damp leaves provide the perfect hiding spot. Be sure to clean out your gutters and downspouts to discourage pests from trying to enter your home. As an added bonus, clean gutters will protect your roof and make sure that moisture is directed away from the foundation.
2. Cut Back Trees and Shrubs
Trees and shrubs that have been allowed to grow close to the home create a bridge directly to your home, making it easy for pests to get inside. Trimming back plants around the home and can cut off this access point.
3. Move Firewood Away from the Home
You can’t prevent pests from making a home in your firewood pile, but by placing it a safe distance from your home, you can discourage pests from entering.
4. Seal all Cracks
Conduct a thorough visual inspection of your home to identify cracks along doors, windows, foundations and other areas. Seal all these cracks with a weather-resistant product to block entry to the home.
5. Move Trash Containers
If you place your trash and recycling containers right next to the house, be sure to move these further away and make sure that they are tightly sealed.
6. Install Weather Stripping
Some pests can slip through the smallest of spaces and doors and windows are especially vulnerable entry points. Weather stripping can seal off gaps and help make your home more energy efficient.
7. Inspect Attic Vents
Attic vents are another common entry point for pests. Make sure the vents are tightly sealed before winter sets in.
In just 7 steps, you can winterize your home and make sure that you aren’t inadvertently running a bed and breakfast for pests. For professional pest control advice and services, call the experts at Capital Pests.
Capital Pest is proud to be a family-owned and operated pest control company serving Raleigh, NC and its surrounding area (Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Clayton, Pinehurst, Pittsboro, Fuquay-Varina, etc). Contact us for our pest control services today!