Love is in the air! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and while you might not think twice about the chocolates and flowers you left on the counter, the pests in your home sure will! If you are beginning to notice pests sneaking into your home, you’re not the only one! These wintery months have pests dying to come inside for food, warmth and shelter (things your home has plenty of!)
Here are five reasons why pests are falling in love with your home this winter, and how you can protect yourself and your family from the problems they cause.
What Is It About Our Homes That Is So Desirable To Pests?
1. Food
We get it—who wants to do dishes, right? When your hectic schedule kicks in, dishes just seem to pile up out of nowhere. They sit in the sink, on the counter, sometimes even on your nightstand. However, cleaning and putting away your dirty dishes might save you the nightmare of pests getting to them first.
Pests like ants and cockroaches love to get in your leftovers. Ants are attracted to sweets, so that heart-shaped box of chocolates is looking better by the minute to them! Make sure to search your home for any leftover food pests might get into, and double-check for crumbs you may have left behind.
2. Moisture
Moisture in and outside of your house is never a good thing. Leaky faucets and clogged gutters can cause a multitude of problems, especially when it comes to pests.
Pests are not only searching for food, but also water in your home. Pests like mice will love that dripping faucet, and termites can’t get enough of that water-soaked wood! Clogged or damaged gutters could result in standing water, which looks a lot like a welcome sign to mosquitos. Always check your home periodically, to make sure you aren’t experiencing leaks or water damage. Not only do damages like this attract pests, but also they can cause serious issues in and around your home.Check these areas of your home where water damage is common.
3. Heat
Cold, winter months make us want to turn up the thermostat and bundle up in a blanket. And just like you enjoy the warmth of your home, so do the pests outside. Small holes or cracks in your foundation, doors or windows can cause warm air to draft outside, inviting pests into your home.
Pests like bats and birds might seek shelter in your attic by looking for entries like rotten wood or broken windows. Mice, rats, and other pests like cockroaches will love the warmth and darkness your basement provides. Mice only need a hole the size of a dime to sneak in, and can wreak havoc on your home once inside.Pest-proofing your home in the winter can be difficult. But, by periodically checking your doors, windows and foundation, you can secure your home against pest invasions. Pests only need a small sliver of space to wiggle their way in, so use caulk to seal small cracks in your foundation or window sills. However, other, larger holes or cracks will need a more serious repair. When in doubt, consult a specialist!
4. Clutter
Everyone has that stack of “things I will get to later” in their home. Over time, papers, newspapers, magazines and old cardboard boxes can pile up, giving pests the perfect hiding places. Cockroaches and silverfish love to snuggle up inside of your old papers or boxes, hoping they will continue to go unnoticed.
Before that stack of paper turns into a roach motel, clean out the clutter in your home and decide on the things that are worth keeping, and those that aren’t. By properly putting away your clutter, you can further protect your home from pests.
5. “Homey”
Often times, pest are accidentally carried into our homes and then decide they don’t want to leave.
During the winter months, you might find yourself bringing outdoor plants in to protect them from the cold, or pieces of firewood to burn in your fireplace. All sorts of pests can be found in your plants or wood, and you could be bringing them into your home unintentionally.
If you decide to bring your outdoor plants inside, here are some tips to make sure pests stay where they belong—outside.
- Check each leaf and stem. Some pests like to hang out under the leaf, so be sure to check both sides.
- Hose down the plant. Set the pressure on a lower setting, so you don’t tear through the leaves.
- Dunk the plant in water. As long as the plant doesn’t use dry soil (like a succulent or cactus, for example) you will be fine to submerge the plant in water for 15 minutes. Any pests remaining on the leaves should float away, but if not, add a few drops of dish soap to get them moving.
- Check the soil and remove dead leaves. Some pests like slugs or earwigs will burrow into the soil, so carefully remove the plant from the pot to check. If you notice pests in the soil, try dunking the soil in water!
- Use pesticide. If these tips aren’t getting the job done, you can try spraying your plants in pesticide to remove those annoying pests once and for all!
At the end of the day, pests always seem to find a way to get inside. Whether they’re looking for food or water, or just for a warm place to stay, it can be a full-time job trying to keep pests at bay. If you notice unwanted pests in your home, don’t wait! Schedule an appointment with us today.
