Winterizing Your Home

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Keep Pests Out of Your Home All Winter

 

We typically associate bugs, insects, and other pests with warm weather. After all, spending a summer evening outside here in South Carolina is a surefire way to end up with a mosquito bite or twenty. While it may be true that pests are a problem in the summer, letting your guard down in the winter could welcome winter pests to make your home their new habitat.

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As the weather begins to cool down in the fall, insects and rodents start looking for a place to spend the winter. And what better spot than your warm, dry, cozy home? If you don't take the necessary steps to winterize your home, you could end up with a serious pest problem.

Fortunately, preparing your home for winter doesn't have to be a headache. Below, we'll take a look at some of the most common winter pests, as well as what you can do to prevent them from making your home their holiday destination. Remember: winterizing your home doesn't just keep out pests; it also improves the overall quality of your house, reduces energy costs, and saves you money in the long run!

Ready to learn more about how to winterize your home? Let's get started.

 

Types of Winter Pests in South Carolina

Before we go over the most important steps you can take to winterize your home, let's take a look at what sorts of pests can become a problem in the colder months.

First off, it's important to understand that insects don't just disappear in the winter. Many of them go into hibernation, and they need a warm, dry place to do it. If you're not careful, you could end up with a house full of ants, roaches, or any number of other bugs come wintertime. As we all know, insects can wreak havoc in your home: ants, fleas, and other bugs are known to bite, termites can destroy your furniture and foundation, and certain pests, like roaches, can spread dangerous diseases.

Perhaps even more problematic in the winter, though, are larger pests. These include birds, raccoons, squirrels, mice, rats, and other rodents. These critters are looking for a warm place to spend the winter, too, and they'll invade your home in a heartbeat. Aside from tearing up insulation, chewing holes through your walls, and generally giving you a major headache, these pests have the extra-fun talent of spreading disease through their fecal matter.

 

Ways to Winterize Your Home

As troublesome as winter pests can be, keeping your home pest-free is as simple as taking the proper steps for winter pest control ahead of time. Here's what you need to do to protect your home from pests.

 

1. Eliminate Yard Debris and Clutter

Head outside to remove debris and clutter from your yard. Rake up leaves, clear away branches, and ensure that your firewood is neatly stacked, covered, and placed at a good distance from your home. Piles of leaves, brush, and firewood are prime hiding spots for pests. We also recommend putting any lingering objects such as outdoor toys, pool floats, and any items that could accumulate rain in storage. The tidier your yard and the area around your home is, the less likely you'll be to encounter pest problems.

2. Seal Any Openings

Next up, inspect the outside of your home for cracks, gaps, and openings. Pay particular attention to the area around doors, windows, chimneys, and pipes. Watch out for cracks in your foundation, too. Mice and rats can squeeze through these tiny openings easily, which means that it's essential to seal them up before the weather gets cold.

3. Check Your Roof

Pick a clear day with good weather and inspect your roof. Are their tree branches lying on top of it or brushing up against it? Clear them away. Are your chimney caps intact? If not, be sure to remedy that. What about your attic vent seals -- are they in good shape? Repair them if not.

4. Reduce Moisture

We can't survive without water, and neither can winter pests. Check your bathroom for leaky faucets, and inspect your attic and basement to check for leaks and/or moisture accumulation. By keeping these areas dry, you'll reduce the risk of a pest infestation.

5. Clean Your Gutters

Gutters full of leaves and other debris are the perfect place for insects and rodents to nest and breed. Next thing you know, they'll be making their way into your home. Be sure to clean out your gutters to cut down on the pest population around your home.

6. Insulate Your Pipes

Winter pests are looking for an easy entry point into your home, including tiny gaps and cracks in pipes. By insulating your pipes, you reduce the risk of pests using them as a means of entering your dwelling. Plus, as a bonus, you'll be less likely to experience a burst pipe as a result of cold weather.

7. Tidy Up

While many of the winterizing tips above focus on your home's exterior, it's equally important to pay attention to the conditions inside, as well. Tidy up around your home before winter sets in. Give your kitchen a deep clean, including the inside of your cabinets, fridge, and other areas that might otherwise be neglected.

 

Contact Home Pest for Your Winter Pest Control

By following the above tips, you'll reduce your risk of a winter pest invasion. Of course, there's only so much you can do. Sometimes, you end up with wintertime pests despite your best efforts to winterize your home.

But don't worry. If you're suffering from a winter pest problem, we can help! Contact Home Pest Control today to learn more about our winter pest control services. And in the meantime, check out "Winter Pest Control: the Comprehensive Guide to Winterizing Your Home" for everything you need to know about preparing your home for the winter.

By following the above tips, you’ll reduce your risk of a winter pest invasion. Of course, there’s only so much you can do. Sometimes, you end up with wintertime pests despite your best efforts to winterize your home.

But don’t worry. If you’re suffering from a winter pest problem, we can help! Contact Home Pest Control today to learn more about our winter pest control services. And in the meantime, check out Winter Pest Control: the Comprehensive Guide to Winterizing Your Home, for everything you need to know about preparing your home for the winter.

Sign up now to receive our free winterizing your home guide.

November 11, 2021


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