Be proactive, not reactive – this philosophy rings true when it comes to protecting your home from pests this season.
Fall is the best time to start making your house appear to pests as a fortress, not a welcoming motel. With winter on the horizon, pests such as rodents, cockroaches and spiders, will be looking for a nice, cozy place to use as shelter during the colder months.
Not only do these pests present infestation problems, but more importantly, pose a risk to your health. The following features three of the most common fall season intruders and tips on how to seal off your home to them.
The House Mouse
Rodents present two problems to a household. First, they’re walking bacteria threats, acting as a host to fleas and mites that could possess diseases such as salmonella. Secondly, they can cause electrical fires from chewing through wires.
There are also some unconventional techniques. For example, play on a mice’s eternal enemy. If you have a cat (or have a neighbor who does) place a bucket of used kitty litter around the entrance of your home. They’ll smell it and will move on in search of a more cat-free environment.
Peppermint oil is also another good mice deterrent. Grow a few peppermint plants next to entryways or pick some up from the grocery store. Place a small amount on cotton balls and strategically place them in areas where mice are most likely to sneak their way in. Keep in mind that house mice can squeeze themselves through dime-sized holes!
The Oriental Cockroach
Also called “the water bug”; these little guys are an inch in length and travel indoors for shelter during the cooler months. Like the house mouse, the oriental cockroach is also known to carry bacteria.
Caulk and repair holes around the exterior of your home as well as place screens on all of your windows, vents and floor drains. Remember to keep your windows and doors shut tightly at all times.
Black Widow Spider
The first step in protecting yourself and your family from this intruder is being able to identify it. They have a red hourglass mark on their abdomen that is easy to see by contrast with the rest of their body, which is black or dark brown.
These spiders are nocturnal, so check around your home during the night. Popular places they tend to hide out in are garages, rarely-worn shoes, and rubble piles. Wear gloves, shoes, and protective clothing when inspecting all areas as a bite from these creatures can be very dangerous, sometimes causing symptoms such as abdominal pains and excessive sweating.
To prevent them from entering your home, make sure to seal all exterior openings and install screens and door sweeps.
Take action now during the fall months to prevent an even worse headache down the line in winter months.
Information provided by:
Truly Nolen
Scott Svenheim, an expert for Truly Nolen of America, has 25 years of experience in the pest control industry. Scott brings an informative as well as unique and entertaining perspective to consumers’ pest problems in the 21st century. Founded in 1938, Tucson, Arizona-based Truly Nolen of America is one of the largest family-owned pest control companies in the United States. Truly Nolen has over 80 branch offices in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. The company also has independently owned and operated franchises in an ever-growing number of territories including California, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Massachusetts and Utah as well as Puerto Rico. For more information or to ask your local expert a question about insects and insect prevention, please visit www.trulynolen.com or call 915-591-9864.
