The Atlantic Hurricane season starts in June and runs through the end of November. The damage of Florence has been felt throughout the southeastern United States and preparations for more potential storms have begun. The rising water and downed trees force pests to seek out shelter, and that often means your home. Here are a few steps you can take to prevent pests from taking refuge in your home during hurricane season:
Invest in Gutter Protection
- Standing water is a mosquito’s best friend. It provides a perfect site for breeding as they only need half an inch of water to breed. Cleaning your gutters is a great step but consider installing a gutter protection system to prevent the buildup of debris and standing water.
Take Steps before the Storm Hits
- Before the weather makes landfall, look around your home for entry points where pests can enter. Seal cracks and crevices; pests only need the smallest opening to enter your home.
- Replace weather-stripping and install screens on windows to decrease the likelihood of an invasion.
After the Storm
- Once the storm passes, if your area experiences widespread power outages, you may have the unfortunate luck of dealing with spoiled food. This can attract flies, rodents, and many other pests. Store trash of this nature as far away from the home as possible to cut down on infestations.
- Looking for any structural damage from water is key as termites will be attracted to the slowly rotting wood. Look to remove and replace any damage done.
- External damage to the home presents an entrance for wildlife to enter homes for shelter. Look to repairing any of these external issues as quickly as possible.
You and your family’s safety are the number one concern. Consider scheduling a home inspector to come out and look for any other issues you should address in and around your home. Once that’s done, call your local, licensed pest control professional to perform an inspection that could help keep your family safe from pests.