Keeping Pests out of Your Home this Fall

Today marks the first day of fall.  Just because most pests don’t tend to build nests in the fall doesn’t mean that they aren’t still present.  While it is common for a number of pests to seek shelter in the fall and even winter in areas such as Georgia, Tennessee, and other areas in the Southeast, you may still be seeing activity around your home.  There are a number of things that can be done to keep your home free of pests throughout the fall and winter seasons.

• Make sure outdoor lights are not located directly above a door.  Insects are drawn to that area and will wait there for an opportune time to come into your home.
• Make sure all screens fit securely and any gaps around the structure, larger than a pencil, are filled or sealed.
• Keep doors closed when not going in or out.
• Reduce clutter at entrance areas or next to openings.
• Trim all vegetation around the structure to at least 18″ away from the building.
• Make sure any compost such as leaf piles and bags of leaves are located away from the structure.
• Treatments to the exterior of your home, such as your final mosquito control treatment for the season, can help tremendously.
• Vacuum inside the home often for pest prevention and to remove any pest that may have gotten inside the home.