Everyone has a different preference for the temperature of their home. Some people like their homes hot, others prefer to keep theirs cool, most find a balance somewhere in between. Regardless of the temperature, we have some bad news for you. As long as your home is warmer than the weather outside during fall, pests will want to get inside. To stop pests from invading your home, use this complete guide to pest prevention.
Why Pests Love Warm Homes
Very few pests are capable of surviving outdoors in cold conditions. Most require temperatures of over 50 degrees to live comfortably. If temperatures outside drop below 50 degrees during the fall, pests in large numbers will look for ways to get into homes. Often, insects, rodents, and arthropods are drawn inside by warm air leaking from a home’s exterior. If your home is not correctly sealed, it will have a much more likely chance of being invaded as we head towards winter.
Common House Fall Pests
Every pest has its season, and most pests die off when fall hits. That is unless they can find shelter inside a warm home. Here are some of the most common fall pest invaders, and what you need to know about each.
- Rodents: Rodents are hairy mammals with long tails and sharp teeth. Common rodents around Elk Grove are rats, mice, and squirrels. Capable of spreading disease, and known for chewing holes where they shouldn’t, rodents are some of the worst pests you can have inside your home.
- Ants: Several species of ants live here in Elk Grove. Most ants are harmless. Ants such as Pharaoh ants can spread dangerous diseases such as salmonellosis. There are one species of ants called carpenter ants that tunnel their nests into the structural wood of homes, possibly causing severe damage over time.
- Stink Bugs: Stink bugs are primarily agricultural pests but will invade homes to find warmth in the fall. The biggest problems stink bugs pose is with the annoyances they cause and the pungent smell they emit when threatened or squished.
- Cockroaches: Cockroaches are some of the most dangerous pests that are capable of spreading 33 different bacteria, 7 harmful human pathogens, and 6 parasitic pests.
- Spiders: Thousands of species of spiders exist around the world, but only a few are known to invade homes here in Elk Grove. Most are harmless, and only a couple such as black widows and brown recluses have venom strong enough to pose any real threat to humans.
- Stinging Insects: Stinging insects typically build their nests outside homes, but often overwinter indoors to avoid the cold. When indoors, these pests threaten homeowners with their painful stings. Common stinging insects around Elk Grove include bees and wasps.
How To Prevent Fall Pests
Because of the large number of pests that invade homes in the fall, extensive prevention is required to keep them all out. Here are some of the best exclusion tips our team has to offer.
- Keep your yard and landscaping well-maintained and free of clutter.
- Trim back tree branches and bushes at least five feet from your home’s exterior.
- Pick up fruit that has fallen in your yard.
- Address moisture issues in and around your home.
- Fill in gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior using a caulking gun.
- Repair or replace window/door screens, door sweeps, and weather stripping around your home.
- Clean inside your home regularly, and try to limit the number of rooms in which you eat food to just a couple.
- Keep exterior lights turned off after dark or invest in light bulbs that are insect resistant.
- Store leftover food inside airtight containers.
For a less complicated solution to fall pests, trust the professionals at Pro Active Pest Control. We will treat your home and property with long-lasting solutions designed to keep all forms of fall pests away.
Give us a call today to schedule an inspection for your Elk Grove home.