The frigid cold that’s entrapped Alberta over the past month makes it hard to imagine getting ready for spring when we’re still defrosting ourselves! But the absolute last thing you want as the temperatures rise is an influx of pests into your home or office space. Here’s what you can do to secure your house and your office against rodents and bugs alike!
Outside
Be sure to do a thorough check of the perimeter of the building and its foundation, looking for holes, cracks, fissures or any kind of entry point for a rodent or an insect. Pay extra attention to areas around electrical wires, chimney openings, vents and windows. Be sure to seal minor cracks with caulking, but for those larger holes, think anything around the size of a dime, fill with steel or copper wool. Insects may not be able to get through caulking, but a mouse sure can! We mention a dime size entry point because mice are tricky little sleuths, they can enter any hole they can squeeze their heads through. Though they will eat pretty much anything, steel or copper wool is one of the few materials they won’t chew through! After you check the outside of your home or office, do an area check as well. Pests love to hide under debris, such as leaf piles and other natural materials, newspapers, tires, woodpiles and pretty much any clutter they can find. Keep your yard free of possible hiding places and the likelihood of pests darting inside with you lessens exponentially!
Inside
It’s just as important to seal any cracks or holes on the inside of your home or office as well! Be sure to use steel or copper wool for those dime and larger issues and be sure to replace any worn or damaged weather stripping around windows and doors. Pests will always search for shelter, food and water. So while you’re eliminating the possibility of your home becoming their shelter, make sure you’re also keeping evidence of food to a minimum! This means sealing all food items stored in the pantry in airtight containers and cleaning up spills and crumbs as soon as they happen. Frequently take out the trash or compost, as those molding or rotting food items are going to smell divine to a pest.
Include pest prevention in your spring cleaning this year and enjoy the benefits of knowing you’ve done your best to protect your home and office. If you suspect that despite your valiant efforts you might have an infestation on your hands, do not hesitate to get in touch with us at 403.262.1666. We are here to help you make this year another pest-free one!
