The trees are shedding their summer colours and have turned gorgeous hues of orange, yellow, and red or lost their foliage all together. Mittens and scarves are starting to become a staple to our wardrobe and boots are replacing sneakers. It’s safe to say that fall is in full swing and with our bellies full of turkey and Halloween candy, we are favouring the indoors more now that the temperatures are dipping down into the negatives. And it’s not just us that want to curl up on the couch with tea and Netflix. The vermin, insects, and all sorts of creepy crawlies are very insistent on crashing your Netflix party, and it’s time to let them know they aren’t invited! Here are three quick and easy ways you can safeguard your home this fall season.
Closing the Gap
Mice, bugs, and other critters are very good at accessing our homes through the nooks and crannies, and the best way to prevent a possible infestation is to address any cracks, gaps, or openings! Sweep the outside of your home for crevices and cracks in the foundation, checking around any pipes, wiring, or utility lines for gaps in the insulation. The best way to plug any holes you find is by using steel or copper wool or a dense copper mesh. Don’t use caulk or glues, as critters tend to nibble right through it. Check your windows and doors for possible entry points and install new weather-stripping where needed — as an added bonus, this also saves you money on your heating bill! Pay attention to window screens and fix any tears or snags. If the whole screen needs to be replaced, make sure to purchase screen mesh that has at least 200 holes per square inch! Trim any trees or shrubs that nestle up next to your home to eliminate a natural bridge into your sanctuary. Also try to keep your yard clear of litter and debris that critters will camp out under before making a break for your front door.
Get Rid of Temptation
As much as you might hate doing dishes every day, it might be one of your best bets in combating a possible infestation. Critters and insects love the smell of left overs and if dishes or garbage is left too long, they’ll take that as an open dinner invitation and invite themselves in. Setting aside even just ten minutes a day to clean up can do wonders to deter pests from making themselves guests. Do a quick sweep of the floors, mop any and all spills, get rid of the trash if it’s overflowing or smelling particularly delectable, and wipe down all counter tops, tables, and stove tops with vinegar water. The vinegar removes the food odours and makes your kitchen less appealing to critters. Keep your foodstuffs tightly sealed, especially any grains, rice, nuts, or pet food and keep it up off the floor. A weekly vacuum will come in handy as well, especially if you find any scurrying insects like cockroaches or beetles as you can vacuum those suckers right up and avoid the icky squishing bit altogether!
Call the Experts
If pests are crashing your Netflix party, it’s a good idea to get on the phone with the Calgary pest control experts. Investing in pest control is the most efficient way to rid your home of uninvited guests and our technicians at One Man and a Ladybug know what to look for when it comes to keeping the critters out. If your own methods of prevention just aren’t working, don’t feel like you can’t call in the big guns. This is what we’re trained to do. Give us a call at 403-262-1666, and we’ll make sure the only creature binging the next great TV show is you!
