Fall Pest Control Tips for Central Illinois

As the colder weather starts to set in, insects and pests from outside are going to try to find warmer spaces where they can stay comfortable. This means they’re going to look for paths to get into your home. Once you have a pest problem in your home, it can be hard to get rid of, so your best bet is to make sure you’re emphasizing prevention.

Here are some pest control tips for central Illinois that you can put into practice this fall to make sure you’re able to keep pests out of your home all winter long:

• Place screens over openings: Make sure you have screens over all openings to your home, not just your windows. This includes attic vents, chimneys, mail slots, dog doors and anything else that opens up to the outside. This will prevent pests from entering.
• Keep everything dry: Pests are attracted to dark, moist places like basements, crawl spaces and attics. If you’re able to keep them dry and well ventilated, this will go a long way toward preventing pest problems in your home. Run fans, use dehumidifiers and take whatever steps you need to take to make sure you don’t have issues with moisture seeping into these spaces.
• Keep food away: This is especially an issue in kitchens and dining rooms. Make sure you clean up spills as soon as they happen, and that you keep all food stored in airtight containers. Dispose of garbage frequently, and make sure the receptacles are sealed up. Buildups of food, garbage and crumbs will certainly attract pests of all kinds into your home.
• Make your home airtight: Replace worn-out weather stripping, seal up cracks and holes and improve your insulation. Not only will this help you to keep your home warm during the winter, but it will also eliminate more pathways where pests could potentially get in.
• Ensure proper drainage: In your outdoor spaces, make sure you have a proper drainage system in place to help keep water and moisture away from your home and foundation. Keep the earth graded away from your home, and strategically run gutters and downspouts so that the water flows away from your structures.
• Watch your pet food: Just as you should avoid leaving human food out for long periods of time, you should also avoid leaving pet food sitting out. If your dogs or cats don’t immediately eat their food when you feed them, don’t just let it sit out all day—pests don’t care whether the food is for animals or for humans. They’ll be happy to go after it either way.
• Store firewood properly: Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home, as it attracts pests. It is a good idea to keep it covered with a tarp to prevent exposure to rain and snow that could result in rot and more pests taking an interest in it.

For more information about additional pest control tips in central Illinois to keep in mind this fall, contact Crist Termite and Pest Solutions, Inc. today.

Categorised in: Preventative Pest Control