The fall season brings many fun things, but it can also lead to bugs in your home. These pests head indoors, planning on sticking around until temperatures rise in spring. Thankfully, there are things you can do in your home and yard to help prevent and control fall pests. We’ve made a list of tips to help keep your home free of pests this fall.
Seal Entry Points
To keep pests out of your home, you need to seal their entry points. Bugs are small and can easily slip through tiny cracks and gaps, so you’ll want to thoroughly examine your house. Check for holes or cracks in your foundation, near doors and windows, and in frames. Patch holes in window and door screens or replace the screens if they can’t be fixed. Consider adding screens to your chimney or attic vents. Replace any loose weather stripping and add door sweeps.
Keep Outdoor Structures Clean
Outdoor structures, like sheds and detached garages, can be a hangout spot for fall pests. It’s important to keep these areas clean to help remove potential attractants. Remove debris, such as leaves, from these spaces. Check for and remove any spider webs to discourage spiders from returning to the space. Keep the space organized and free of clutter to reduce potential hiding spots. If you currently store items in cardboard boxes, consider switching to plastic bins with lids to keep pests from getting into them.
Clean Up Your Yard
Your yard has many attractants that can draw pests to it. You’ll want to keep your outdoor space clean to help prevent pest problems. Rake leaves and remove other yard debris that can act as shelter for bugs. Keep your bushes, lawn, and trees trimmed to reduce harboring spots. Store woodpiles away from your house and off the ground. Check for pests before taking any pieces of wood into your home. Make sure your compost bins are sealed as well.
Minimize Moisture
Moisture in your yard or home can draw pests to your space. Minimizing moisture build-up can help to deter bugs from sticking around. Repair leaking spigots and check for items that are collecting water. When gutters get clogged with debris, it can cause them to retain moisture, so you’ll want to keep your gutters clean. Indoors, you’ll want to repair leaky pipes and faucets. Wipe up excess moisture around sinks, bathtubs, and showers.
Remove Food Sources
Bugs are more likely to settle down in your home if they can find something to eat. Sweep up crumbs, and wipe down counters to remove sticky residues. Store your pantry items in sealed containers or jars to avoid attracting bugs. It’s best to store produce in the refrigerator instead of leaving it on the counter. You’ll also want to keep your furry family member’s food in a sealed container and regularly clean their bowls. Take your trash out often and keep the area clean and free of food residue.
Be on the Lookout for Pests
The earlier you identify a pest problem, the easier it will be to eliminate an infestation. Be on the lookout for pests or signs of their presence. Overwintering pests typically congregate on the side of homes in fall. If you notice them, spray them with your garden hose to knock them off. Examine the exterior and interior of your home for spider webs or stinging insect nests. You may find droppings or egg casings if cockroaches are hiding in your home. Taking the time to check for these things can help you avoid a serious infestation.
Use Pest Control Products
If pests have moved into your space, pest control products can help get them to leave. Check out how to treat your home and yard to prevent and control fall pest problems.
- Treat Your Yard: Our Yard Bug Spray can be used to treat your yard. Not only does it kill pests, it also has repellent properties. Spraying the perimeter of your yard and home can help to keep pests away. The residual repellency protection creates a protective barrier that will help to deter bugs.
- Treat Your Home: Our Home Bug Spray is great for spot-treating pests. You can also spray near entry points to help discourage pests from entering your house. Insecticide dusts can also help to control pests. Dusts provide long-lasting protection and can be applied to cracks and crevices where bugs like to hide.
- Use a Bait: If you’re dealing with cockroaches, using a bait, like our Roach Killer Gel Bait, can help. Baits are effective because they target the source of the infestation. When cockroaches eat the bait and return to the nest, they expose other cockroaches to the bait. This causes a domino effect, helping to get rid of the infestation.
- Treat Your Drains: Drain flies can be problematic year-round. If these pests show up, you can treat your drains with our Drain & Fruit Fly Killer. It kills drain flies at the source and will also help to deodorize and refresh smelly drains.
You don’t want your fall season ruined by uninvited guests. Bug-proofing your indoor and outdoor space can help to keep fall pests away. If you’re dealing with a bug problem, we want to help! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.