Temperatures may be dropping, but that doesn’t mean you’re done dealing with bugs. Some pests seek shelter in homes, hoping to avoid the harsh winter weather. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to keep these pests out of your home. We’ve made a list of tips to help you prevent overwintering pests this fall.
Seal Entry Points
The best way to avoid overwintering pests is to make sure they can’t find a way into your home. Examine the exterior of your house for cracks and gaps and seal any you find. Check near doors, windows, and your home’s foundation. Repair or replace damaged window and door screens. Install door sweeps and weather stripping. Adding screens to attic vents can also help to keep pests out.
Eliminate Moisture
Moisture is a major attractant of pests. Keeping your home as dry as possible will help to prevent an infestation. Repair leaky pipes and faucets. You can use a dehumidifier or fan to help reduce moisture build-up in your house. Ensure your gutters are clean and working properly. Check your yard for areas with standing water.
Remove Food Sources
If your house or yard has food sources, bugs will be more likely to visit. Stink bugs will eat fruit, vegetables, and plants. Keep your produce in the refrigerator. Asian lady beetles will snack on damaged fruit, so remove any fallen pieces in your yard. If you have boxelder trees, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with boxelder bugs. To keep these pests away, remove any fallen seeds from the trees.
Keep Your Yard Clean
Many things in your yard can serve as hiding spots for bugs. Keep your yard free of debris including grass clippings, leaf litter, rocks, and branches. If you have firewood, store it at least twenty feet from your house. You’ll also want to trim back vegetation that’s touching the side of your house.
Change Your Light Bulbs
Many pests are attracted to light. Cluster flies and stink bugs are known to gather near light sources. At night, keep your blinds closed to avoid attracting these pests. Installing motion detector lights can help to reduce exterior lighting. You can also swap white light bulbs for warm yellow bulbs. Cooler white lights are more likely to attract pests than warm ones.
Spray Bugs Away with a Garden Hose
Overwintering pests tend to gather on the warm and sunny side of homes. If you notice Asian lady beetles, boxelder bugs, cluster flies, or stink bugs you can spray them away. The pressure from a hose should be strong enough to knock these pests down. Soapy water will also help to get rid of them.
Create a Protective Barrier
Using plant-based insecticide sprays and dusts can help to deter pests. Our Yard Bug Spray can be applied to the perimeter of your home and yard. This will not only kill pests, it will also provide you with residual repellency, helping to keep pests away. You can also spray common entry points with our Home Bug Spray. It will kill and repel common overwintering pests.
Prevention is key to avoiding a pest infestation. If you’re dealing with a bug army, we have your back! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution.