When winter rolls around, pests begin looking for a warm place to hide. Unfortunately, some bugs will choose your home as their winter vacation spot. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to keep your home free of these uninvited guests. Check out a few tips to help you get rid of pests this winter.
Seal Cracks & Gaps
To keep pests away, you need to make sure they can’t find a way into your home. Bugs are tiny and can slip through small cracks, gaps, and holes. You’ll want to thoroughly examine the exterior of your house for places where these pests can sneak inside.
- Check for and seal cracks near doors, windows, and the foundation of your home.
- Seal any gaps or holes where cable wires and pipes enter your house.
- Install door sweeps and weather stripping to seal gaps.
- Repair or replace torn window and door screens.
- Fix any damaged shingles or holes on the roof.
Keep Your Home Clean
A bit of winter cleaning can help to keep bugs out of your house. Cleaning will help to remove potential attractants that could lure pests to your space.
- Clean up any crumbs and spills.
- Wipe down counters to remove greasy or sticky residues.
- Store your pantry items in jars with tight-fitting lids.
- Remove trash regularly.
- Sweep and mop to help minimize food sources.
- Dust and remove any spider webs you find.
- Vacuum to help remove bugs and their eggs.
Get Organized
Clutter can provide winter pests with hiding spots. To help keep bugs away, you’ll want to take some time to organize your home. Pay attention to areas where overwintering pests like to hide including attics and basements.
- Pick up your clothes and other items left on the floor.
- Don’t overstuff your shelves.
- Donate items that you don’t need anymore.
- Store your things in plastic bins with lids instead of cardboard boxes.
- Place storage bins on shelves instead of on the floor.
Minimize Moisture
When pests, like cockroaches, enter homes, they often look for a source of water. Minimizing moisture build-up in your house can help to get rid of these pests.
- Check for and repair leaking pipes and dripping faucets.
- Make sure your drains aren’t clogged and are working properly.
- In areas prone to dampness, consider using a dehumidifier or fan to keep things dry.
- Make sure bathroom fans are working to help reduce excess moisture.
Take Care of Your Fireplace
Cozying up next to the fireplace is great in winter. However, you’ll need to make sure that bugs aren’t using your fireplace as a means of entering your home.
- Having your fireplace cleaned and inspected can help you catch any cracks or holes pests could use to sneak inside your house.
- Consider having a screen or cover installed to help prevent pests from slipping inside.
- Be careful bringing firewood into your home. Firewood can be a hiding spot for spiders and other pests.
- Don’t store your firewood in your home. Instead, store woodpiles outdoors in a spot at least 20 feet away from your house.
Keep Your Outdoor Space Clean
If bugs are hanging out in your yard, then they aren’t far away from your home. Making your outdoor space unwelcoming to pests can help to keep your home free of bugs.
- Remove yard debris like leaves, grass clippings, twigs, and rocks.
- Make sure your gutters are clean and working correctly.
- Keep your plants, bushes, and tree branches trimmed so they aren’t touching the side of your home. Pests can use vegetation as a bridge to reach your house.
- Remove any trash, and place it in an outdoor bin with a secure lid.
Spray Bugs Away
Overwintering pests, like Asian lady beetles, stink bugs, cluster flies, and boxelder bugs, gather on the sunny side of homes before heading indoors. If you notice these pests on your house, you can use your garden hose to remove them. The pressure from the water will be strong enough to help dislodge the pests. This won’t actually kill them, but it will help to discourage them from gathering. Knocking these pests into a bucket with soapy water can help to kill them.
Use Pest Control Products
In addition to sealing entry points and removing attractants, pest control products can help to keep pests away from your home. Insecticide sprays, baits, and dusts are effective solutions against winter pests.
- Plant-Based Insecticide Sprays: Our plant-based insecticide sprays can help to control and prevent winter pest problems. Our Yard Bug Spray and Home Bug Spray kill pests on contact and provide residual repellency. You can spray the perimeter of your yard and home as well as common entry points to help discourage pests from sticking around.
- Insecticide Baits: Baits are ideal when dealing with cockroaches. Our Roach Killer Gel Bait is designed to allow cockroaches to eat the bait and return to the nest. Other cockroaches will be exposed to the bait, helping to eliminate the entire nest.
- Insecticide Dusts: Our Spider & Insect Dust and Bed Bug Killer can help to protect your home from pests this winter. Dust can be applied to areas where pests have been seen as well as in cracks and crevices for longer-lasting protection.
Bugs may think your house is warm and cozy, but that doesn’t mean you have to invite them to stay. Implementing preventative measures and using the right pest control products can help to protect your home from winter pests. If you’re dealing with a pest problem, we’re here to help! For a more environmentally and family-friendly solution, check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.