As the weather cools down for winter, Central Florida homeowners need to make sure their homes are ready to stand up to pests. Even though Central Florida winters don’t get as cold as other parts of the country, it’s still important to remember that pests like roaches and mice will look for a place to hunker down for the cold season.
Wondering how to make your home unappealing to pests? Read on for a few pest control tips for the fall season to help you prepare for winter.
1. Patch Up Gaps
Pests don’t need a lot of space to squeeze their way into your home. Even the tiniest gap could become a highway for pests looking for a winter home. Even mice and rats can make their way inside through gaps as small as a quarter! Look over your home’s exterior carefully and use caulk or another sealant to patch up any gaps you see. This process is called pest exclusion.
Of course, it’s always best to have a pest control professional handle this process. A pro knows exactly what to look for and can seal these gaps easily. The pros at Forest Pest Control can even reach inaccessible areas like wall and ceiling voids to check for a pest presence.
2. Seal Food Containers
Many pests see human homes as an easy source of food, water, and shelter. One of the easier ways to discourage pests is to keep your food well-sealed so they can’t get to it. Use airtight containers for food storage – including pet food. Also, clean up spills promptly; small pests like ants and roaches don’t need a lot of food, and even the smallest amount could attract them!
3. Keep Up With Yard Maintenance
Keeping your yard neat isn’t just about looking good. Yard debris like fallen leaves creates pest harborage – places where pests can hide. Raking leaves is a classic autumn chore, but it also has a lot of value when it comes to keeping pests away from your home.
4. Clean Out Your Gutters
Your gutters can play a big role in pest control efforts! Cluttered gutters retain moisture, which attracts all sorts of pests, including ants. Cleaning out your gutters can remove standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so if you get rid of any standing water on your property, you might notice fewer mosquitoes when the weather warms up again!
"*" indicates required fields
Common Types of Fall Pests
In Central Florida during the fall, there are a number of pests that view your home as an excellent place to overwinter. Below are just a few of them:
- Cockroaches: Roaches are notorious for being hard to kill. They can even survive without their heads for multiple days! It can be difficult or impossible to handle these pests without help from a pro.
- Ants: Ants are everywhere, no matter where you go. Their colonies are vast and difficult to kill completely on your own. They’re after food, so make sure they don’t have easy access to it in your home.
- Rodents: Rats and mice can carry disease, contaminate food, and even cause property damage with their nonstop chewing. They’re also sneaky, and can reproduce quickly; if you see even a single rodent, chances are that many, many more are nearby.
- Stink bugs: Stink bugs are more of a nuisance than anything else, but their droppings can stain your exterior paint and their smell can be extremely off-putting. They squeeze their way indoors during fall to hunker down for winter – and they’ll cluster together just about anywhere.
Count on Forest Pest Control for Autumn Pest Control
Homeowners in the Central Florida area have relied on the Forest Pest Control team for high-quality pest control since 1991. As the winter weather gets closer, it’s the best time to make sure your home is ready to stand up against overwintering pests. Our team is ready and waiting to help!
Give us a call to get started with a free quote!
4 Fall Pest Tips for Florida Homes in Central Florida
Serving Orange, Lake, Seminole, Volusia, & Osceola Counties