Although we’re experiencing a milder autumn than normal, the temperature has definitely dropped. This is why you need to maintain your home for pest proofing – to prevent common autumn pests from infesting.
Doing some pest proofing around your home will not only prevent pests from infesting, it also may save you some money in the long run.
The colder weather brings common pests into our homes such as rats, mice and fleas. You may also have more of a problem with bed bug control and squirrels as well.
Pest Proofing For Every Room In The House
Here is our guide, with ideas and suggestions for the whole house, room by room…
Loft
A loft is the perfect retreat for pets like rats and mice during the winter. It gives them peace and quiet, shelter, warmth and will surely be near a great food source. There’s also an abundance of nesting materials in a loft that you may not even be aware of.
Pest proofing the attic:
- Find and replace all broken and damaged roof tiles.
- Fill in any cracks with roofing cement.
- Inspect your roof space regularly to check for any infestations.
- Keep your loft tidy and clutter free as much as possible.
- Stored items should be kept in plastic boxes. Avoid cardboard boxes if you can.
Bedroom
A very common pest problem in the UK at this time of year is moths. We often store all of our winter clothes, and now we’re getting them out again as the temperatures drop. This is when you may notice some holes in clothes caused by a moth infestation.
Another pest problem you can experience in your bedroom in the autumn is bed bugs. They’re an all year round problem but can peak around this time of year and Christmas.
Pest proofing the bedroom:
- Use sticky traps and moth killer strips if you are experiencing a moth problem.
- Make sure windows are fully sealed and cracks are filled in.
- Vacuum the entire room.
- Inspect carpets and furniture and replace those which you fear may be infested after treatment.
Bathroom
Pipes, drains, sinks, baths and showers all provide the same thing – water. And this moisture can encourage pests into your bathroom. A badly maintained plumbing system will lead to leaks. Any sort of standing water will definitely encourage a pest control problem.
Pest proofing the bathroom:
- Check all of your pipes regularly for leaks.
- Repair any damage to the guttering and make sure the sealant is intact.
- Check drain and gutters can flow freely and remove any obstructions in them such as fallen leaves.
- Repair leaks around your home.
Garage
Garages are most often used for storage rather than cars. Be warned though that pests will love to nest in all of this.
Pest proofing your garage:
- Cover air vents with mesh so that no pests can gain access.
- Store items in plastic containers and keep things off the floor as much as possible.
- Install bristle strips along the bottom of the doors that connect your home to your garage.
- Seal gaps and crevices that may have appeared in the brick work and walls.
Garden
It’s probably going to be that your garden will be relatively unattended during the winter. So autumn is a great time to pest proof. Overgrown gardens provide the perfect hiding places for garden pests and can even act as an easy access route to your home.
Pest proofing your garden:
- Trim all branches and shrubbery back, away from your house.
- Mow the lawn to stop pests from hiding in it.
- If your shed is in disrepair, try to fix it or replace it before the winter comes.
Kitchen
Kitchens are always a hotspot for pest activity. This is because kitchens have such great food sources. It’s often the room in the house that is singled out by pest controllers as most at risk of suffering a pest infestation.
Pest proofing your kitchen:
- Fix any leaks your kitchen sink may have. This includes dripping taps.
- If your bin doesn’t have a properly fitting lid, either fix it or replace it with one that does.
- Check for any cracks in the walls of your kitchen and repair them with the appropriate material.
- Install door sweeps for any doors leading outside and reseal windows around your kitchen.
Chimney
Many houses don’t have an open chimney anymore, with many new builds having gas fireplaces. However, it may still be important for you to know how to pest proof a chimney. Pests like birds, bats and squirrels will be very happy to nest in your chimney in the autumn.
Pest proofing your chimney:
- Check the chimney regularly for signs of pests.
- Install a chimney cap to keep all pests and animals out so no infestation can happen.
Autumn is the perfect time to do all of these pest proofing measures before it gets too cold. Pests will be wanting to hole up in your home for the winter, so make sure all of your pest proofing jobs have been done before then.
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