Crisp, fall weather is a pleasant respite from the humid, hot days of summer, but it's also the beginning of chilly nights that are apt to draw rodents into buildings to escape the cold. Rats and mice are a resourceful crew and nimble enough to pass their bodies through even the smallest opening.
Once inside, they may start nesting with plans to settle in for as long as they can while cold weather continues. When they search for food, they do it at times when they're least likely to be caught. Through it all, they carry bacteria and filth that contaminates both the food and surfaces that are in their path.
Whether you own a business or a home, rodents are among the pests most likely to stick around after summer is over. It's difficult enough encountering one outside, but when they intrude on people indoors, it becomes a scary nuisance and a health problem.
Calling a commercial pest control service like Abell Pest Control is the best move that property owners can make to find out the scope of their rodent problem through a thorough pest inspection. Once completed, a customized treatment plan will be put in action with follow-up advice on how to prevent future rodent intrusions.
You may have noticed when you encounter rodents outdoors that they're typically near moist, dark areas. They're drawn to basement windows and door wells and crawl spaces under porches. Those are the places to check first, along with any spots where rats and mice may gain entrance to your home or business.
A leaking pipe or clogged drain is a good breeding place for rats. They'll nest between walls and floors and wherever they can get water and food from rubbish.
If you find any cracks or holes on the outside of your building - commonly around pipes and areas where utilities enter the house - block these openings with steel wool and caulk over them.
Loosened weather stripping around windows and doors or a crack in the building foundation may have provided just enough room for rodents to creep inside. These areas should be plugged, caulked and reapplied with sealants. Install door sweeps under all exterior doors and screens over chimney vents.
Once building gaps are addressed, move any unused firewood at least 20 feet from your building, clear out debris and trim back shrubs and other greenery. These are potential hiding places for rodents that, once removed, will limit their access indoors.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
