The attic is one part of the house that's easy to forget about. Unlike the main living space, it is infrequently occupied and unlike the basement it contains no necessary appliances or equipment. Many modern homes don't even have easily accessible attics. Owners of older homes may use their attics for storage or simply seal them off to prevent heat loss during the winter. Typically, home owners don't think about pest control in their attic until there's a problem - that is, until they hear something scraping and scurrying. Here's what to do to keep pests out of your house's attic and what you can do if you suspect pests have already made it their home.
Attic pest exclusion
Older homes should be checked for any cracks or broken seals that might serve as entrances for rodents and insects. In many cases, a visual inspection will be sufficient enough to find such entry points. However, if you think insects might have invaded your attic through an as yet undiscovered crack, you may consider hiring a professional pest control service to survey your attic.
You should always check your home for damage after any serious storm. Branches thrown by the wind or falling hail can easily damage the roof, creating new entryways for pests. Similarly, heavy snowfall might cause parts of the roof to collapse slightly or swell with ice - these damages could cause major problems when spring comes and the ice thaws. Clemson University noted that mice can climb up the side of the house and into any opening larger than a quarter of an inch. Use plaster or wire mesh to keep them out of your attic.
Attic pest control
If you've heard scurrying noises coming from attic, chances are good that it's either mice, rats or squirrels. On some occasions racoons can even enter an attic, though they require a much larger entrance. According to Texas A&M University, snap traps are a good first line of defense for rodent control in attics. The university reported that where there's one mouse, there are usually more - so you'll need several traps to completely control the problem.
Pesticides like poison baits are another good option for attic rodent control. Poison is more effective here, because you generally don't have to worry about children or pets getting into it. That said, you should always be careful when using pesticides and only use chemicals according to their labels.
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.
