It’s officially fall, and one of the things most people enjoy about fall is that the annoying flying insects such as mosquitos, flies, and bees have gone away, making spending time outdoors much more enjoyable. While you’re admiring the beautiful fall landscape with its distinctive colors and cooler temperatures, keep in mind that winter is just around the corner, and you aren’t the only one seeking shelter when it’s cold outside – many varieties of pests are drawn to our warm homes as well. The good news is that there are things you can do to winterize your home so that your heat stays in, and pests stay out.

When the temperatures drop and we inevitably spend more time indoors staying warm and dry, many pests are also seeking shelter from the cold and the elements, including: 



• Rodents – Rats and mice will try to sneak into your home to find shelter and food sources during the winter. While you may think your door locks and deadbolts will keep them out, the fact is that an adult mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime. Rodents are known to spread many diseases such as Hantavirus, Salmonella, and more, and exposure to their droppings can cause serious respiratory problems. If you think you might have rodents invading your home (you see droppings, signs of chewing on food packaging, or the family dog/cat is stalking a particular corner), call U.S. Pest Control for expert rodent control in Henrico. 
• Cockroaches – Cockroaches also like to sneak into your home and bring their friends when it gets cold outside. Unfortunately, they require an even smaller entry point than mice. As large as some species of roaches can get, they only need a 1/16” gap to gain entry to your home. Having cockroaches in your home can trigger and exacerbate asthma and allergies, so it’s important to keep the roaches out in the cold. If you notice cockroach activity in your home, U.S. Pest Control can take care of the problem quickly. 
• Spiders – Spiders are hunters of bugs, so when more bugs are taking refuge in your home than usual, they’ll be drawn in by the potential of both shelter and a steady food source. While spiders can benefit your pest control efforts by eating other bugs who invade your home, they can also bite you and your family members or pets, causing health complications. If you’ve noticed more spider activity than usual, call U.S. Pest Control for effective and efficient spider control. 

 Just as you lock your doors and windows to keep burglars out, the first thing you need to do to winterize your home against invasive pests is to identify and eliminate potential entry points. Here are some tips to keep your home pest-free this winter.

• Explore the exterior of your home and seal any cracks or holes you find, especially in areas where utilities and pipes are going into the home. Check the weatherstripping around your windows and doors to make sure it’s still in good condition and replace it if not. This will not only keep pests out, but it will also keep your heat in and help control your heating costs.
• Check your plumbing to make sure there aren’t any leaky pipes or areas of excessive moisture. Your kitchen and bathrooms are common areas for roaches to infest and multiply, so check underneath your sinks and make sure the pipes coming in are sealed with no gap around them. If you have a crawlspace, You may want to consider crawlspace encapsulation to keep moisture and pests out of your crawlspace. 
• Install door sweeps on your doors and replace any broken screens on your windows to prevent pests from sneaking in. If you have a chimney, make sure the vents are screened to prevent pest entry (don’t worry, Santa will still be able to use his magic to get in). 
  

Part of the science of pest control is not only understanding how pests behave, but also why. You have to think like a pest. What environmental factors attract them to your home, and how can you eliminate those attractants? Here are some easy things you can do around your home to make pests less likely to want to come in.



• Make sure your kitchen and other food storage areas are cleaned regularly and free of food debris in corners and around appliances. Even the smallest crumbs of food or bits of grease will attract hungry pests and motivate them to sneak into your home and help themselves to dinner.
• Eliminate clutter in storage areas and keep cardboard boxes off the floor. Rodents like to hide in clutter and chew through boxes (and anything inside them). 
• If you use firewood to heat your home or just enjoy a nice fire in the fireplace, make sure your wood pile is at least 20 feet away from your house. Woodpiles are popular nesting spots for rodents, ants, and spiders, so you don’t want your firewood attracting unwanted guests in close proximity to your house. 

The cold winter months come with enough challenges as it is, and we know you don’t want a family of mice or cockroaches crashing your holiday party and endangering your family. Hopefully these tips will help you keep your home toasty warm and pest-free this winter! 

If you notice pest activity in your Henrico VA area home, U.S. Pest Control is here to help. Click here to get your free “pest control near me” quote!