Are you dealing with fall pest problems? When the fall season arrives, this does not mean it is time to hit the brakes on pest control. Unfortunately, fall pest control problems can become prevalent this time of year if you do not take proper precautions.
Focusing on those inside and outside of your home, these are the actions to take to prevent fall pest problems through the season.
Maintaining Your Yard
Did you know that your yard can become a breeding ground for pest infestations? Anything from ants to grubs and even rodents can become a problem. The good news is that a little lawn maintenance can go a long way in terms of pest control.
But what does it mean to maintain your yard while helping to avoid pests?
It means that you need to tend to your yard as usual. You will want to continue mowing the grass, setting the mower height at the correct level. The correct mower height will depend on the type of grass that you have in your yard.
Meanwhile, make sure that you keep your flower beds cleaned out. While we don’t find a lot of fallen leaves here in Florida, coverage in any form can give a place for pests to breed and thrive.
However, one large source of pest problems can come from a single aspect of your lawn: wood debris piles.
Remove Debris from Outdoors
Do you have a woodpile located somewhere on your property? Whether this pile is intentional or unintentional, the pile will need to be addressed. This is because different types of insects as well as rodents will find refuge in woodpiles.
If you plan to keep the wood for burning, make sure you do this soon. Otherwise, a woodpile can become a home for both rodents and bugs through the fall and even winter season.
Seal up Exterior Cracks
As you take care of your lawn this fall season, don’t forget to pay attention to the exterior of your home as well. This is a place where insects and rodents can easily gain access.
There are several areas in the exterior of your home where pests can make their way through. One of those areas is cracks in the foundation. You can find cracks where the foundation of your home meets the lawn. You may also find cracks around windows and doors. If you find an excessive amount of cracks, this could be an issue of a potential structural problem with the house. Be sure to contact a home improvement professional.
Otherwise, tending to the occasional crack in the exterior is an easy DIY project. You typically only need caulking, which will fill the cracks with weatherproof material. It also will make it nearly impossible for anybody for rodents to enter inside. Larger holes may need to be patched, so make sure you tend to this task as well.
Take Care of Window Screens
As you are filling cracks in the exterior, you may notice holes in your window screens. This might seem like a minor problem, but it makes for easy access for boxes inside.
If you notice damage to your screens, be sure to either repair or replace them. This ensures there is a proper barrier against bugs, especially if you plan on opening the windows.
Clean Out Your Pantry
The change in the season makes it a good time to clean out your pantry. Think of it as spring cleaning, but doing it for the fall in keeping full pass problems under control.
If your pantry has not been cleaned out in a while, it is very important that you get this task completed. This is especially true if you have open containers on the side of the pantry. Unfortunately, this is a very fast and easy way to attract a slew of pests inside the kitchen.
The best way to clean out a pantry is to remove all items from inside. Take a vacuum cleaner hose and suck out all of the crumbs. You do not want any source of food left inside for bugs to eat.
You will also want to make sure that any dry foods are properly stored inside of airtight containers. This is to also make sure that bugs cannot get inside, resulting in a kitchen infestation.
Clean Out Your Garage
This is one of the last projects that homeowners want to tackle. However, a clean garage can make a difference between a pest-free space or fall pest problems.
If your garage is overly packed, you may need to begin by removing as much as you can. Keep in mind that boxes and clutter make a great hiding space for many pests, ranging from rodents to even snakes.
Get rid of any clutter that you are no longer using. The less clutter and items that you have in the garage, the better.
Ensure the Garage is Ventilated and Dry
Not only should your garage be cleaned out, do you want to make sure it is ventilated and dry. A wet and damp garage can attract rodents by giving them a source of water. The last thing that you want is a pack of rats or mice nesting inside the garage because of a water source.
If needed, bring in a dehumidifier to help dry up all the moisture. The key is to keep the garage as dry as possible not only through the fall, but every other season as well.
Common Fall Pests in Florida
Now that you know how to avoid fall pest problems, you might be wondering what kind of pests you will encounter. Most homeowners will find the usual pass all year long, but you may also discover an uptick in different pests such as the following.
Mice and Rats
Mice and rats can cause major fall pest problems. They are looking for areas to nest, especially during the occasional cold night in Florida. They may look to your home as a refuge, nesting inside the walls or any other places they can find.
You want to keep an eye out for potential mice and rat infestation this time of year. Keep a lookout for mouse or rat droppings, or even shredded paper, clothing, and other soft items. This indicates that the rodents are making nests.
You will also want to make sure all food sources are picked up and cleaned up after use. Unfortunately, rats and mice can nest in many areas of your home, but they particularly look for a quiet and dark place away from people. This is why you can find mice nesting inside the walls. You may also find them inside your garage.
Beetles
Are you noticing an uptick of beetles in or around your home? Unfortunately, you are not imagining things.
Fall is a time of year where various beetle species become prevalent. For example, the stinkbug is a recent invasive species to Florida. They will often occur all year long, but especially in the fall. You will find them inside and outside your home. They can quickly collect in hordes, causing an infestation.
You may also notice an uptick of ladybugs around your home as well. Ladybugs are generally harmless to humans, as they do not sting. However, ladybugs will occasionally bite. A ladybug bite is typically not dangerous unless you are allergic. It feels more like a pinch than a true bug bite.
If you notice an infestation of ladybugs or stink bugs, do you want to contact a pest control company to get rid of them.
Roaches
What Floridian isn’t familiar roaches? Unfortunately, cockroaches are essentially a part of life here in Florida. But the good news is that you can help prevent them, especially before they become a fall pest problem.
One of the best ways to keep roaches at bay is by keeping a clean kitchen. Earlier we mentioned the importance of cleaning out your pantry during the fall season. The avoidance of roaches is a driving reason behind this suggestion.
However, keep in mind that roaches will eat almost anything. They will even eat their own dead! Either way, you can still help prevent roaches as a fall pest problem by keeping a clean kitchen, wiping down the counters from crumbs and keeping food inside of air tight containers.
Get Help With Fall Pest Problems Now
Are you dealing with mice, roaches, or other problematic pestering in the fall season? We are here to help. No one wants to kick off a holiday season with an infestation inside or outside of your home. We have the tools to remove most types of pest infestations, no matter how severe they may seem.
In the meantime, make sure that you follow the suggestions that we listed to prevent fall pest problems. If these suggestions do not bring the results you are looking for, please contact us for more guidance
