Sometimes, you might not give pest management much thought during the winter. After all, the area’s chilly winters do a fantastic job of keeping the outdoor insect population to a minimum. Low temperatures keep annoying outdoor pests like houseflies, stinging insects like bees and hornets, and mosquitoes outside your home. They particularly enjoy hiding in dark, warm places like basements and under appliances. 

Fortunately, there are several things you can do as a homeowner to get your house ready for pest management in the winter. Many of the creatures you overlook in the spring, summer, and fall, including rodents like mice, spiders, roaches, and bugs, love to spend the winter inside your home. Utilize this checklist to prepare your home for the winter and protect it from typical pests hunting for entry points. To learn more, visit the San Antonio pest control experts at Stride Pest Control. 

Pest Control Checklist for the Winter

• Check your home’s exterior for gaps, crevices, or other potential access spots for tiny rodents and insects. Caulk or other sealants can be used to caulk up these openings tightly to keep off intruders.

• Repair or replace loose weatherstrip surrounding windows or doors to keep out bugs and chilly draughts.

• Make sure the vents on any chimneys are screened to prevent bugs from getting inside.

• Check the humidity in your basement, attic, and any crawl areas. Because cockroaches favor dark, damp areas, you need them to be as dry and well-ventilated as possible, mainly to keep them free of cockroaches.

• To check for bugs seeking to establish a home in your heating and ducts, replace or clean the filters.

• If necessary, apply bug repellent surrounding doors every few months.

• Regularly sweep and vacuum in kitchens where food scraps can draw in and feed pests like roaches.

• Check the mortar on the home’s foundation for any cracks or loose pieces, and mend it if necessary.

• Keep stacks of firewood a sufficient distance from the entrances of your home. Ideally, at least 20 feet. Spiders, mice, and other animals enjoy woodpiles and may quickly get inside your house if they are close enough.

• Keep debris off the flooring of basements and garages. This is where pests will establish their base camps if they are already there or manage to get inside. The fewer clutter-filled areas there are, the fewer hiding places there are for bugs to spend the winter.

• Inspect your doors for door sweep damage, and if necessary, install new ones. Energy expenditures will be reduced as insects from slithering under doors are prevented.
• To prevent pests from getting out of window frames, fix any damaged window screens.