The weather is cooler, lattes are starting to taste like pumpkin spice, and the leaves are quickly changing color — which means one thing: It’s officially fall, and pests are starting to look for warmer spaces to nest and breed. To make sure that they don’t find their way in your house, you’ll need to take a few important steps. Here are some tips from our pest management experts.

1. Take Care of Any Moisture

Basements, attics, and crawl spaces can be the darkest and dampest areas of your home. While you may avoid them, pests are attracted to moisture. Head down (or up) and thoroughly expect for leaks or water damage, make the necessary repairs to keep moisture out, and use a dehumidifier to control the humidity. Grab a ladder and clean out any clogged gutters that could cause water backup near your roofline while you’re at it.

2. Seal Any Cracks and Crevices

Examine the exterior of your home. Do you see any cracks in the foundations or the walls? Are there any tiny crevices that lead directly underneath or inside? Is your siding peeling or lifting away from your home? These are great ways for pests to sneak in unnoticed and need to be sealed to prevent unwanted guests. Don’t underestimate these tight squeezes; even mice can get through an opening the size of a dime. 

3. Add Screens to Vents

Don’t ignore the often-overlooked parts of your home that may not necessarily need repair. HVAC and dryer vents, chimneys, and doggy doors can all act like a wide-open front door that pests can march right through. For these openings that can’t be sealed, screens are a great way to keep ventilation while also keeping pests out.

4. Tackle Repairs

A follow-up to the second tip: As you’re working around the house, go through your fall home-maintenance list. Repair damaged window and door screens, tighten up loose weather stripping around exterior doors, and look closely for crumbling mortar between bricks. These are all entry points for pests to march right in. 

5. Clean Up the Kitchen

We hate to sound like your mom, but maybe it’s time to clean your kitchen. Crumbs or open food containers left out on your countertops are good eats for pests, open containers in your pantry is a never-ending snack bar, and food and water left in pet bowls are an endless supply of nourishment for creepy-crawlies. Would you leave a place where you could eat all you want?

6. Track Your Trash

Okay, so maybe you listened to your mom about cleaning the kitchen, but let’s talk about the garbage cans outside. The bags you throw away need to be tied up securely and the cans you use should be able to close completely and kept a bit of a distance from your home. That way, if pests do get in they’ll be far enough away as not to be tempted to go inside. 

7. Double-Check What You Bring Inside

Whether you’re switching out your summer wreath for Halloween decorations or you’re bringing in that long-awaited Amazon package that was delivered while you were at work, check out what you’re bringing inside. You could be unknowingly bringing in pests, too. The same goes for any yard equipment you put away in the garage after you rake those lovely autumn leaves.

8. Maintain Your Yard

While that cozy fire pit is great for fall get-togethers, it’s also a great nesting area for pests. Clean it up after every use and keep firewood far away from your home. Remember those piles of lovely autumn leaves? Dispose of them properly instead of creating piles that sit in your yard until Thanksgiving. 

9. Watch For Signs

Even with proper maintenance and prevention on your behalf, there’s a good chance pests can get inside your home unnoticed. Staying on top of the problem means looking for signs of burrowing or nesting, or you come across droppings or dead bugs. It’s not too late to resolve a pet problem if you see signs, but it’s definitely time to call in the pros.

10. Call In the Pros

Save the DIYing for your autumn home decor accents and let our team of experts take care of the pest prevention. Ants, spiders, rodents, cockroaches, and more — we can tackle an infestation and help prevent pests from returning to your home. Get in touch to get rid of your pest problem before fall turns to winter!