Winter in Indianapolis is not a joke. Temperatures here drop fast, forcing different pests to look for warmth, food, and a safe place to ride out the cold. Thankfully, you can take steps to prevent these unwanted visitors from taking over your space. This includes working with Pointe Pest Indianapolis. The company has technicians equipped with knowledge and experience in handling different types of invasive pests. Here’s what you can do to keep pests out:
Seal Entry Points Before the Cold Sets In
Mice need a gap not wider than a pencil to enter your home. Cockroaches can slip through cracks thinner than a dime. A thorough inspection of your home’s exterior is worth every minute it takes. Ensure to focus on these areas:
- Door frames and weatherstripping. Old or compressed weatherstripping leaves gaps at the bottom and sides of exterior doors that rodents and insects can exploit.
- Gaps around utility penetrations. This is where pipes, cables, gas lines, and HVAC components pass through exterior walls. Small voids often go unsealed for years.
- Foundation cracks. Even hairline cracks in your foundation can widen over time and provide access to mice, cockroaches, and other pests at ground level.
- Roofline gaps and damaged soffits. Roof rats and squirrels are agile climbers and will use any deteriorated section of your roofline as a doorway into your attic.
Use caulk for sealing smaller gaps and steel wool or hardware cloth for rodent-prone areas. Also, use expandable foam for larger voids around pipes.
Reduce Clutter Inside and Outside
Clutter provides cover, nesting material, and harborage for pests. Winter is a good time to take stock of what you are storing and how you are storing it. Pay attention to the following:
· Cardboard boxes stacked in basements, attics, and garages. Mice can shred these boxes for nesting material, and cockroaches use them for harborage.
- Piles of old newspapers, fabric, or foam stored in low-traffic areas. Mice can use these materials as hiding spots or for building nests.
- Seldom-used spaces. These include crawl spaces and utility rooms.
In addition, move firewood at least 20 feet from your home’s exterior. Woodpiles stored against the house give rodents and insects a protected spot to overwinter right next to a potential entry point. Also, clear leaf piles, dense ground cover, and debris from along your foundation.
Address Moisture Problems Promptly
Cockroaches, silverfish, and rodents are drawn to damp environments. Indianapolis winters can create opportunities for moisture to accumulate inside homes.
Check under sinks for slow drips and inspect your basement for water intrusion after rain or snowmelt. Make sure your crawl space has proper vapor barrier coverage. A dehumidifier in a damp basement can reduce pest pressure, especially for cockroaches and silverfish that thrive in humid environments.
Store Food and Trash Properly
Pests that make it inside your home need food to survive. Cutting off this supply can make your home less hospitable through the winter months.
Move pantry staples into airtight glass or hard plastic containers. These include bags and cardboard boxes, which are not a barrier to a determined mouse. Keep trash cans sealed with tight-fitting lids, both inside and outside. Take indoor trash out regularly. Also, clean up pet food dishes at night, store pet food in sealed containers, and wipe down kitchen surfaces and sweep up crumbs daily.
Work With a Pest Control Professional
A licensed pest control technician can identify vulnerabilities you might miss and apply treatments that provide protection through the winter months. Winter service visits in Indianapolis typically include interior crack and crevice treatments, rodent bait station placement, and a full inspection of the areas pests are most likely to target.
