Pest Proofing Before Your Holiday Trip Tips
Getting away for the holidays is great! Getting ready to get away for the holidays is not that great. It’s hard not to stress out about leaving your home for an extended period of time. Worrying about gross insects, bugs and rats getting in while you’re gone can’t help, either. Unfortunately, pests aren’t about to give you a break just because you’re busy. A lot of pest infestations occur right before or during the holidays. Pests are just waiting for the right opportunity. Don’t give them that opportunity. Here are Pegasus Pest Control’s four best tips for winter pest proofing before your holiday trip. Follow these before you go on your trip, and even the most clever bug won’t be able to get its grinch during the holidays.
#1 Find Drafts
Drafts happen when a gap in the wall of a home allows cold air to seep in. That cold air replaces warm air in the home by sucking it out the same gap where it got in. Pests feel this hot air from outside and follow it, hoping to find a place to keep warm. Mice are particularly good at finding and following drafts. Just about any gap wide enough to create a draft could be wide enough to let mice in.
Seal the gaps that create drafts with caulk and/or insulation material where applicable.
#2 Fix Leaks
All living creatures need water to live, even winter pests. Moisture and humidity attract pests almost as much as the promise of warmth. Little insects don’t require much water to get by, so even a small plumbing leak works just fine. Pests find the moisture they need by sensing air humidity or smelling loose moisture. Even small plumbing leaks can drive up a home’s humidity enough to attract pests.
Make sure you check any potential leaks and fix them before leaving for the holidays.
#3 Store Food
Food attracts pests just as reliably in winter as it does the rest of the year. Some pests, like rodents or box elders, are content to simply munch on food through winter. Others, like pantry moths, might infest your food and even lay eggs in it. You don’t want to come home to a pantry moth infestation.
Start by disposing of any food that’ll go bad while you’re away. Store any food you’re keeping in your house in airtight, hard plastic containers. Finally, clean up the kitchen and dining room right before you leave, so you don’t leave crumbs behind.
#4 Seal Entryways
Entryways like doors and windows are the number one way pests get into homes. Tiny gaps naturally develop near doors and windows in several ways. The elements wear away at thresholds and weatherstripping. Continual use may warp or damage joints, housing, or moving parts. Some pests even work away at sealing surrounding thresholds themselves.
Weatherstripping on doors and windows is sturdy, but it also wears away quickly. You should consider re-stripping each door and window in your home seasonally. While you’re at it, make sure doors and windows sit properly in their frames.
Pest Proofing Your Home in Sacramento, Ca
Even if you end up with a pest infestation this winter, don’t panic. Just call Pegasus Pest Control at 888.885.5017 and we’ll take care of it quickly, effectively, and permanently. You’ve got enough to worry about this time of year, so let us sweat the small stuff. Happy Holidays!
