Fall Into A Pest Proofing Routine

The National Pest Management Association offers fall pest proofing tips for homeowners

November 4, 2016 (Fairfax, VA) – With holiday preparations underway like decorating, baking, and making plans with loved ones, other important to-dos can fall to the wayside, such as pest-proofing the home. Yet, many classic fall and winter pests, like rodents, spiders and cockroaches are moving indoors, causing contamination, diseases, property damage and allergies.

To avoid infestations, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) encourages homeowners to pest proof their homes against these uninvited houseguests.

“Fall pests can create serious problems for our family once inside the home, so it is crucial to prevent them from finding their way inside in the first place. Rodents can inflict property damage by chewing through drywall, insulation, wood and electrical wiring, increasing the potential risk for fires, and they can contaminate food and spread diseases like salmonella,” said Cindy Mannes, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “Most spiders we find in the home pose little risk to our health, with the exception of Black Widow and Brown Recluse spiders, but no one wants their home overrun by these arachnids, and cockroaches can aggravate allergies and trigger asthma attacks, especially in children.”

The NPMA recommends these pest-proofing tips to keep bugs, spiders and rodents out:

• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens
• Screen vents and openings to chimneys
• Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the structure
• Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles
• Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows
• Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes, clogged drains and clear leaves from gutters
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and brush it off before bringing it indoors
• After pulling decorations from storage, unpack them outdoors to check for signs of pests. Look inside boxes for droppings, gnaw marks or live bugs. Examine string lights to ensure wiring is fully intact.
• If you suspect a pest infestation in your home, contact a licensed pest control professional to properly inspect, identify and treat the problem.

For more information on fall pest proofing, visit PestWorld.org. 

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About the National Pest Management Association
The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 7,000 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry's commitment to the protection of public health, food and property. For more information, visit PestWorld.org.