PESTS BEGIN TO INVADE HOMES AS FALL APPROACHES

Rose Pest Solutions reminds homeowners to be cautious of unwanted pests as the season changes

Be Prepared

The fall season is known to many as the time of year when the leaves change, the air becomes crisp and the nights grow longer. But, it is also a peak time for pests to make their way indoors seeking food, shelter and warmth. Rose Pest Solutions warns that homeowners are likely to experience increased pest activity inside the home as the seasons change.

“During the fall months, smaller pests including spiders, cockroaches and rodents search for a place to take refuge from the cold winter ahead – and houses are a great option,” said Bill Hastings, Director of Special Services Division for the Rose Pest Solutions. “Unfortunately, these pests usually multiply fast, leading to a greater infestation and pest problem. They can damage homes and can even become a danger to our health.”

Tips from NPMA

Experts at the National Pest Management Association, a nonprofit organization committed to the protection of public health, food and property from household pests, recommend the following tips on how to pest proof the house this fall:

• Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home with caulk.
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
• Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
• Screen vents and openings to chimneys.
• Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.
• Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and keep shrubbery well trimmed.

“We also encourage homeowners to always be on the lookout for tell tale signs of a pest infestation. If you find rodent feces, hear sounds of scurrying in the walls or observe gnaw marks on wires, it’s best to contact a pest professional to inspect and treat the potential problem,” added Hastings.

Potential Fall Pests

For our geographic region, certain insects and rodents are more apt to invade your home and property than others. Fall is a season we even see more wildlife hunting and gathering for food in preparation for the cooler temperatures. Here are a few common insects, rodents and species of wildlife to watch out for.

Raccoons

Late September and into October, raccoons are reaching maturity stages. What does this mean? They’re feisty, aggressive, eating more to bulk up for cold months ahead, and looking for shelter. How does this affect you? They’re stronger than most think. They can rip off the flashing on your eaves in a heartbeat and crawl into your house to make a cozy little retreat for themselves. Take a look at the outside of your house. Look for pieces of aluminum siding that are bent or that have crevices or gaps that animals can get into. Now is the time to fix those before snow falls.

Here’s some other wildlife to watch for:

• Squirrels
• Bats
• Chipmunks
• Voles
• Shrews
• Birds

Boxelder Bugs

A bug infestation of any sort is harder to control once it’s in full swing. We have great options for boxelder bug control and prevention. A lot of our customers know when to expect their house to become inundated with these annoying boxelder bugs. We have designed a program around that to treat the exteriors of their houses before the bugs get bad. The products we use last up to three months and will continue to repel all kinds of bugs that try to land on the house. It works so well for boxelder bugs and asian beetles, spiders, flies, and pretty much any other creepy crawler that tries to invade your home. Without doing major repairs on your house, this is the next best thing. It’s cost effective, will keep the bugs out for the most part and will give you peace of mind.

Don’t forget about these bugs!

• Asian beetles
• Spiders
• Flies
• Wasps

Mice

Rodent presence can cause health issues if control measures are not taken. They can also attract more insects, like flies. If you already see signs of mice in the house, there’s no question you’ll need a pest management plan. Rose can definitely help with that, but if you don’t have a problem quite yet, it’s the perfect time to consider prevention by means of exclusion. This would involve sealing cracks and crevices accessible by mice and other rodents, applying caulk or expandable foam, or even using vent covers on your house. Exclusion is a long-term solution and you’ll find that it will help keep other insects and rodents out of your house.

Your Attic

When was the last time you looked up in your attic? You’d be surprised what’s occupying it. Most homeowners don’t realize this either, but the insulation up in the attic could be contributing to higher energy bills, pest activity and access and may just be so old that it needs to be replaced.

TAP Insulation

Thermal-Accoustical-Pest Control. It’s a tax break, continuous pest control, and a very nice insulator and sound barrier. If you don’t feel like going up in your attic alone, just call us and we’ll do it for you! No charge.

Here are some perks with having TAP insulation.

• green and environmentally friendly
• Energy Star-labeled product (will lower your energy costs)
• EPA-certified for pest management
• 32% more energy efficient than traditional insulation
• made from recycled paper and natural borates
• opportunity for tax credit
• blown-in right on top of your existing insulation
• increases property value
• energy and sound-deadening