All of the holiday celebrations have come and gone, which means it’s time to start figuring out what you’re going to do for New Year’s Eve.If you’re anything like us, you’re either planning a party of your own or figuring out a dish to bring to a gathering of friends and family. After grabbing the trendiest recipes from Pinterest, take some time to go through your pantry, make sure your ingredients are fresh, and clean up potential lures for pests common this time of year.
Best Practices for a pest-free kitchen
This is all common sense, but here are some quick tips from Rose and the National Pest Management Association to help keep your kitchen free of pests.
Prevent pantry pests:
- Clean up all spills and crumbs immediately.
- Store everything in airtight containers.
- Dispose of garbage regularly.
- Don’t purchase expired, unsealed or broken packages from the store.
- Make sure your screens and doors are properly setup to prevent pesky intruders.
- Check the dates on everything before you use it.
- Investigate your home for moisture sites like leaking pipes, clogged drains and lack of drainage.
- Pull out the refrigerator and stove and vacuum any food debris that may have been collecting underneath them.
Winter Wildlife Shenanigans
Cold, snowy weather is ideal for foraging critters to get a bit too close for comfort. Sure, they’re super cute to watch in the backyard, but if they really like your cozy attic, they’ll do some serious damage to your property. The good news is that there are plenty of preventative measures that the NPMA recommends to homeowners to keep wildlife at a safe viewing distance without creeping too close on your turf.
Prevent nuisance wildlife:
- Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
- Install a mesh cover or cap over chimneys.
- Cover exhaust fan openings, soffit and attic vents, and tops of window wells.
- Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
- Keep tree limbs cut back 6 to 8 feet from the roof line and store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house.
- Keep garbage in a secure container that cannot be opened by raccoons.
- Place birdbaths where wildlife cannot reach them or provide birds with water away from the home. Birdbaths, fountains or pet water dishes may draw wildlife pests, especially where water is scarce.
- Do not leave brush, leaf piles or other debris to accumulate.
Regardless of what kind of pest problems you’re dealing with, the experts at Rose Pest are here to help. Get free quotes from us about Food Pest Service.
