Getting help from pest control in McKinney, TX can make your home less inviting to those guests that you don’t want settling in for the winter. Things like cockroaches, spiders, rodents, and termites can dig in deep into your home while escaping the cold winds blowing outside and make your home a little less enjoyable for the holidays. Call us today at 713-714-6970 or visit us online to schedule your appointment. Let us help you make your home more secure from the outside in. We’ll provide a barrier for those who want to come in while eliminating the ones that make it through. We want you to enjoy your home with only the guests you’ve invited.
Below are 5 tips to help you prevent pests from invading your home this year!
Remove Standing Water
Pests need food, water & shelter. But one of the biggest draws for them is water because it’s harder to come by than food and shelter. In fact, water can draw in a wider variety of pests than almost anything else. For example, leaky pipes that soak wood make it a target for termites. Standing water is a source for mosquitoes, water bugs, and more. Leaky pipes and standing water also draw in rodents which can make their way into your home.
In other words, you want to remove any source of water because it’ll make you a target. The best way to do this is to examine your home to make sure there are no leaky pipes or standing water on your property. If there is, fix the pipes and drain the water if you can. This simple step can go a long way in deterring pests from your property.
Clean Up Debris & Yard Clutter
Clutter and debris in your yard is an easy way to draw pests in. Leaving piles of wood attracts termites, spiders, roaches, and various other pests. Piles of leaves, vegetation, and trash will attract cockroaches and rodents. Remember that pests of all types are searching for water, food, and shelter. Clutter provides many pests both food and shelter.
In order to avoid these problems, here are the best actions to take:
- Move woodpiles away from the house as far as possible
- Remove any trash piles from your property
- Remove leaves
- Keep trash cans sealed
- Remove old, dead stumps as these can also attract termites
Seal Up Potential Entry Points
One of the most effective things you can do to prevent pests from entering your McKinney home is to seal up entry points. In professional pest control, we call this exclusion. Essentially, you want to walk the perimeter of your home and look for any cracks, gaps, etc. where pests could enter. Pay special attention to gaps under doors, windows, and around pipes. Rodents can easily enter into holes as small as a quarter. If you find holes, seal them up with appropriate materials.
For example, install door sweeps under doors. For your windows, make sure they close fully and that your screens are intact. when you notice slightly larger holes that rodents could enter, use steel mesh or other materials that rodents can’t easily chew through.
Remove Food Sources
Pests feed on many, many different things. So the best thing you can do is to remove anything that could be eaten. Some very easy steps to take include ensuring your trash cans have good lids and that they’re on. Second, remove birdseed, fallen fruit, and other potential food sources for pests. And finally, remember that some pests feed on others. So, if you notice spiders around your house, chances are that you have other insects nearby. That brings us to the final tip…
Hire a Management Team
Professional pest control is not expensive – especially when you consider the damage pests like termites and rodents can inflict on your property and health. The tips above should be followed even if you have a professional pest team because it ensures your home is set up to remain pest-free. However, hiring a pest professional to perform quarterly service is affordable, guaranteed to work, and you always have someone paying attention to your home. We’ll monitor for termites, rodents, and all other types of common household pests. It’s an added layer of protection and peace of mind that you can’t get without the pros. If you live in McKinney, TX or one of the surrounding areas, give Stampede Pest Control a call now!