Why Fall Is the Time to Check Your St. Joseph Home for Pest Entry Points

There's a lot to get done around your house before winter. Outdoor furniture may need to get put away, leaves need to be raked, and sooner or later, the heat comes back on. While you're working through that list, it's important to spend a few minutes looking at the outside of your house for potential entry points for pests. As soon as the temperature drops, those tiny openings will start looking pretty appealing to pests searching for a protected place to hang out during the cold weather. A quick inspection now can help save you from dealing with an indoor pest problem later.

Start With the Doors You Use Every Day

Your front and back doors are easy places to start. If you can see daylight underneath one when it's closed, or the weather stripping has started pulling away, you've probably found a gap worth fixing. Check the less obvious doors while you're at it. The one between the garage and the house or a basement entrance may not get nearly as much attention as the front door.

Give Your Windows a Closer Look

Window screens go through a lot between spring and fall. By this point in the year, you may have a small tear you never noticed or a corner that's starting to pull away from the frame. Take a look the next time you have a window open. Older windows may have gaps around the frame, too. And if you've noticed bugs gathering around a particular window on a sunny fall afternoon, it's worth seeing if there's a small opening nearby.

Check Where Utilities Enter the House

Some potential entry points aren't as obvious as a gap beneath a door. Cable lines, plumbing, electrical connections, and other utilities have to pass through exterior walls somewhere. The openings around them may leave small spaces that pests can use. Walk around the foundation and look at these areas from the outside. If you find gaps, make sure they're sealed with an appropriate material for that part of the home. While you're down there, keep an eye out for cracks or other openings along the foundation itself.

The Garage Deserves Some Attention

It's easy for things to pile up in the garage. Some boxes may not have moved since spring, and there's probably a corner or two you haven't looked at in a while. That's why it's important to check the weather seal along the bottom of the garage door and look around the sides when it's closed. Then spend a few minutes on the clutter inside, looking for webs or indications of other pests.

What About Mosquitoes and Ticks?

Checking entry points is mostly about keeping pests from moving indoors, but don't forget about what's still happening in the yard. Mosquitoes will stay active during warmer stretches of fall, especially if there’s standing water close by. Keep an eye on gutters and containers after rain, even if you're no longer spending every evening outside. Ticks can also remain active in cooler weather. Leaf litter, brush, tall grass, and wooded edges deserve attention while you're doing your fall cleanup.

Take Care of Small Problems Before Winter

A few minutes spent checking doors, windows, utility openings, and the foundation can turn up things you probably wouldn't notice during your normal day. Mosquito Squad of Southwest Michigan can help when pest activity around your property needs more than a little seasonal maintenance. Our recurring mosquito treatments help control up to 85–90% of mosquitoes for up to 3 weeks, and professional services are also available for other common pest concerns. For Saint Joseph, MI pest control, call Mosquito Squad of Southwest Michigan at (269) 340-3580 for a free quote and learn more about our services for your home.