Your Michigan Fall Pest Prevention Checklist

There's always something to do outside once fall gets going. Leaves need to be raked, the gutters need to be cleaned out, and all the summer outdoor things need to be put away. It's also a good time to see what's happening around the yard. Mosquitoes and ticks may still be active, and you might start noticing other bugs in places you weren't seeing them a few weeks ago. A few regular fall chores overlap pretty naturally with fall pest control in Southwest Michigan.

Here's what to check while you're getting the house and yard ready for winter.

Keep Dumping Standing Water

You may not be thinking about mosquitoes as much once the evenings cool down, but don't put away your standing-water routine just yet. Mosquitoes can remain active during warm stretches of fall. Rainwater sitting in a bucket, flowerpot, wheelbarrow, or toy container can still make attractive spots for mosquitoes.

Fall check: Walk around after rain and dump water anywhere it doesn't need to be.

Rake the Places You Usually Ignore

Most of us notice the leaves covering the lawn, but the ones underneath shrubs, behind a shed, or piled along a fence are easier to forget. Those areas tend to stay damp and shaded, meaning they are a prime spot for pests to hang out. Be sure to give them the attention they deserve when cleaning up the yard.

Fall check: Clear leaf piles from the areas where your family and pets spend time.

Give Overgrown Plants a Trim

By the end of summer, your landscaping can get a little wild. Shrubs may be touching the siding, vines can creep toward windows, and grass could be much thicker than it was in the spring. Thick vegetation provides sheltered spots for insects and spiders and can make it harder to see what's happening close to the house.

Fall check: Create a little space between heavy landscaping and the house.

Move Firewood Back From the House

A woodpile can have plenty going on between the logs. Spiders, insects, and other small pests may use those dark spaces for shelter. Should you decide to keep the firewood stacked near your home, that can invite even more pests into your indoor spaces. If possible, move your stacks of firewood farther away from your house.

Fall check: Keep firewood and other stored materials from becoming a permanent pile beside your home’s foundation.

Spend a Few Minutes in the Garage

You may be surprised by what you find when you finally move those boxes in the corner. Garages and sheds don't always get as much activity as the rest of the house, which makes them useful hiding spots for spiders, insects, and more. Plus, bags of pet food, grass seed, or birdseed can provide another reason for pests to stick around.

Fall check: Use sealed containers for anything pests might eat and clear out any cardboard or clutter you no longer need.

Check Yourself and Your Pets for Ticks

Fall hikes, yard work, and afternoons outside can still bring you into contact with ticks. After you spend time around tall grass, brush, leaf litter, or in wooded areas, check yourself for ticks before settling in for the evening. It's important to give your pets a look as well, especially if they've been exploring around the edges of the yard. Ticks may slow down a bit when it gets cooler out, but they certainly don't disappear, so don't stop being aware of them just because there's a chill in the air.

Fall check: Keep tick checks in your routine whenever you're spending time outdoors.

Keep Pest Prevention Going This Fall

No checklist can keep every pest away from your property. That’s why Mosquito Squad of Southwest Michigan offers professional pest management when the bugs around your property aren't responding to routine cleanup. For Michigan fall pest control, call Mosquito Squad of Southwest Michigan at (269) 340-3580 for a free quote and learn more about available pest control solutions before winter arrives.