With the arrival of fall, many insects that live in Quebec during the summer due to mild temperatures will migrate to areas further south to escape the cold. Others will choose a completely different approach, namely sneaking into your home for the winter. However, although very resourceful, insects and parasites will not be able to do this if you have taken every precaution to prevent them from entering your home.
Here are some tips to keep insects out of your home this fall and avoid infestations.
Addressing infestation risk factors
If insects are already living in your garden, chances are much greater that they will try to enter your home when the mercury drops. In this sense, eliminating habitats and factors that support colony proliferation is the first piece of advice to take into account if you want to avoid problems.
Wood lice, spiders, ants and other pests are particularly fond of damp environments. Take the time to clean your gutters if they are cluttered with dead leaves. Also, avoid storing your firewood near the walls of your home and be extremely careful when bringing it indoors.
Seal high-risk outdoor areas
Needless to say, insects are capable of sneaking through very small diameter cracks, crevices and holes. Therefore, no risk should be taken and all areas likely to allow harmful pests to infiltrate should be sealed.
Among these, window frames, roof flashings, wooden siding covering masonry units should be monitored with special attention. Using a sealant product sold in hardware stores, you can ensure that insects have no access to the building’s interior. The same applies to the foundations. If you notice cracks on them, be vigilant and seal them with putty or concrete.
Install anti-pest barriers on vents
Although your goal is to prevent insects and parasites from taking refuge in your home, you are not expected to turn your home into a bunker either! It is important to clarify this, because air exchanges between the inside and outside are very important to avoid mould problems that may require decontamination of the premises.
To prevent pests from entering through these ducts or vents, the best option is to equip them with physical barriers such as very fine mesh fences that will allow air to circulate freely.
In addition to being effective against insects, these infestation prevention measures also prevent mice, field mice and squirrels from taking up residence in your attic.
Ensure an insect-free fall in your home
If you follow all these precautions, you will undoubtedly be better protected against insect invasion attempts this fall. However, some variables will always remain difficult to control.
If you want to be sure that your home will not be attacked by pests, why not trust the pest management experts at Elite Extermination? With more than 10 years of experience in the field, we can offer you services in several regions of Quebec including Montreal, Laval, Longueuil and Repentigny.
