As the leaves on Long Island turn golden and a crispness fills the air, it's the perfect time to enjoy the beauty of the fall season. However, as temperatures drop, many outdoor pests will be looking for warm shelter – and your Long Island home can look mighty inviting! Don't let unwanted guests like rodents, spiders, and stink bugs turn your cozy autumn into a pest control headache. This guide will provide simple, effective tips to keep your home pest-free this fall.
Just like us, pests are sensitive to the changing seasons. As the weather cools down, their food sources dwindle, and the comfortable outdoor temperatures they enjoyed all summer begin to drop. This drives them to seek out warmer, more protected environments, and your home offers just that:
Warmth: Your heated home provides a much-needed refuge from the increasingly chilly outdoor temperatures.
Shelter: Attics, basements, crawl spaces, and wall voids offer ideal hiding spots away from the elements and predators.
Potential Food Sources: Even the smallest crumbs or improperly stored food can be a beacon for hungry pests preparing for winter.
Protecting your home from fall invaders doesn't require drastic measures. By taking a few proactive steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of pest problems:
Seal Those Entry Points: Just like preparing for winter drafts, inspect the exterior of your home for any cracks or openings. Pay close attention to areas where pipes and wires enter, around windows and doors, and along the foundation. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal these potential pathways.
Mind Your Landscaping: Trim back shrubs and tree branches that are close to your home's foundation or roofline. These can act as bridges for pests to gain access. Clear away leaf litter and debris from around your foundation, as these can provide harborage for various pests.
Secure Food Storage: Ensure all food inside your home is stored in airtight containers. Promptly clean up spills and crumbs. Pet food should also be stored securely.
Manage Moisture: Pests are attracted to moisture. Ensure your gutters are clean and draining properly to prevent water buildup near your foundation. Consider using a dehumidifier in damp basements or crawl spaces.
Screen Vents and Openings: Check that screens on windows and doors are in good repair. Ensure that attic and crawl space vents are properly screened to prevent entry.
Be Aware of Firewood: If you use a fireplace, store firewood away from your home's foundation. Pests like to hide in wood piles and can easily make their way inside when you bring the wood indoors. Inspect firewood carefully before bringing it inside.
Knowing what pests are common during the fall in our area can help you stay vigilant:
Rodents (Mice and Rats): These critters seek warmth and shelter and can squeeze through surprisingly small openings. Look for droppings, gnaw marks, and scratching noises.
Spiders: Many spiders seek sheltered spots indoors as the weather cools. You might notice more webs in corners and along walls.
Stink Bugs: These nuisance pests often congregate on the sunny sides of homes in the fall and can find their way inside through cracks and openings.
Crickets: While you might hear their chirping outdoors, crickets often find their way inside homes in the fall. They are attracted to warmth and moisture and can be a noisy nuisance once indoors.
Wildlife (Squirrels, Raccoons, Opossums): Larger wildlife can also be a problem. These animals may seek shelter in a variety of places, including your attic, crawl spaces, or under decks. They can create a lot of noise and cause significant damage to insulation, wiring, and other parts of your home.