Game of Pests, Winter is coming!

Ever feel you’re battling your own “Game of Thrones” with the pest seasons? You just want to protect your own kingdom. Keep the structure safe from the infiltrating pests and rodents from finding that one small break in the walls and sneak in right under your nose.
Just when you think you’ve fought off the mosquitoes and army of ants around your home from the summer weather, you have to prepare and battle possible rodent issues and other pests and not to mention Winter is coming! …but I digress.
It’s time to prepare for the cooler months to come. You may have already treated around the yard to keep out the crickets and ants, but what about the “others”? No, not those “others”, but rodents and large roaches and such.

According to the National Pest Management Association, pest proofing that will be the most beneficial for cooler weather should include:
• Screen attic vents and openings to chimneys.
• Eliminate moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.
• Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home using caulk and steel wool. Pay close attention where utility pipes enter the structure.
• Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.
• Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house; keep shrubbery well trimmed.
• Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens.
• Inspect items such as boxes of decorations and grocery bags before bringing them indoors.

While some summer pests are retreating, still others, like crickets, spiders and mice will be looking for shelter from the cooler, wetter days. The biggest issues I have are seeing the large roaches. Not the little spiders or other small pests coming in from behind my home where it backs up to the greenbelt. It’s the really large water bugs that look like they are are in full body armor for the fight ahead to make me run like a mad person in search of a broom or another long-handled object that would let me reach them but not get close enough for them to fly (yes fly!) at me. The ones that search out for just the right moment when I’m not looking and try to sneak into my garage and make me wonder why I didn’t leave my daughter’s old baseball bat by the doorway to fend them off. Well not today my friend. I got a jump ahead and had the yard sprayed for pests, both crawling and flying to make sure no one gets through this barrier.
Just remember, preventative measures now will reduce the likelihood of insects and rodents from getting the best of you so you can spend your thoughts on better things like, “How long will Cercei be queen? Will Daenerys be the one to take her down? Or Jon? Ahhh, and I have to wait until summer 2017? Guess I’ll have time to sweep the perimeter of my home and make sure all entry points have been sealed and nothing gets inside in the meantime.