With the weather turning cooler, many creatures will try to move indoors where temperatures are nice and cozy. With some simple tools and a thorough inspection, you can help reduce the number of pests that enter your home this winter.
Inside your home, look around doors and windows during the day. If you see daylight, then there isn’t a good seal around the door and/ or window. Inspect the attic for holes that may have been chewed by rodents or other small mammals to access the structure. Also, make sure that all attic vents are covered with stainless steel screening to block animals from entering. Outside, the perimeter of the home should be inspected for cracks and crevices in the foundation. Look at pipe and wire penetrations into the structure to see if they should be sealed.
Common ways to exclude pests from your home:
Trim back trees and shrubs that touch or overhang the home
Seal pipe & wire penetrations with steel wool ,caulk or expanding foam
Replace weather stripping around doors and windows if there is not a good seal
Repair any window screens with holes
For homes with brick or stone facades, stuff weep holes with steel wool* or copper mesh
*steel wool will rust if it gets wet, so do not use on light colored façade
Inspect all furniture, boxes and bags for pests before carrying them into the home
Inspect all plants for insect pests before bringing them into the home
Do not store firewood inside the home or up against the outside walls
Use sheet metal, hardware cloth or steel wool to seal any areas where animals have chewed to enter the home**
**make sure animal is not in home or you’ll seal it inside!
For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas Cooperative Extension Program Specialist at 512.854.9600.
