It’s that time of year again! When the rains start to fall, homeowners of the Pacific NW know that winter is coming. Maybe you’ve raked the leaves off the front lawn, and maybe you’ve put up the storm windows for the season–but have you prepared your outdoor space against pests? Here at Antworks, we know an ounce of prevention can save a pound of work–and potentially hundreds of dollars. Here are some of our favorite tips for preparing your yard for a pest free winter!
Why Worry About Pests in the Winter?
We know–a lot of people are shrugging their shoulders, thinking “Why worry? My house feels safe from pests.” We get it! Prevention seems like useless work–but what if I told you that your preventative steps today could save you a lot of trouble in the spring?
In the autumn and into winter, pests are frantic to find places to hide for the winter. They will do anything to gain access to a warm hiding place–especially if that safety also offers them food or water! Insects are particularly attracted to the moisture-related areas of our homes. It’s important to keep all moisture to an absolute minimum–but the Pacific NW doesn’t make that easy!
5 Ways to Prevents Pests in Your Yard
- Make sure your crawl space has sufficiently dried out over the warm months. Check for holes, water damage, or leaky pipes!
- Rodents are looking for any way into your home. It’s very important to make sure all holes have been repaired!
- Termites and carpenter ants are also looking for access–specifically through damp wood.
- Keep rain gutters, downspouts, etc. clear of leaves and debris. If your gutters get clogged, they can cause all kinds of water damage and moisture problems–some that you might even be aware of! Gutter can affect attics and crawl spaces in particular, attracting insects and rodents.
- Fall debris in your yard can provide shelter to pests in the ground. Keep fall debris to a minimum, and make sure any stray or abandoned objects are picked up before winter!
- Make sure any decking, connected to your house, has sufficient ventilation underneath.
- Make sure rain water can’t pool anywhere, whether in buckets, old tires, or even holes or ditches along your yard. Proper drainage is an important step in the fight against pests!
Prevent Pests Now for an Insect-Free Spring
Here’s the real concern with all of this talk about winter: pests that nest in your home in the winter, are not going to leave in the spring. They’re going to breed. The small pest problem you had in autumn, that “disappeared” during winter, is going to become a full-blown infestation in spring! Box-elder bugs are particularly adept at this form of infestation, as are rodents.
If you’re worried about pests, or you’ve had problems with them in the past, you may want to consult with a professional exterminator. Here at Antworks, we believe in giving you the advice and help you need to protect your home from pests of all kinds. Give us a call today!
