Any licensed pest professional will tell you that it is far cheaper to prevent an initial pest infestation than it is to remove an active one. Once in your home, bugs and rodents can become anchored. They find food sources, nest in your walls and tight spaces and reproduce quickly.
As temperatures drop with the seasonal change to autumn and later winter, it is incredibly advantageous for these creatures to have access to the warmth and sustenance your home can provide. Having an Orkin Pro examine your home for potential weak points is something any homeowner should consider. They have the training and know-how to identify points of entry and suggest solutions to maintain the integrity of your home.
Fall pest prevention starts with keeping pests out
Falling temperatures always force rodents and
bugs to seek out more comfortable accommodations. They're small, can fit through tiny openings and can hide their presence for a surprisingly long time, even if you're paying close attention. While you can survey your home for vulnerabilities yourself, having an Orkin Pro inspect your home's exterior for potential gaps can save you a lot of aggravation. According to the CDC, mice can squeeze through an opening the size of a pencil eraser (1/4 of an inch), which can be tough to spot on your own.
To highlight the importance of prevention over treatment, we contacted Dr. Shannon Sked, Orkin's National Technical Director. He had this to say: "By the time you see a pest, there may already be more activity happening out of sight. Many pests spend much of their time hidden in wall voids, crawl spaces, attics or other areas homeowners rarely inspect."
How pest pressures change with the seasons
"Fall is a transition period," Dr. Sked continued. "Rodents may look for protected nesting sites, while stink bugs, boxelder bugs and ladybugs can gather on homes before finding sheltered places to overwinter."
During the summer months, temperatures make it easier to survive with minimal shelter, while an abundance of foliage provides more visual protection from predators. Given how quickly many pests can reproduce, it's always best to maintain proper barriers around your home to prevent their intrusion.
Why recurring pest control is the best way to keep pests at bay, year-round
Many of the services Orkin provides are aimed at preventing an infestation from ever beginning. The most common pests affecting homes in the fall have fast reproduction rates, with mice able to have up to 10 litters per year and up to six pups per litter. Similarly, rats can produce up to six litters each year.
Pests are present in and around your yard or in nature all year long, but changing weather patterns make more sheltered nesting locations necessary. Just as they do in the wild, they will try to conceal their presence once they've entered your home. You wouldn't easily spot a single mating pair of mice, but this minor inconvenience can quickly spiral once they have discovered a food source and safe nesting area in your walls or crawlspace.
Pest control isn't one-size-fits-all
No two home-and-yard combos are exactly alike. As a result, all homes will require their own unique pest control strategies, which a Pro can assist you with. Courses of action will vary, with Orkin offering the following solutions:
- Moisture Control: Orkin's DryZone Service can effectively help to prevent moisture and mold in your crawlspaces or tighter areas of your home. If you notice a musty smell, you may require more costly mold remediation services.
- Attic Insulation: Orkin offers a couple of different insulation solutions to suit a range of homeowner needs. These include installing a heat barrier, OrkinTherm insulation and standard rolled batting, depending on your home configuration and needs.
- Leaf Stopper: Orkin's proprietary gutter guard offering, Leaf Stopper, keeps your gutters clear of clogs and standing water, which in turn helps to eliminate sources of mold and keeps bugs and pests away from your fascia and soffits.
These measures can stop your pest-related problems before they start. Dr. Sked states, "Exclusion prevents pest access to the interior spaces and therefore should always be considered the first line of defense against pests. Sealing cracks and gaps around doors, windows and foundations, repairing worn door seals and addressing other exterior openings can eliminate pathways pests may use as conditions change."
Seeing one pest may be a sign to look deeper
Once you've spotted a single mouse or cockroach in your home, it is best to assume that there are more hiding in dark spaces within your walls, kitchen pantry, attic or under your furniture. Along with the already-mentioned breeding frequency of mice and rats, each female cockroach can lay up to 240 eggs in its lifetime.
While you might get lucky and may actually be seeing the only mouse or cockroach that has infiltrated your home, it is never a safe assumption. Orkin Pros have the training and experience to effectively diagnose your pest problem while offering actionable solutions to prevent future infestations.
Pest problems often start where homeowners aren't looking
When fall rolls around, you should try to be sure that you've done everything you can to minimize pests' hiding spots near your home. Raking leaf piles away from your house, while trimming back thicker foliage around your siding decreases your chances of a rodent or colony of insects cohabitating with you over the winter months.
While you can absolutely conduct DIY checks around your home, relying on a licensed professional is always a safer option. The experience Orkin provides is among the best in the pest control industry, and goes far beyond what the average homeowner can do for both prevention and elimination.
Dr. Sked had this to say about trying to control pest infestations after they've taken root, "Recent scientific research has shown that most DIY products unfortunately have very low levels of efficacy. Worse, many of the DIY products could promote resistance to products in pest populations since they do not eliminate the problem initially."
The first line of defense starts with keeping pests out
Fall is almost a universal "prep season" for homeowners when it comes to pest control. Orkin offers effective barriers to rodent or insect entry, with strategies designed to impede the progress of:
- Mice
- Rats
- Cockroaches
- Spiders
- Boxelder bugs and ladybugs
- Stink bugs
Deals and promotions with Orkin
Right now, Orkin is offering a free home inspection and $100 off of OrkinShield, the brand's metal barrier that closes gaps between the foundation and siding of homes. Use the promo code SHIELD100.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why fall pest prevention from Orkin is an obvious choice for homeowners
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