Have a Pest Free Holiday

Have a Pest Free Holiday

Opening your home to your family and friends during the holiday season is something you look forward to every year. Unfortunately, uninvited guests can make their way into your home too. A variety of pests target homes during the winter season, and an infestation can put a serious damper on your holiday celebrations. That’s why it’s essential to know what pests are common in Georgia during the winter months and what you can do to keep them out of your home.

Know What Pests You Face This Holiday Season

The winter months bring cooler temperatures to communities throughout Georgia, and some of the pests that we all deal with during the summer months seem to disappear. However, other pests simply move to warmer areas during the cold months. More often than not, those warmer areas include homes and outbuildings.

Rats and mice are among the pests most commonly seen indoors during the winter months. Unfortunately, they’re not the only invaders that can enter your home. Other pests that seek out shelter during the winter include:

  • spiders
  • termites
  • roaches
  • bed bugs
  • silverfish

How Do Pests Enter Your Home?

No matter how new your home, it may still be vulnerable to pests. That’s because spiders, roaches, termites and rodents can enter through even the smallest gaps or holes in windows and doorways. They can also make their way into your home through cracks in foundations and walls. Some pests even gather immediately outside your home and tunnel into the ground around your foundation or hide out in firewood piles.

Keeping Your Home Pest Free for the Holidays

The best winter pest prevention efforts actually begin outside your home. Be sure to clear away any leaf piles, lawn trimmings and yard debris that might provide hiding places for pests. It’s also essential to keep your firewood pile away from your home. Inspect the ground around your home for leakage or drainage problems. Have any problems you notice fixed immediately.

Once you’ve completed an inspection of the outside of your home, take time to look for cracks in your home’s foundation and walls. Repairing or sealing these cracks is essential. Inspect window screens for rips or tears and patch them. Finally, be sure that the weatherproofing around your windows and doorways is in good condition and address any leaks that you find.

Of course, even the most diligent homeowners face pest infestations from time to time. If you’re dealing with roaches, rats, mice, spiders, termites or bed bugs this holiday season, it’s time to call in professional help. At Flexible Pest Services, we specialize in helping homeowners throughout Georgia eliminate pest infestations. Get in touch with us today to talk about how we can help with your pest problems.