Small cracks and drafts create an easy entry point for pests and wildlife. Pests are so much smarter than we think. We rarely give them credit for entering our homes so silently. We place traps in plain sight or spray where we think bees are hanging around our outdoor living space. But pests are smarter than that and often come in under the radar and enter through a small draft.
Coming in out of the cold
Just like humans, pests, and wildlife want to live out the winter months in a warm environment with access to food, water, and shelter. These winter house guests include:
- Squirrels
- Raccoons
- Rodents
- Roaches
- Cluster flies
- Stink bugs
- Bats
You may never see any of these pests enter your home, but you will hear them above your head in the attic, and you will find droppings in your basement, kitchen, and garage. Many of our customers in Schenectady, Saratoga, Albany, and the Capital Region live in established neighborhoods where the homes are over 25 years old. Older homes settle, and cracks in foundations and walls can be an easy entry point for a variety of pests. Sometimes the damage is not apparent, and the homeowner does not know they have a pest control issue until signs of an infestation are in clear view.
Ants in the house on the baseboards and wall
Tips to keep pests out of your home
We have talked about surveying your home and the importance of looking closely for areas where pests can gain easy entry.
- Make sure crawl spaces are sealed.
- Install screen windows and doors and regularly check for tears in the screens.
- Seal your windows using caulk when necessary.
- Install weather strips on every outside access door.
- Check pipes, roof pipes, dryer vents, and other access points for cracks or gaps in the closure.
- Keep your kitchen and areas where the family eats or snacks clean and free of food debris.
If you can see the light or feel a draft, pests, and rodents will be able to enter through it. Be vigilant and spend the time to inspect your home while outdoors, in the basement, or attic.
Common rodent entry points
Damage to your home’s infrastructure
With the cold nights becoming more common, pests and nuisance wildlife are entering our homes. Often, one pest blazes a trail through a window, insulation, or torn weatherstripping, and a host of others will use that entry point to gain access into your home. Damages occur hidden from view, and an infestation can happen in the blink of an eye. Some damage can be harmful or dangerous to your family.
- Electrical damage. Rodents, squirrels, and chipmunks are notorious for chewing wires; they chew through the plastic coating exposing the wire. The exposed wire can cause damage, up to and including fire. We had a customer who has squirrels chew through the phone lines and took out her phone!
- Insulation. Insulation provides nesting for many winter attic dwellers. The insulation can become laden with feces, urine, and other droppings. Excessive amounts of droppings and feces create an unhealthy environment for your family and pets such as asthma, illness, and other sicknesses associated with exposure to feces and guano.
- Wood damage. Destruction of roofing, soffits, and venting from mice, squirrels, and bats looking to gain access to the inside of your home. Drywall damages from leaks or wet/damp basements are a breeding ground for carpenter ants and termites.
We can help.
Our technicians are trained in pest removal and clean up. Please do not attempt infestation cleanup on your own, especially where there are signs of activity such as bees, wasps, and rodents. Your safety comes first.
So, who is in your attic, basement, or garage? Schedule a free inspection, and we will look around. It’ll be ok, we promise. We will return your home to a safe and healthy environment for you and your family.
