Introduction
Cold weather brings everyone indoors. It’s comforting to sit cozily in your living room with furry slippers and a blanket wrapped around your feet UNTIL a rat scurries across the floor! As a homeowner, this statement can be your worst nightmare and plausible trigger to look for pest control and prevention methods and services in Tacoma, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Lacey, Lakewood, Olympia, Auburn, Puyallup, and University Place, WA.
So, if you’ve been looking for DIY pest control to save time and money, continue reading as this guide explores all that and more.
Why Pest-Proof for Winter?
Cold weather brings family closer as you and your loved ones enjoy the warmth and comfort of your home. But, tread carefully, as you may not be the only one. Pests such as rats, mice, cockroaches, bugs, beetles, and spiders need shelter during the winter to thrive and survive and can infest your property for that much-needed snugness.
Once they’re in, these pests can pose serious hazards to both homes and people, which is why you need proper pest control servicing in Federal Way, Tacoma Gig Harbor, Lacey, Lakewood, Olympia, Auburn, Puyallup, and University Place, WA.
When assembling their nests, rodents chew on electrical wires and drywall and pass on infections and diseases like Hantavirus and salmonella. Spiders, as we already know, have poison glands and can be extremely unsafe for humans and pets.
Also, cockroaches can pollute food, leave droppings around the property, and trigger allergic asthma, especially in little ones. Before the chilly days set in, it’s best to pest-proof your adorable place in Washington with the help of a professional or some DIY hacks mentioned below.
DIY Pest-Proofing Tips
1- Identify the threat
The first step for a functional and practical pest control process in Tacoma, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, and Lacey, WA, is learning about the most common pests in your area and what kind of damage or threat they can cause. Pest infestation varies by location, and different methods and techniques are required for each.
2- Maintain cleanliness
A clean and well-maintained house is much less hospitable and welcoming for pests. Routinely ensure all dishes are washed, and there are no remaining food scraps in the sink. Also, drain dirty dishwater after each use and keep your countertops spotless and unsoiled for effective pest control in Tacoma, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Lacey, Lakewood, Olympia, Auburn, Puyallup, and University Place, WA.
3- Seal them out
It goes without saying, but pests can’t enter your home unless they can find a way in. Top pest control specialists in University Place, Auburn, Tacoma, Lakewood, Gig Harbor, Federal Way, Lacey, Olympia, and Puyallup, WA, recommend inspecting your outdoor areas with wood, steel, or caulk to seal any possible entry points. Ensure you check the foundations of your property and any doors, windows, utility pipes, wires, and cables, and repair fill any holes, gaps, chips, or cracks.
4- Make your home unattractive to pests
The three leading causes of pest infestation are food, shelter, and water. If you remove these three attractants from your property, they will have no reason to come in. Maintain proper neatness and fix any leaky pipes or faucets(both interior and exterior) for successful pest control and prevention in Federal Way, Lacey, Olympia, and Puyallup, WA. Getting rid of junk, not leaving pet bowls out overnight, and replacing your cardboard boxes are some other measures to make your home less attractive for a pest infestation.
5- Keep it dry
As pests are attracted to moisture and basements, attics, and crawl spaces, keeping your home dry and well-ventilated will avoid attracting any pests or rodents. You can also use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture and dampness.
6- Use specific plants and herbs to repel pests.
Expert pest control companies suggest using certain plants like Spearmint, Rosemary, and Lavender as potent pest control remedies in University Place, Auburn, Tacoma, Lakewood, and Gig Harbor, WA.
Some examples are,
- Venus flytrap for all insects.
- Spearmint for beetles, ants, fleas, moths, mice, and rats.
- Rosemary for mosquitoes, snails, slugs, and roaches.
- Catnip for ants, roaches, and weevils.
- Lavender for ants, fleas, flies, and moths.
- Lemongrass for lice, fleas, ants, and ticks.
- Chrysanthemum for ticks, fleas, bed bugs, roaches, and ants.
- Pitcher plants for bees, flies, and wasps.
- Basil for beetles, mosquitoes, and flies.
7- Lastly, consult professionals if needed:
Sometimes, a pest infestation in Lakewood, Olympia, Auburn, Puyallup, and University Place, WA, is way beyond the scope of DIY pest control methods. In such situations, it’s best to schedule a consultation with a reputed and credible pest control service in Washington like Long Pest Control, who can properly pinpoint the kind of infestation you’re dealing with and provide appropriate treatment, as well as ongoing prevention tactics you can use later on.
Pest Prevention in Your Home
Even if you keep the outside of your property clean, rats and mice will still find their way into your home and especially the kitchen. For this reason, keeping your house tidy can help keep rodents from taking up residence. Here are a few areas to focus on to ensure prime pest control and prevention in Tacoma, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Lacey, Lakewood, Olympia, Auburn, Puyallup, and University Place, WA.
- Clean up any food spills as soon as they happen
- Pick up and scrub off areas that tend to attract clutter, as they’re perfect for nesting.
- Keep your home free from piles of junk, newspapers, and magazines
- Rodents thrive in piles of clothes, so avoid storing laundry for too long.
- Clean around gadgets and appliances with a damp cloth
- Disinfect tables and kitchen countertops
- Wipe down the insides of your cabinets and cupboards regularly.
Conclusion
The best way to protect your property and prevent any pest infestation during the colder weather is to follow these pest-proofing tips in the fall when the temperature drops. However, if you notice an infestation and are scared that the stage is already set for disaster, then contacting a reliable, trustworthy professional like Long Pest Control is the only perfect solution.
Our classic Quarterly preventative pest control in Tacoma, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Lacey, Lakewood, Olympia, Auburn, Puyallup, and University Place, WA, eliminates current pest problems in the initial session. We then focus on keeping insects and rodents at bay by servicing your property on a 90-day frequency before they can become a problem again.
We use the best equipment and products and offer a FREE re-service guarantee that fully backs your service. Thirty days after the initial service, if you realize you’re still living with an excessive amount of pest problems, call us, and we’ll process a return at no charge to gain control of the ‘covered pests’ in and around your home.
Schedule an appointment with our team today for more details about the process above if you’ve been considering pest control services in Washington.
