Fall Pest Control Tips for North Carolina Homes
As summer transitions to fall, North Carolina experiences cooler temperatures. This shift in climate causes changes in the behavior of local animal and insect species, which can prove problematic for homeowners in the state. Many pests, from spiders to mice, seek shelter during fall - a search which often drives them to invade our homes in large numbers.
If a household pest infestation begins in fall, it's likely to spread through your home and persist all winter long. To prevent having to deal with such unpleasant circumstances, follow these fall pest control tips for your home in North Carolina.
Top 3 Tips to Keep Your Raleigh Home Pest-Free This Fall
Pest-Proof Your Home Exterior
It's much easier to keep pests out of your home in fall than it is to remove an established pest infestation. In late summer, inspect the perimeter of your home for common pest entry points, such as cracks around windows and doors, gaps near utility openings, and vents without a proper cover. Remember that if there's a gap large enough for you to push a pencil through, it's big enough for spiders, boxelder bugs, and even small mice to get in. Use pest-proof materials like weatherstripping, caulk, and mesh to close off pest entry points before fall infestations can begin.
Remove Attractants from the Yard
In many cases, fall pest infestations in North Carolina begin in the yard before later moving into the home. Fallen leaves and branches create cover that pests like spiders will be attracted to. Raking frequently and completing an extensive fall yard clean-up will make your property less appealing to pests, reducing the risk that they'll eventually end up inside your house. Be careful where you store your firewood as well. Many pests, including rodents, see firewood piles as a nice, sheltered spot to nest. Store firewood piles away from your home and preferably raised off the ground to prevent pests from being enticed to enter your home.
Keep Your Home Clean
While even the cleanest home can suffer unexpected pest issues, dirtier homes are more likely to be infested. Many household pests found in the Raleigh area are attracted to cluttered spaces, as well as any moisture or scraps of food they can forage on. It's particularly important to clean your kitchen on a regular schedule; rodents, cockroaches, and ants are more likely to invade your home if there are crumbs on the floors and dirty dishes in the sink. Decluttering your home can also reduce the risk of fall-time infestations of spiders.
Why Fall is Prime Time for Spider Infestations in Raleigh Homes
Spiders are some of the most common pests in Raleigh homes during the fall months. There are a few reasons that spiders are most likely to become a problem in your house in fall:
Fall is spider mating season in North Carolina. Most spiders spend spring and summer growing quietly in hidden areas, before seeking mates in early fall. This is why you suddenly see many more spiders wandering across floors and crawling up walls in September and October.
As nights get cooler during fall in Raleigh, insects start moving indoors - and spiders follow their prey. If you begin to notice larger numbers of ants, flies, mosquitoes or moths in your home, be warned that a spider infestation may soon follow.
Many local spider species look for safe, sheltered places to overwinter. Our homes provide warmth, stable humidity, and steady insect activity, making them perfect spaces for spiders to survive until spring.
Schedule Professional Fall Pest Control in North Carolina
The best way to keep your home free of spiders and other pests this fall is by working with an experienced local pest control company. Contact Sustainable Pest Systems today if you're in need of professional pest control services in the greater Raleigh area!