"It is so nice to wake up to a spider clinging to your wall, eight inches from your face," said no Davenport homeowner, ever. Yet many of us put up with spiders, ants, flies, rodents, and a long list of other pests. Why do we allow our homes to become a Discover Channel wildlife documentary? Part of the reason is that we don't know how to keep them out. Davenport pests are resourceful! It can sometimes seem like they get inside by using magic. Well, we can assure you, there are no Harry Potters in the animal kingdom. Those pests get into your home by using some pretty mundane methods. Let's take a look at a few of the ways pests get in and why the fall is an important time to work hard to keep them out.
Not So Magical Pests
Like Houdini, pests have specialized abilities that we don't have. While Houdini mystifies us by his ability to escape, pests use these abilities to mystify us with their ability to get in.
Climbing — Many pests can scale walls and walk across ceilings, but probably more surprising is how mice and rats can scale walls and get to places you would never expect them to get to. If you put wire mesh in your downspouts, you can prevent rodents from climbing up to your vulnerable roofline. If you trim branches away from your roof, you can stop roof rats, squirrels, and other critters from getting onto your roof.
Size — Some of the pests that will get into your Davenport home are so small you can barely see them. German cockroach nymphs in their first instar are small enough to pass through the eye of an electrical outlet. Sealing gaps, cracks, and holes in your foundation wall and exterior walls will go a long way toward keeping tiny pests out. Inspect closely around doors, windows, pipes, wire conduit, and air conditioning units. And keep in mind that it doesn't take much of an opening for an ant or some other tiny pest to get in.
Chew — Some pests don't need entry points to get into your home. They create holes or they take smaller holes and turn them into larger holes. Mice, rats, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, termites, and a long list of other wood-damaging pests have the ability to bore through wood. These pests are attracted to wood that has been softened by moisture. You can reduce moisture and prevent the wood rot that moisture causes by making sure there are no conditions that promote dampness around your home, such as areas that are sunk down, gutters that are broken or clogged, areas where weeds have taken over, piles of leaves near the home, etc.
Fly — Some pests just zip right into your home through an open door and you probably don't find it surprising or magical that they've gotten into your home. But, what you might find magical is how one tiny fungus fly or fruit fly can turn into a swarm. This is because they can reproduce quickly in organic matter. The best way to keep flying pests out of your home is to make sure all of your screens are present and in good repair. But, for fruit flies and fungus flies, keep in mind that they hitchhike into your home. Fruit flies come in as eggs on fruits and some vegetables. Fungus flies can be carried into your home as eggs inside plant soil. If you bring potted plants inside for the winter, you could bring fungus flies in with them.
Fall Pest Prevention is Key
All of the prevention tips given below can be performed during the fall months:
- Protect your downspouts.
- Trim tree branches away from your roofline.
- Seal gaps, cracks, and holes.
- Address conditions that cause moisture
- Rake leaves up and away from your home.
- Make sure your screens are present and in good condition.
There are many fall pest threats. For assistance keeping pests out of your Davenport home, tips, advice, or help with an existing infestation, contact the professionals at Quik-Kill today.