Winter Critter Prevention Checklist

Cooler temperatures and shorter days means the critters of Texas will be looking for a warm place to stay during winter time.  With some proper preparation and exclusion work, you can avoid having unwanted guests during the holiday season.

1. Seal Entry Points

• Inspect Foundations: Check for cracks or gaps in your foundation and seal them with caulk or foam. Use copper mesh in weep holes, roofing gaps, or anywhere you’re trying to keep bugs out.
• Check Windows and Doors: Ensure all windows and doors close tightly; use weatherstripping or door sweeps if needed.  You can always add more and build it up slightly if you have big gaps to seal.  It’s also a bonus since it will help keep cold air out.
• Close Gaps: Look for gaps around pipes, vents, and cables entering your home. Seal with caulk or steel wool.  Remember that steel wool will rust within a few hours of moisture, so if it will be a visible area opt for stainless steel or another type of mesh or foam.
• Check Power/Cable Lines: Rats and squirrels can make their way from trees to your home by following the power lines to the roof.  Have them inspected periodically for gaps and cracks that may allow rodents into the attic.  Also check gable vents for proper mesh sealing and make sure there are no gaps in soffit vents, or soffits that are coming apart creating gaps.  Rats only need a gap the size of their head (3/4”) to fit their body through.

2. Maintain Your Yard

• Trim Vegetation: Cut back tree branches and shrubs that are close to the house, as they can provide pathways for critters.  Also look for broken or weak tree limbs that may fall during freezing weather.  A tree limb falling onto a roof means all the little varmints that live in that tree are on your roof now!
• Clear Debris: Remove piles of leaves, wood, or other debris that can harbor pests.  Blow or mow leaf piles so they do not provide shelter for bugs. 
• Keep Mulch Away: Maintain a distance between mulch and your foundation to reduce nesting spots.  Keep mulch light and avoid piling it higher than 4-6” so you don’t create moisture problems.
• Keep Firewood Away: Firewood should never be stored up against the house.  It should be at least 20-25 feet away to avoid all the wood destroying insects from infesting.  Even worse is when customers bring firewood into the living room for winter, bringing ants and termites along with it.  It is inconvenient but try to only bring in enough firewood for that day.

3. Store Food Properly

• Secure Pet Food: Store pet food in airtight containers and avoid leaving it out overnight.  I recommend customers keep pet food in hard plastic containers with strong lids year-round.  If you feed deer or other wild animals, it’s even more important to keep their food in super-sealed containers to keep raccoons and other scavengers from getting too close to your home.
• Seal Pantry Items: Use airtight containers for pantry staples and clean up spills promptly.
• Dispose of Waste: Keep outdoor trash cans tightly sealed and away from the house.

4. Create a Barrier

• Install Screens: Use fine mesh screens on vents and chimneys to prevent critters from entering.  Check the chimney flue to make sure it operates properly and will close all the way.  This helps keep cold air out and keep wild animals from entering.
• Check Gutters: Ensure gutters are clean and directing water away from your home to prevent moisture issues.  During ice storms gutters that are full of leaves and acorns will freeze and get really heavy and can let loose.  Ask me how I know!

5. Inspect and Maintain

• Regular Inspections: Routinely check your home for signs of pests, such as droppings or gnaw marks.  Use mesh around overhead garage doors since these doors usually do not seal very tightly.
• Check Storage Areas: Look in attics, basements, and garages for signs of pests or potential entry points.  Black lights are good for showing animal urine spots in those areas as well.  A cheap black light flashlight is a good tool to keep on hand.

6. Climate Control

• Adjust Temperature: Keep your home’s temperature consistent; extreme fluctuations can attract pests.
• Use Humidity Control: Use dehumidifiers in damp areas to reduce moisture levels, which can attract pests.

7. Educate Household Members

• Awareness Training: Teach family members to report any signs of pests or potential entry points immediately.  The colder it gets the more animals and pests will try to get inside.

8. Consider Professional Help

• Pest Inspection: If you suspect a significant pest issue, consider hiring a pest control professional for a thorough inspection and treatment plan.  You can also be proactive and have an inspection done before winter time, like you would with a heater check-up before the weather gets cold.

By following this checklist, you can significantly reduce the chances of winter critters finding their way into your home. Regular maintenance and vigilance are key to keeping pests at bay!  As always, give us a call if you need your house inspected.