Pest Control Services

Idaho is home to a variety of different spiders. Some of these spiders are venomous, while others are harmless and just like to crawl in our homes and backyards. Here are some examples of the different types of spiders that live in Idaho.

Cat-face Spiders

These spiders are named for their oddly shaped bodies. They are commonly found in gardens and in shaded home areas like porches and eaves. They can grow to be about the size of a half-dollar and are not dangerous to humans.

Black Widow

The black widow spider is known for being venomous and for weaving cobwebs to intentionally entangle its prey. These spiders normally make their homes in garages, barns and woodpiles. They usually do not make their nests in areas that are busy with humans. Female black widows can grow up one and a half inches in length, in which the males are much smaller. A female black widow bite can cause cramping, difficulty breathing, partial paralysis, nausea, headache and fever in humans. If you get bitten by a black widow spider, you should go to the hospital right away.

Jumping Spider

These spiders are commonly found in gardens, walls and fences. They are named for their amazing ability to leap long distances and attack their unsuspecting prey. They don’t pose a threat to humans and they only grow to become about half an inch.

Hobo Spider

The hobo spider is an aggressive house spider that is commonly found in Idaho. They tend to make their webs at the ground level and hide in dark corners. They attack when their prey gets stuck in their webs. These spiders are venomous and can cause some health issues for humans. Their bites can cause major blisters and can even cause enough tissue damage to require a skin graft.

When preparing for the future, you may accumulate a large stockpile of food. Extra nonperishable foods are great to have on hand in case you are unable to get out to the store or in the case of an emergency. This type of stockpile can take a while to create and it needs to stay protected. Unfortunately, it can also be an attractive location for pests that will think they struck the jackpot. Taking precautions now will help to ensure that your large stockpile of food is there in case you need it. Here’s how to get that done.

Pest-Proofing Your Stockpile Area

Protecting the room that houses your stockpile is your first line of defense:

• Seal the Room.

First, examine the room where you plan on keeping your large stockpile of food. Look for cracks and holes where pests would be able to get in. A professional can examine these areas for you to make sure that you found all of them. They can also help seal the areas. Properly sealing the room is the most effective way to keep pests out.

• Waterproof the Walls.

Sources of water need to be eliminated as well. Pests need a water source to survive. Inspect your pipes to make sure they are not leaking and plug your drains when you are not using them. Walls and pipes should be insulated to avoid condensation and humidity. If you are storing your stockpile underground, a coat of waterproof paint will help with this problem.

• Set traps.

Even with your best efforts, pests may still find a way in. By setting up traps, you will be able to confirm the type of pest that is being problematic. You can then contact a professional to help you get rid of them.

When it comes to pests, termites are the most destructive. They cause billions of dollars of damage to homes, commercial properties, and historical structures every year. It's important to protect your home from these creatures before they cost you serious money. Understanding termites and knowing how to identify them are crucial in protecting your home.

Colony structure

The termite colony is made up of the queen, soldiers, and workers

- The queen.

Termites are dangerous and reproduce very quickly. The queen can lay more than 2000 eggs per day and live to age 25. Because of this, it's very important that any pest control measures reach the queen.

- The soldiers.

<p>Thousands of restaurants undergo health inspections every year to ensure they are free of pests. Typically, 20 percent of the health inspection focuses on pest control. To make sure you get a good result on your health inspection, keep an eye out for these three common restaurant pests.</p>

<h3><strong>Rodents</strong></h3>

<p>Most rodents, such as mice and rats, are a terrible pest to have in any building, but especially your restaurant. Regardless of what food you have in your kitchens, rodents will be your number one returning customer. Your restaurant is like an all-you-can-eat buffet for these pests.</p>

<p>They can wreak havoc in your pantries or storage space. Because of their sharp teeth, mice and rats often gnaw through bags and boxes. In addition to destroying your storage containers and the walls in your restaurant, rodents also carry many different diseases.</p>

<p>It is because of these pests that many restaurants across the country are closed each year. Keep an eye out for and take preventative measures to prevent rodent infestations.</p>

There is no mistaking that people love animals. Domesticated animals make wonderful pets, but animals that live in the wild can pose a problem. Even though wildlife may look cute and cuddly as they scamper in your backyard, they can be quite dangerous to humans. Keep reading to learn about why dealing with wildlife can be dangerous.

Diseases

Often animals who live out in the wild carry diseases that can be harmful and even deadly to humans. Unfortunately, animals who are afflicted with these diseases generally have no outward signs of them. People can easily catch diseases like rabies, plague and Lyme disease if they are scratched or bitten by wild animals who carry them or if they come into contact with the droppings of these animals.

Potential for Physical Injury

Wild animals are unpredictable. They are skittish and it is nearly impossible to guess what their next move will be. Further, they are easily startled by loud and unusual noises or smells. If you are near a wild animal when they are frightened, they can easily jump toward you or even charge at you, putting you in an extremely vulnerable position. An animal in this state will likely have its claws bared and will not hesitate to scratch or bite anything or anyone it considers to be a danger. Wild animals can travel far distances in a short period of time, and if you are in its way, there is a good chance that you will get hurt.

Despite the seemingly adorable nature of wild animals, people need to know to leave them alone. Wild animals know how to survive and thrive in their own environment and will normally view people who encounter them as threats and then act accordingly. It is impossible for the average person who is not well-versed in the behaviors of wild animals to anticipate how an animal will act, and can easily inadvertently put him or herself in danger inadvertently. If you come across a wild animal that is acting strangely, call a professional to take care of the situation. That way you can sleep easily knowing that you did what was best for both you and the animal.

For more information regarding why dealing with wildlife in Idaho can be dangerous, contact Pest Control Services today. 

Locusts, or grasshoppers, can cause havoc on outdoor crops. Voracious eaters, locusts can also fly, which makes their range of destruction that much more.

Locusts and grasshoppers are especially active in the summer season. When you are getting ready to harvest your summer or fall crops, you will want them to be safe from locusts.

The first thing you can do when dealing with locusts is to call an experienced pest control company. Our team will have experience with ridding locusts from your crops.

Things To Do To Prevent Locusts

One of the best things that you can do to prevent locusts is to till the soil. Females lay their eggs on the ground. By regularly tilling it, you are killing the eggs so they will not be able to reproduce.

Around September, till the ground. This discourages them, and they will find somewhere else to nest. Tilling the soil also has bonuses: it turns the grass, and the other ground cover will compost.

Many homeowners have yards that are at least as big as their houses. This is great for barbeques, however, it can become problematic when you’re trying to keep pests away from your property. If pests take over your lawn, it’s only a matter of time before they make their way into your house. Pest control starts where your property begins, which means that pest control is just as important in your yard as in your house. Here are some ways to keep your yard free of pests.

Mow Your Lawn

Mowing your lawn is important for a number of reasons, one of which is eliminating hiding places for pests. Pests love making their homes in tall, overgrown grass, as it allows them to keep out of sight of predators, plus the thick grass traps moisture that they use to hydrate themselves. Remember, when you mow your lawn, toss the grass in a garbage bag and seal it up tight so that the bugs won’t be able to escape from the trash can and get inside your house.

Take Care of Your Grass

Aside from keeping your grass short, it’s also important to keep it healthy. When grass is healthy, it creates natural pest deterrents on its own. However, dead or dying grass won’t produce these deterrents, allowing pests to crawl through it unhindered. Keep your grass healthy by spreading fertilizer around your yard, and watering it frequently (although not so much as to create puddles). Also, try to aerate your lawn from time to time so that oxygen can reach the roots of your grass.  

Use Lawn Treatments

Finally, lawn treatments are an important part of keeping your yard pest free. However, you should be careful to select lawn treatments that are safe to use on grass and will only kill harmful pests like billbugs and mosquitoes, while leaving helpful earthworms alive. When using lawn treatments, don’t use more than the recommended amount, put warning signs out on your lawn and keep it away from pets and children. When lawn treatments are used properly, they can do wonders for your yard.

Pest control requires the defense of every part of your property, from your attic to your garage to your lawn. If one part of your property is susceptible to pests, that’s all it takes for an infestation to spread. Luckily, pest proofing your yard can be done in just a few easy steps. For more information, or to receive quality pest control services, contact us today.

Did you know that some rodents hibernate during the winter? People who deal with rodent problems often wonder why these pests are so quick to come back during the warmer months, and that is most likely due to their hibernation schedules.

Here are a few facts about rodent hibernation.

1. There are several different kinds of rodents that hibernate

Chipmunks, squirrels, prairie dogs, and certain kinds of mice hibernate. You might be wondering why you see some of these rodents running around your yard during the winter, and that's because they do emerge on warmer days to find food.

They cannot hibernate for six months without an energy source because they are such small animals. They come out of hibernation to eat a few meals and then go right back down to their burrow.

2. Rodents can hibernate in your yard

There are several places in your yard that may be perfect for rodent hibernation. Under your porch, behind your shed, in your garden...it all depends on the setup of your yard.

The term “lice” typically makes us cringe a bit when hearing it. Most everyone understands that with lice comes a lot of itching. However, lice can become a serious long-term problem if not treated properly. One common misconception is that lice can only be found in the hair. There are three types of lice: head lice, body lice and pubic lice. All three can be spread to other people or objects through contact, so any sort of lice issue should be taken seriously. Let’s look at some of the best ways you can get rid of the lice in your life.

Prescription Solutions

Oftentimes, people choose to use a home remedy or quick over-the-counter medication to rid themselves or their children of lice. While some are effective (we will get to those in a bit), a 2014 survey from Sanofi Pasteur shows that people will likely be more satisfied with prescription medication by about 12 percent. While some minor side effects may occur, such as dandruff, you will more likely find a prescription medication for lice more effective than any other solution.

Pyrethrum

Normal shampoo is not recommended for trying to get rid of lice, wherever it is on your body. Instead, use a product that includes pyrethrum in its ingredients. The insecticides in pyrethrum are all-natural and will kill off the lice it comes into contact with. Products that include this are Rid, Pronto and A-200. Many of these products are available over-the-counter at any drug store.

Olive Oil

One of the best solutions on the home remedy side is olive oil. The thick liquid is supposed to fill itself into the breathing holes of the lice, suffocating them to death. However, it is important to note that you will need to wear a tight piece of disposable headwear. Lice can go long periods without breathing, so keeping them suffocated is key to eliminating them. Other thick mixtures are said to work as well, such as hair gel or petroleum jelly.

Wet-Combing

If medication and messy liquids are not going to work for you, the best way to go is wet-combing. The process is exactly as the name implies. You will need a fine-toothed comb and conditioner for this to work. Simply disperse the conditioner onto the areas where you have lice and pluck through the hair with your comb. Lice are small and can be a nuisance to remove, so take your time and maintain patience with this method.

The National Pest Management Association conducted a study that they declared bed bugs the No. 1 pest in America. These little critters have been a problem for centuries. Sayings like “Hit the hay” or “Hit the sack” come from the Middle Ages back when mattresses were filled with hay. People would hit their hay mattresses to get rid of any bugs nesting inside.

What are bed bugs?

Adult bed bugs are very small, about the size of an apple seed. They are brown and shaped like an oval with six legs. If they have not fed on human or animal blood recently, their bodies are long and flat. They are smelly, with a sweet and musty odor. Bed bug eggs are very small, reaching the size of a sewing pin head. One female bed bug can lay 200 to 250 eggs in her lifetime. Under normal circumstances, bed bugs can live about two to four months.

Where do they live?

Now that you know what bed bugs and their eggs look like, here are common places they like to hide. Naturally, bed bugs are most often found in bedding. More specifically, they tend to choose mattress seams and sheets. If the infestation is extensive, bed bugs live between chairs, couches and curtains. They are also in outlets, under loose wallpaper and behind picture frames.

What are common signs of an infestation?

Bed bugs leave red or rust-colored spots on sheets and mattresses. Pin-sized dark spots, which is their excrement, can also be found on sheets and furniture. Small, white bed bug eggs are a sure sign of an infestation.

How are they exterminated?

As you may have already guessed from their size, bed bugs are very difficult to eradicate. If the infestation is not major, gather your infested belongings like sheets, clothes and blankets and put them through the dryer at the hottest temperature possible for about 60 minutes. The best course of action is to call a professional. These employees are trained to identify and exterminate bed bugs and other pests. Contact Pest Control Services Inc. today for more information on how your home can be pest free.

Keep an eye out for your pets this fall and winter by taking steps to avoid pests.  Help protect them from dangerous pests, and help your whole family be happy. These tips list some ways to avoid pests for your pets.

Outdoor Pests

After long walks or hikes, carefully inspect your pet for fleas. If a flea is found, then slowly remove it so as to not leave the mouth parts. Use forceps or tweezers, put it in tissue, and flush it down the toilet. Wash your hands after as well as  the affected area with soap and water. Be sure to talk to your vet about other ways to protect your pet from pests.

Maintain your home by cutting grass low so ticks don’t get in. Clear any debris or woodpiles. Be sure to ask our professionals about lawn tick treatment in order to keep your pets safe.

Protection from Pests

Store food and treats in airtight containers to deter pests as well as your human food in separate containers.. Making sure your pet’s food supply is clean and pest free is the first step you can take to protect them. Storing all food this way prevents an insect or rodent infestation from happening. Also, check unrefrigerated fruits and vegetables for spots to help prevent fruit flies from multiplying. Throw away or compost any that have signs of pests. Consider storing them in an enclosed space or refrigerator.

Applying a mixture of sugar and baking soda to the baseboards of the house helps to deter ants, termites, and roaches. Use citrus oil to deter insects. Spray it around doors, windows, and anywhere else bugs can get in.

Mice are extremely harmful pests that you want to keep as far away from your house as possible. Mice can destroy property, chew on electrical wires, create unpleasant odors, and worst of all, spread diseases such as salmonella and hantavirus. If you have a mice infestation, you can try to deal with the problem on your own, but it’s usually better to have professionals handle them for you. Here are some ways to know whether or not you have a rodent problem, how to keep them at bay, and why you should contact pest control experts to address them.

Identify the Problem

Before you do anything, you should first confirm that you do in fact have mice in your house. The most obvious way to confirm that you have a mice infestation is to search your home for mice. A single mouse sighting once or twice a year doesn't necessary mean you have a problem, however, any more than that and you should be suspicious. Aside from seeing the mice themselves, there are other ways to know if you have an infestation, such as rodent droppings around your carpet, scratched up furniture, and squeaking sounds coming from your walls, as these are all telltale signs.

How to Eliminate Then?

Rodents are difficult to get rid of once they’re in your house, but there are steps you can take to try and handle them on your own. Poisons are dangerous, sticky traps are clumsy, and cats are ineffective, however, CO2 powered, self-resetting rodent traps can be useful if you place them in strategic locations. Also, you’re going to want to seal up any cracks and your house with caulk and close any openings to prevent more from coming in. Still though, success is not guaranteed.

Why You Should Call a Professional

If you have a mice infestation, your best bet is to call pest control professionals to take care of them. Pest control specialists are well-trained and are able to get to the root of your rodent problems. Instead of just killing a few of them, only to have them get replaced by more, pest control experts with eliminate all of them and make sure they don’t come back.

Mice can be cute little creatures, and even pets, but only when they’re in a cage, not your walls. If you have a mice problem, you need to have it dealt with as soon as possible. For more information, or to receive quality pest control services, contact us today.

When you notice you have a pest issue in your home, your life can become pretty stressful. You have to decide if you want to try to self-treat your home or to hire professionals.

Many frugal individuals nowadays love the DIY aspects of home life. Due to its popularity, it is easy to find blogs or advice on how to self-treat your home from pests.

These techniques are not guaranteed, and they more than likely will do more harm than good.

Why Hire A Pest Control Service

Hiring a pest control is the best decision you will make if you have a pest issue, and here’s why:

• Professional companies provide technicians that are specifically trained to treat pests. Their knowledge will ensure your home will be treated and remain pest-free.

• You save more money by hiring a service than you do with DIY methods. Most DIY methods don’t work, and leave you buying more and more supplies that add up to a hefty cost. Although pest control companies do require a fee, their treatment is cheaper and more effective. Additionally, since they eliminate the problem quickly, you can avoid thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to your home.

• You are safer hiring a company than doing it yourself. Some pests are incredibly dangerous, and if you use a wrong elimination method, you can suffer deadly consequences.Many pests carry diseases, and if you wait for your DIY treatments to work, you can be exposed to these diseases. Furthermore, most companies use green products, which is safer to use.Harsh chemicals that you can buy at a hardware store can be harmful to your family and pets. 

• You can set up a personal plan with the pest control company. This means they can come to your house for routine visits and preventative treatments. They also work around your schedule so you don’t have to take time off.

Contact Pest Control Service, Inc.

Pest Control Service, Inc. does all that and more. For 45 years, they have worked hard to provide professional service and respect to their customers. They give back to the community through various community service projects, which has helped them to grow into a business that services multi-acre commercial accounts.

Bed bugs, once considered a pest of the past, have staged a formidable comeback. This may be due to our increased world travel and the development of insecticide resistance among bed bugs. Bed bugs feed on mammalian and avian blood, and humans are their favorite host.

When bed bugs were abundant decades ago, they were considered a pest of the poor and unsanitary living conditions. The stigma or embarrassment of bed bugs remains —as well as many common myths about them. Here are the 10 most common myths about bed bugs.

1. Bed Bugs Only Live in Beds

Bed bugs will live in and on your mattress and bed frame, but they will also live in other places in your home, such as rugs, chairs, sofas and curtains. Since they feed on your blood while you are sleeping, they inevitably make their way to your bed for a meal.

2. Bed Bugs Only Bite at Night

Though bed bugs prefer to feed at night, if they are hungry and the opportunity presents itself, they will feed during the day. They will adapt to your work schedule, even if you work nights. And though they prefer human blood, your dog or cat is susceptible to bed bug bites.

3. Bed Bugs Can Fly

Bed bugs do not have wings and cannot fly. On the other hand, they can move rather quickly for their size, crawling about three feet in one minute.

Warm weather has more effects on pests than you might assume. Many homeowners believe that pests simply love summery weather just as we do, which is why they often appear in non-winter months. But there is a lot more to it than that. Here are three ways that warm weather impacts pest life.

Pests Are Cold-Blooded

Like reptiles, most pests are cold-blooded creatures. What this means is that they need external sources of heat to warm up their bodies. It is much harder for pests to find sources of heat during winter over any other season.

Pests love to sunbathe, and when they aren’t hiding during the nighttime, they are highly attracted by not only warm places but places that also reflect lots of sunlight. During hotter days, they can end up relaxing on driveways, sidewalks and porches.

Pests Are Awake Longer in Warm Weather

During the winter, pests tend to hibernate, only waking themselves up in order to find food that can regain their energy. They tend to do this during warmer winter days, where sunlight provides energy to help rejuvenate them.

What this means is that during the winter, you might come across pests that you otherwise would not see if the weather was colder. Boxelder and stink bugs will leave indoor areas for food whereas termites and cockroaches will stay inside.

Traveling can be exciting and fun, but it can also cause worry since your home is left unattended. When you’re home, you can keep an eye on things and prevent pests from causing damage. When you’re away, that’s just not possible. However, you can your home safe from pests with some planning and preemptive actions. Whether you plan to be gone for a long weekend or an extended period of time, taking these steps can ensure your home is safe from pests while you travel.

Clean Up

Clean your home before heading out of town. Remove anything that will attract rodents and insects. Make sure all dishes are washed and properly store any food in sealed containers or in the refrigerator. If you typically leave a bowl of fruit on your kitchen counter, instead place those items in the refrigerator. Or if you normally keep a stocked candy dish on an end table, put that away. This also goes for pet food and treats.

Remove all garbage from inside your home. If you’ll be away on your regular garbage pickup day, ask a neighbor or friend to put your trash out and bring the empty can back in after everything is picked up.

Secure Any Openings

Close and secure all openings like doors, windows, and even the dog door. Take a moment to double-check that the fireplace flue is closed to keep bats, squirrels and birds from gaining access. Take things a step further and inspect the exterior of your home to make sure all siding and weather-stripping is in place. Pests can fit through small holes, so anything big enough for you to notice is big enough for pests to enter.

Your lawn is one of the first things that people notice about your house. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the first things that pests notice about your house. If you want to keep pests out of your home, you’re going to need to keep them off your lawn as well. Here are some ways to keep your yard as healthy and pest free as possible.

Mow Your Lawn

The first thing you’re going to want to do is cut your grass. Pests hide better in tall, unkempt lawns, so try not to let your grass grow higher than three inches. Also, if you have bushes then trim them as well, as these also provide great hiding places for pests. Finally, when you empty the trimmings, pour it into a garbage bag and close it up tight, so any bugs sucked up won’t creep into your house. 

Maintain Your Yard

Not only are you going to want to keep your grass short, but you’re going to want to keep it healthy as well. Healthy grass has natural defense mechanisms against pests and will deter them on their own However, once your grass begins to die, your lawn becomes open season. First, use fertilizer to help your lawn develop a lush, green color. You should also aerate your grass from time to time as well, and finally, water your grass properly. This means, for one thing, making sure that your grass is never dry, but it also means not allowing too much water to puddle up in small pools. Many bugs, especially mosquitoes, use standing pools of water as their primary breeding grounds, so don’t give them any opportunities to settle down on your property. 

Use Pesticides

Lastly, if your pests won’t let up, some pesticides should do the trick. Make sure, however, that you aren’t using pesticides designed to kill everything in sight, but pesticides which take out insects like mosquitoes and ants while leaving beneficial bugs like earthworms unharmed. Also, make sure that you’re using these chemicals safely and according to the instructions by putting out a sign signaling that there are pesticides on your lawn, only using the suggested amount, and storing it away from pets and children when not in use.

Pest control begins on the lawn, which is why it’s extremely important to safeguard your yard and keep it healthy. Fortunately, with just a little effort, it’s not very difficult. For more information, or to receive quality pest control services, contact Pest Control Services at today.

Pest Control Services proudly provides pest control to our customers in the Idaho Falls area. While it may still be a little chilly right now, it’s only a matter of months before the days start to get longer and the weather warms up. While we love the long summer days, they tend to bring out pests, particularly ants. Don’t worry. There are a few things that you can do to help control ants in and around your home. If you find yourself facing an infestation that is larger than you can deal with, contact-us for help. Our professional technicians will be happy to help you eliminate ants or other pests that have invaded your property. We happily serve both commercial and private customers with all of their pest control needs.

Indoors

There are many things you can do to deter ants from entering your home. Be sure to wipe down all of your kitchen counters and appliances each night and sweep your floor regularly. Remember, ants are very small creatures. Even a crumb left over can be an attractant to an ant. Likewise, remove all water from your sinks and tubs each day. Just like humans, ants get thirsty, and it’s not unknown for ants to venture into a home seeking fresh water on the hottest days.

Invest in a covered trash can, both inside and out. Make sure that all minor cracks are sealed well around windows and door frames to limit the areas ants can enter your home.

Outside

If you’re seeing lots of mounds in your yard, you understandably want them gone. Not only do ants bite and lessen your enjoyment of your lawn, but they can cause damage to grass in the surrounding area. You may have heard that you can remove an ant bed by flushing it out with water, but this simply isn’t true. The ants will leave the bed, only to create another within close proximity to the first.

To deter ants from deciding that your home is the perfect place to live, be sure to keep your grass neatly trimmed and remove all yard debris promptly. Your outdoor trash can should have a fitted, tight lid as well to keep your garbage from attracting ants. Try not to leave bowls of water or pet food outside, as these can also attract ants to your home.

If you woke up this morning to find a series of red, itchy and irritating marks on your body, you have likely fallen victim to bed bugs. Bed bugs are classified as pests, so it is very important to call your local pest control services so your bed bug problem can be dealt with as soon as possible.

In the meantime, there are ways in which you can search for bed bugs in the bedroom. However, it is important to first understand bed bugs.

Bed bugs can hide virtually anywhere and can fit inside cracks that are as thin as a compact disc. This makes searching for bed bugs rather hard to do, but it must be done to help pest control services find them more quickly, as well.

How Do You Inspect Your House for Bed Bugs?

You will need to wear gloves, in addition to having a flashlight and a straight edge object like a paint scraper or credit card. Look for bugs, in addition to eggs, droppings and shed skin.

Bed bugs not only like the warmth, but they also love to be where humans rest for a long period of time. Therefore, the number-one place to look is inside your bed or mattress. You should first look through your sheets. You should carefully inspect folds, tufts and seems in your sheets and blankets for possible signs of bed bugs.

As the weather starts to become colder, the pests in your neighborhood begin looking for a warm new home. These pests look for any opening that can give them access to your home. The opening size may range from tiny to large depending on the location. To combat your potential new house guests, you need to know some of the common entryways.

Foundation Cracks

As a house begins to settle, small cracks start to appear in the foundation and walls. These cracks are not uncommon. But if you do not repair and maintain them, they become the door for the pests to enter your home.

During late summer or early fall, you should inspect your home for any new cracks. If you find new cracks, you need to seal them properly. The sealant you will use depends on the location of the crack. For cracks in concrete or masonry, you need to use a concrete repair or a caulk specific to concrete and masonry. For cracks in the walls, you need to use a silicone caulk.

Windows and Doors

As your windows and doors age, the seals start to fail. When you are preparing your home for winter, you need to check the seals in the windows and doors. If they are not sealing properly, it could create a small gap which can then allow the pests to come into your home. You will also need to check the caulking around the windows and doors.

If either the seal or caulk is failing, you need to replace or re-caulk the window or door. Leaving any gaps or cracks gives your neighborhood pests an opportunity to enter your house. Remember, caulk needs time to cure and harden, so make sure you read the directions for optimum temperatures and curing time.