Don't invite carpenter ants and other pests to share your home this winter. Pest-proof your home with these helpful tips!
Fall has arrived and it won’t be long before carpenter ants, spiders and other insects and rodents start searching for the ideal overwintering site. And while many of us look forward to the cooler days and colorful leaves, we don’t appreciate sharing our home with pests. With that in mind Plunkett’s Pest Control would like to offer these tips to help homeowners in Minnesota and throughout the Midwest pest-proof their homes and property.
Store firewood well away from the house and off the ground. One of the pests that seek shelter in woodpiles is carpenter ants; they are attracted to wood damaged by moisture.
Repair or replace damaged or torn screens.
Install door sweeps on exterior doors and add weather stripping around windows.
Seal any cracks on the outside of the home, including the foundation and areas where utilities enter. Remember mice only need a gap that is ¼” or less in diameter to get in.
Repair leaking pipes, fix appliances, or run a dehumidifier in areas of the home that experience moisture. Kitchens, bathrooms and basements are all likely places to find moisture problems.
Clean up any crumbs on the floor or counters immediately and store food in airtight containers.
Empty trash receptacles regularly.
Trim trees and shrubs back so that they don't provide a "bridge" to your home.
Add crushed rock around your home to create uneven terrain.
Plunkett's Pest Control 
