From rats to roaches, there are plenty of unpleasant creatures looking to find some shelter this Winter. And as the temperature drops, your home can play an unwilling host to such creatures. Thankfully, keeping creepy critters at bay is a breeze with the help of these easy to follow tips.
Inspect Doors and Windows
As Winter approaches, it’s important that you give your home a proper inspection. This is especially true in the case of your home’s windows and doors, where any cracks or holes are a welcoming invite to any critters searching for shelter this season.
Make a note of any faults found during your inspection. While it’s important to tackle these issues, the solutions are easy to come by and there’s no need to stress over any faults you find.
Seal Points of Entry to Your Home
The simplest way to keep animals out of your home this Winter is also the most obvious. Sealing off points of entry makes it near impossible for critters to make their way into your abode, and is a simple project that can be taken care of on any given weekend.
Use caulk to fill up any holes around the exterior of your home, and seal up window and door frames. Properly sealing your home will also help keep out drafts and chill in the Winter months.
Install a Brush Strip on Exterior Doors
One accessory that excels in keeping critters- and debris- out of your home is a brush strip. These easy to set up tools effectively prevent any animal entry thanks to the dense wire brush attached to the strip.
The brush strip attaches to the bottom of any exterior door. Assembly is simple, and the only tools you’ll need are a screwdriver and a hammer. This one quick installation will keep your home in check all season long.
Remove Outdoor Clutter
If your yard is cluttered with debris, chances are an animal infestation will follow. Piles of clutter are perfect hiding spots for critters looking for shelter from the cold, and give them a hiding spot for when you’re searching for them.
Make a day out of cleaning your backyard from fence to fence. Remove any and all debris and trash with the help of custom tarps, and be sure to keep the space clear as the season continues.
Maintain Unkempt Landscaping Areas that Might Otherwise Fall to the Wayside
When’s the last time you turned over your compost pile? Have the weeds been pulled from your garden beds recently? Landscaping maintenance not only keeps your yard’s aesthetic in check, but it helps to keep animals at bay as well.
Organic debris attracts a wide variety of critters that will be happy to make your backyard their new home. Staying on top of garden maintenance removes any opportunity for these animals to claim stake in your yard.
Store Food Properly
Nothing attracts animals to an area quicker than easy to access food. Even the smallest bit of food left out in the open will welcome critters of all shapes and sizes to feast no matter how cold it may be outside.
Food stored in your garage or storage shed should be kept in locked, sealed containers. Camping supplies work well for these, as they are specially designed to be animal-proof. And always thoroughly clean your yard after eating outdoors, making sure there are no scraps left outdoors after you’ve put on the sofa covers for the night.
Draw a Line with Boric Acid
Roaches and other creepy crawlies are a homeowner’s worst nightmare. If you find your home playing host to roaches this Winter, you’ll find an unlikely insect-repelling ally in boric acid. While boric acid is non-toxic to humans, it’s highly poisonous to roaches.
This household acid comes in a powder form and is a strong cockroach control solution. Before bed, simply spread the powder on the surfaces where roaches have been congregating. Come morning, vacuum up all the powder and thoroughly clean the affected surfaces.
Spray for Bugs
You can utilize other methods to keep bugs away in conjunction with boric acid. DIY insecticide sprays made with household ingredients will keep bugs at bay without the use of harsh chemicals.
Simply mix together ½ cup rubbing alcohol with a quart of liquid soap to create a bug spray that’s as simple as it is effective. It’s even gentle enough to be used in your Winter garden to keep bugs out.
Keep Intrusive Birds Away with a Magic Act
If birds are causing a commotion around your home, you’ll be pleased to know that there is a simple solution for keeping them away. Hanging mirrors and reflective surfaces in your outdoor lifestyle areas will give birds a scare and dissuade them from making nests around your home this Winter.
Leave a Light On
From foxes to racoons, there are plenty of nocturnal critters that can wreak havoc in your yard this Winter. Thankfully, keeping them at bay is as simple as installing motion activated lights in your yard above your tarps and chair covers.
Any creatures looking to scavenge in your yard will quickly be deterred by a sudden bright light. Flood lights work best for this endeavor thanks to their brightness. Motion activated lighting also serves as a safety measure in the unlikely event of an intruder.
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