Most of the time, when we talk about pests, our focus is on preventing and eliminating the pests that come inside of the home. While these treatments are mostly exterior, the pest control that we use is designed to kill pests that walk over it, so that any pest that does enter your home will not be able to survive.
But the best way to prevent pests is by making sure they cannot enter the home at all, and one of the ways to do that is by making home upgrades that eliminate holes, leaks, and entrance points that pests may use to enter your property.
“Our focus is typically on energy efficiency,” writes Michael, who works with California Energy Consultant Service, a window, roofing, and siding contractor in Sacramento. “But the benefits of home upgrades extend beyond energy efficiency alone, as many home upgrades have the potential to reduce or even eliminate openings that pests can go through.”
Although it is impossible to prevent all pests, it is not uncommon for components of your property to break down. As they do, they tend to develop holes and openings that make easy access points for pests. For example:
- Windows – If your windows are older, the frames may start to deteriorate. You can often feel around the window for leaks. A small leak barely visible to the eye is enough for many spiders and other bugs to walk through.
- Siding – Siding is another very common entrance point for pests, especially non-vinyl siding. As it deteriorates, it creates holes that attract all sorts of bugs and, depending on the age of your siding, bats and rodents as well.
- Roofing – Roofing shingles age quickly, and it doesn’t take much space to make it easy for pests to enter your property. If you have a tree that also goes over the roof, rats and other animals may also find it an easy way to access your attic, and eventually find their way into your property.
- Doors – Exterior doors are designed to be opened and closed, but that also means that there is often a small, barely perceptible gap between the door and the frame. Though various techniques can be used to try to keep pests away, like pest strips, those also age as well, leading to gaps.
Everything from your garage doors to your HVAC vents can potentially allow pests to enter, and while thee can never be 100% prevented, the older they are the more likely they are going to allow gaps for pests.
Pest Prevention and Home Upgrades
It’s important to change the way we see pest control. It’s not always about “exterminating” pests. Rather, it’s about making smart decisions with our properties to help make sure pests cannot enter your property. Some of this occurs on our end, through pest control sprays, exclusion, and related services. Other times, it requires upgrades on the part of the homeowner.
But making these changes, along with professional pest control, can make a tremendous difference in the number of pests you see in your property. Contact Adapt Pest today to learn more about our pest control services.
