Hello 2019! As we kick off a new year, many people take time to reflect on the past 12 months and view the new year as fresh start. Did you make any resolutions this year? (Or have you…ahem…already broken any resolutions you made? Guilty as charged! Ha!)
According to a recent study, some of the most popular resolutions this year include taking up a new hobby, eliminating bad choices and re-examining life priorities, especially those related to money, education, weight loss and romance. While pest-proofing might not come close to being one of your resolutions, it totally should be! And there are certain things homeowners can and should do after the ball drops to ensure a pest-free new year.
STORE HOLIDAY DECORATIONS PROPERLY.
I know that taking them all down can be a chore. When you finally do get around to this (and no judgement from me if it’s not until the end of this month!), be sure you store your decor in plastic containers with tight sealing lids. It’s time to ditch any cardboard boxes!
KEEP YOUR KITCHEN CLEAN.
So…duh. This one sounds like a no-brainer but it’s easy to get sloppy on the cleaning when you’ve been cooking for what seems like hours. Food is one the main things that attracts pests to your home. This is one of those times where you want to your home as unattractive as possible to any “visitors” who may try to hang around.
SEAL ANY GAPS.
Install door sweeps on any exterior doors then seal the gap between the floor and the door. This not only eliminates spaces that rodents and pests use to get inside your house but also (bonus!) minimize airflow from the outside. Translation: No mice + no bitter cold wind = win-win!
LET’S CHAT ABOUT YOUR FIREWOOD.
Keep it away from your house and be sure to inspect the wood before bringing it inside. You don’t want to invite in any pests trying to hitchhike a ride!
REMEMBER THE OUTDOORS!
Bundle up and take a winter walk…around the outside of your home! Remove any dead branches or bushes you see. Check your gutters for excess leaves that can be removed. Inspect your home for any lose shingles. Then hustle back inside and warm up with some hot chocolate by the fireplace! 🙂
Adding pest-proofing as one of your annual resolutions can help you avoid frustrations with unwanted pests as well as eliminate potential damage and infestations during the rest of the year. Cheers to a pest-free 2019!
