Hurricane season is upon us, and it is important to take the right precautions to keep your home safe during bad weather. While boarding your windows and trimming your trees should be on your list of top priorities, it is also essential to take the right steps to keep pests out of your home.
When the weather gets bad, pests will look for any way into your home to get away from the harsh conditions outside. Even once the storm passes, they can stick around and create more problems in your home. Here are some tips to keep your home safe from pests during storm season.
Prepare your home before the storm
Any Floridian knows that hurricanes can form in a blink of an eye, sometimes making it impossible to prepare for them. The minute you see reports of a possible inclement weather, start inspecting your home for current pests and address any areas of concern that may threaten your structure. Make sure your home’s water drainage system is sufficient and that all cracks are sealed using waterproof caulk. It is also important to keep garbage as far away from your home as possible. Completing a proper inspection of your property can prevent water and pests from entering and damaging your home.
Throw away contaminated food and garbage
If a hurricane hits, there is a very high chance that many neighborhoods will experience power outages. In the occasion that you lose power, it is essential to throw away any food that could’ve been contaminated during the outage. Rotting food can attract unwanted visitors like cockroaches and flies into your home. After the storm ends, take care of any spoiled food items before attending to other debris and remember to keep trash far away from your home. Taking these measures will increase the likelihood of keeping pests away from your home.
Dispose of any standing water immediately
Standing water is a huge breeding spot of pests, especially mosquitos. In the aftermath of a storm, it is important you check around your home for any standing water. If you find standing water around your home, dump it immediately, and if possible, assess the places where water can stand before the storm hits. Make sure to check items like birdbaths, gutters, flowerpots and any other place that can retain water.
Assess the damages
Once the storm is over, evaluate any damages that may have been caused as a result the weather. There is a high chance of water damage after a hurricane, and moist wooden items can attract termites. Termites can cause severe damage to the structure of your house, leading to greater problems down the road. After checking for water damage, look for any structural damages. Rats and other rodents can gain access into your homes through damaged roofs, cracks and open holes. Fix these issues and make sure to get rid of rotten wood as soon as possible to avoid pest infestation.
Hire a pest control company
If you notice more pests in your home after a storm, it is best to hire a professional pest control company to inspect your home and eliminate all pests and prevent future infestations. Russell Pest Solutions team provides the highest quality, eco-friendly pest solutions in North-East Florida with the broadest operating area of any privately-owned pest company. Contact us for a quote today.
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