Fall Into A Pest Proofing Routine

The National Pest Management Association offers fall pest proofing
tips for homeowners

FAIRFAX, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#holidays–With holiday preparations underway like decorating, baking, and making
plans with loved ones, other important to-dos can fall to the wayside,
such as pest-proofing the home. Yet, many classic fall and winter pests,
like rodents,
spiders
and cockroaches
are moving indoors, causing contamination, diseases, property damage and
allergies.

To avoid infestations, the National
Pest Management Association (NPMA) encourages homeowners to pest
proof their homes against these uninvited houseguests.

“Fall pests can create serious problems for our family once inside the
home, so it is crucial to prevent them from finding their way inside in
the first place. Rodents can inflict property damage by chewing through
drywall, insulation, wood and electrical wiring, increasing the
potential risk for fires, and they can contaminate food and spread
diseases like salmonella,” said Cindy Mannes, vice president of public
affairs for NPMA. “Most spiders we find in the home pose little risk to
our health, with the exception of Black Widow and Brown Recluse spiders,
but no one wants their home overrun by these arachnids, and cockroaches
can aggravate allergies and trigger asthma attacks, especially in
children.”

The NPMA recommends these pest-proofing tips to keep bugs, spiders and
rodents out:

• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens
• Screen vents and openings to chimneys
• Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home, including areas
  where utilities and pipes enter the structure
• Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in
  sealed receptacles
• Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement
  foundation and windows
• Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes, clogged drains
  and clear leaves from gutters
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and brush it off
  before bringing it indoors
• After pulling decorations from storage, unpack them outdoors to check
  for signs of pests. Look inside boxes for droppings, gnaw marks or
  live bugs. Examine string lights to ensure wiring is fully intact.
• If you suspect a pest infestation in your home, contact
  a licensed pest control professional to properly inspect, identify
  and treat the problem.

For more information on fall pest proofing, visit PestWorld.org.

About the National Pest Management Association

The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 7,000 members, was
established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment
to the protection of public health, food and property. For more
information, visit PestWorld.org.

Contacts

Vault Communications, Inc.
Amanda Michelson, 610-455-2757
amichelson@vaultcommunications.com