Home Fixer, LLC helps homeowners prepare for pest activity as cooler weather arrives
LUSBY, Md. — Each fall, stink bugs, rodents, cockroaches and spiders start searching for warm, sheltered places to survive the colder months. Unfortunately for us, our homes often provide the ideal refuge, making now the time to ensure these pests stay outside. Home Fixer is joining the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) in reminding homeowners to take preventative steps before these fall invaders move indoors.
“Stink bugs are a common fall invader, but they’re not the only pests homeowners should watch for as temperatures drop,” said Norman Stafford, owner at Home Fixer, LLC. “Rodents can damage wood and electrical wiring, cockroaches can contaminate food and some spiders can cause health concerns. Knowing what may be trying to get inside is the first step toward protecting your home and family.”
To help keep stink bugs and other fall pests from getting inside, Home Fixer recommends these tips for homeowners:
- Seal cracks and openings around windows, doors, siding, foundations, chimneys and utility pipes with a high-quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk.
- Repair or replace damaged screens on windows and doors.
- Inspect weather stripping and door sweeps for gaps.
- Keep branches and shrubbery trimmed.
- Limit excess moisture around the home’s exterior.
- Reduce unnecessary exterior lighting or replace traditional bulbs with yellow bulbs or sodium vapor lights.
Homeowners may notice stink bugs around door and window frames, electrical outlets, light switches, skylights and ceiling fixtures. While seeing an occasional stink bug indoors during the fall isn’t unusual, finding large numbers of live or dead insects may indicate an infestation.
“If stink bugs are already inside, avoid crushing them because they release an unpleasant odor when disturbed,” added Stafford. “Instead, remove individual insects with a vacuum and dispose of the vacuum contents promptly.”
For help dealing with an infestation, homeowners should contact a licensed pest control professional to identify entry points and recommend an effective treatment plan.
Call or Text Home Fixer, LLC at 301.659.0300 to schedule an inspection and protect your home from seasonal pests this fall.
