Living in a beautiful town like Berthoud allows you to explore open spaces, connect with friendly neighbors, and enjoy a peaceful small-town vibe. Bu living here can also mean dealing with some pests. These unwanted visitors will look for a way into your warm, cozy home.
Thankfully, you can stop pests before they become a real problem by sealing up their entry points. Pest control professionals at saelapest.com can guide you through this process. This step can give you an edge as you fight with different pests. Here’s why sealing up entry points matter in pest control:
Pests Love Easy Access
Pests that are on the move look for food, water, and shelter. Your home provides these essentials, especially when the temperatures start to drop outside. These tiny intruders can get inside through small cracks, gaps, or holes around your house.
Rodents such as mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime. Insects need even less space. A home with unsealed gaps around windows, doors, or plumbing can openly welcome pests to it.
Pests Can Be Dangerous Once Inside
Mice can chew through wires, causing electrical problems or even fires once inside your house. Also, rats might nest in your attic and leave droppings all over. Ants may raid your pantry while spiders spin webs in every corner. In addition, cockroaches carry germs and can make allergies worse.
On top of the health risks, having pests can cause stress, damage your property, and lead to expensive repairs. This the reason why it’s easier and cheaper to keep them out in the first place.
Where to Check for Entry Points
Some areas around your home may attract pests or allow them inside. Take a slow walk around your house and look carefully at the following spots:
- Windows and doors. Check for gaps around window frames and under door sweeps.
- Garage doors. Even a small gap at the bottom of the garage door is enough for mice to squeeze through.
- Vents and chimneys. These areas often go unsealed and unprotected, usually because of their location. Professionals can seal them up for you.
- Pipes and utility lines. Look for holes where cables, wires, or plumbing come into your home. Pests can enter your home through them.
- Foundation cracks. Small cracks in the foundation can let insects in and often get bigger over time.
- Roof edges and eaves: Birds, squirrels, and wasps can sneak in through openings near the roof.
Best Materials for Sealing Gaps
The right material depends on the size and location of the gap. Here are some safe and effective options:
- Caulk. This is perfect for sealing small cracks around windows and baseboards.
- Steel wool. Use this for plugging rodent-sized holes. Mice cannot chew through steel wool.
- Expandable foam: This is useful for filling larger holes around pipes and utility lines.
- Weather stripping: This material is a must for doors and windows to block both pests and drafts.
- Hardware cloth or mesh: This is ideal for covering vents or larger gaps without blocking airflow.
Make sure the materials are installed tightly and check them regularly, especially after storms or cold snaps that can cause shifts in your home’s structure.
Benefits Beyond Pest Control
Sealing entry points also improves energy efficiency by preventing cold air from leaking in during the winter and hot air during the summer. This can help lower your heating and cooling bills. You will also enjoy fewer drafts and more comfort, especially in rooms that are close to exterior walls or the garage. Plus, the reduction in pest populations may eliminate the need to use as many sprays, traps, or treatments inside your home.
When to Call in a Professional
Call a pest control professional if you are dealing with a major pest infestation or you do not get the expected results from the products you use. Experts know exactly where pests like to hide and how they get inside. They can do a full inspection, seal up the entry points, and offer advice on how to keep your home pest-free year-round.