There’s Snow Place Like Home

This year's winter arrived with a vengeance. Travel delays, school closings, and frigid commutes have been caused by snowstorms and cold snaps around the country, but the weather could also be affecting houses, making it easier for household pests to find a way inside.

As they look for food or a warm place to remain, cold-weather pests such as rats and raccoons can cause structural damage to buildings and electrical cables. Mice and cockroaches can spread infections like Hantavirus and Salmonella, which can make members of your household sick. The greatest approach to staying safe and healthy while spending the season indoors is to keep these pests outside.

There are a number of precautions that homeowners should take dependent on local weather conditions. It's also worth noting that ice, snow, and wind may all cause damage to homes, so homeowners should inspect vulnerable areas such as doors and the roof for damage following severe weather.

Snow

When the weather drops and the snow begins to fall, rodents such as mice, rats, and squirrels will seek shelter indoors. Rodents can fit through microscopic cracks and crevices that may go unnoticed, particularly where pipes and wires enter the house. They can cause structural and electrical damage as well as spread disease once inside.

Ice

Ice dams are one thing to keep an eye out for. They form on roofs and might obstruct the melting of snow. Ice dams can cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and drywall due to moisture backup. Carpenter ants and other moisture-loving pests may be attracted to this.

Wind

Roof shingles can be damaged by strong winds. Nuisance fauna such as raccoons and bats can easily gain entry to the property through cracks in the roof and exterior. Check the roof for missing shingles on a regular basis, and make sure to repair any damage as soon as possible.

Rain

Any leaks or areas of moisture generated by rain or melting snow should be checked by homeowners. Termites, for example, are drawn to dampness and often go unnoticed while they build nests and expand their colonies within dwellings. To avoid pests making the problem worse, make sure basements and attics are dry and free of water damage after heavy rain.

Winter is a time to be warm indoors, but you don't want to be sharing your space with pests. If you suspect an infestation of any kind, call a registered pest control technician right away.

The Eliminator is here to help you learn more and be proactive in protecting your home and family.

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