In the fall, insects and rodents are looking for a warm shelter for the winter. Unfortunately, our homes provide an inviting place for pests with food, water, and warmth. Termites and ants will invade a home and burrow into the wood, creating tunnels through the framework and support beams. The damage can be devastating, and the cost of repair excessive – when repair is possible at all. Scheduling professional pest control in Fort Worth can take control of invading pests, and prevent additional infestations.
Rodents will enter the wall spaces, chew on wires, and eat holes in sheetrock. They create the risk of fire by chewing on electric wires, and cause problems by chewing through phone, internet and other cables and wire. Locating the damaged wires can be difficult, and costly to repair, and rodents bring the risk of numerous diseases. The Bug Dude can treat your rodent problem, contact us to schedule effective pest control in Fort Worth.
Cockroaches are a common reason for homeowners to call for pest control in Fort Worth. There is a good reason for treating the problem, as cockroaches carry the risk of disease into your home. They crawl over dishes in the cabinets, through packaged goods such as sugar and flour, crawl over the silver wear in the drawer, and leave feces behind with the stamp of viruses and bacterial diseases.
These creepy crawlies are not alone in their attraction to your warm home. Ticks will try to shelter there, and carry the risk of Lyme’s disease, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosos, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Tularemia to name a few. In addition, spiders, wasps, and fleas will try to enter your home, along with ladybugs, stinkbugs, silverfish, centipedes, and a host of others. Professional pest control in Fort Worth provides the solution to your pest problem.
You do not have to dread the fall migration of insects and rodents seeking shelter. Proper fall maintenance by sealing the potential entries of cracks and gaps, and scheduling professional pest control in Fort Worth can treat your yard and home, stopping many pests before they can even enter.
Actions a homeowner can provide to deter pests in conjunction with professionally provided pest control in Fort Worth include:
- Replace worn door sweeps on exterior doors, and install a steel or aluminum threshold
- Inspect the door seal under garage doors and replace if gaps are present
- Replace or repair damaged screens (see below repair tip)
- Ensure the proper fit of all exterior doors, if gaps have arisen that weather stripping is unable to seal replace the door and/or door facing
- Use screen over vents and chimneys. Ensure you utilize high temperature tolerant metal mesh over the chimney
- Seal cracks, crevices, and gaps on the outside of the home, including the areas where utilities, cables, ducts and pipes enter the foundation
- Store nonperishable food in airtight plastic or glass containers
- Store garbage in tightly sealed containers and dispose of regularly
- Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation, doors, and windows
- Eliminate moisture by repairing leaking pipes, faucets, and clogged drains
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house, and do not bring extra into the home or on the porch
- Keep shrubbery and tree branches trimmed at least 12 inches from the walls and roof
- Have dead trees and stumps near the home removed
- Keep the lawn neatly trimmed, and free of leaf or debris piles
- Do not use wood mulch, consider using gravel or rock instead
- Replace rotted materials on the home such as fascia, for example
- Repair roof leaks and loose flashing
- Porch posts should sit on concrete, and not the soil
- Clean countertops, tables and floors routinely to prevent crumbs and other foods from attracting pests
- Do not leave dirty dishes on the counter or in the sink. If you are unable to wash them for some time, store them in the dishwasher
- Do not leave pet food out overnight
- Maintain a neat, clean and clutter free home to help prevent pests
- Frequent vacuuming can eliminate pests and eggs
- Do not store newspaper, magazines or other paper products, dispose of them properly on a routine basis
- Properly treat pets for fleas and ticks, and inspect them before bringing back indoors
- Professional pest control in Fort Worth will help to prevent fleas and ticks in the yard that can attach to pets
- Ensure tightly fitting crawlspace doors, to keep out pests and snakes as well
- Screen the air vents that provide ventilation for the attic
Screen Repair
Screen repair may be possible for small holes. Use household cement, instant glue, or clear nail polish to seal tiny holes. Trim larger holes in a neat square, and patch with a new piece of screen about ½ inch larger than the hole. Press some of the teeth on the patch through the screen and bend them to hold in place. Use epoxy to seal the patch in place on metal screen, or instant glue for vinyl or fiberglass screens. Large tears or holes will require screen replacement.
To prevent pest infestation in your home, or to treat a current one, contact The Bug Dude to inspect, identify and provide effective, professional pest control in Fort Worth. Our pest control professionals are up-to-date on the latest techniques and treatments for control of pests. We serve Fort Worth, Dallas and the surrounding areas with quality pest control services.
