Newcomers to the Sunshine State often complain that we have no seasons. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sure, we don’t have the mundane spring, winter, and fall like our neighbors to the North. Instead, we have vibrant, interesting seasons – like mosquito season, hurricane season, and we’re smack in the middle of Snowbird Season.
So, while our mercury may not be dipping – at least not as much as in the hometowns of the folks who flock here right now – we know when it’s time to protect our homes against possible insect incursions.
Open Door Policy
There are many ways insects and other pests can make entry into our homes, so we’ll start with the most obvious ones – doors and windows.
We’re going to assume you know not to just leave windows and doors open without screens. But even normal traffic in and out can leave a space for insects to invade. Not all screens are created equally either. Some may have larger gaps that don’t necessarily let roaches in, but may be open enough for no-see-ums, small ants, and other tinier insects to make entry.
Now is a great time to check the weather-stripping around your doors and windows, too. Our year round sun beats down on the materials and can cause cracking and decay, making a little extra space for insects to squeeze in.
If you have a lanai or attached garage, some folks leave the access to those spaces open. Garage doors have even more open space around all four sides - plenty of room for an invasive force. Because they’re not tied to our AC systems, garages and lanais often allow easier access to attics and crawlspaces too. They are perfect points of entry for many bugs.
Pipes, Wires & More
Another popular entry point for insects that many people don’t consider is where conduits come into your home. When homes are built, sealing the gaps around electric wiring, cable or Wi-Fi, water, and phone line access is not always a priority. The same is true for dryer vents and exhaust fans.
While the extra space may not be a significant draw on your cooling bill, these gaps do provide plenty of space for cockroaches, palmetto bugs, spiders, silverfish, and even small rodents to gain entry to your home.
Check around your home for these entry points, no matter how small, and seal them up.
Unwelcome Environment
The best way to keep insects from coming into your home is to provide them with nothing that they need or want. Eliminate standing water and food sources so there is no place to warm the cockles of their hearts.
Clean up after yourself. Don’t leave crumbs on countertops. Keep food in sealed containers – and, of course, seal them when you’re not using them. Keep dirty dishes to a minimum. Don’t leave standing water around the house – check for leaky pipes or faucets and keep your gutters clear of debris.
Store trash properly. Use odor-resistant bags to line close fitting, lidded trash cans, and when it’s full, take it outside. If you compost, make sure that container is well-sealed.
Attic & Roof
Most people don’t give a lot of thought to their home’s soffit and fascia until one of our hurricanes or large tropical storms comes through and sends them flying. But these are areas that are specifically designed to give more access to allow air flow to come in and out and to prevent storms from just ripping your roof off.
Unfortunately, without conscientious care, these areas also provide an easy ingress for rats, squirrels, bats and various insects.
While we can’t seal these areas up without defeating their purpose, we can use proper insulation that not only keeps the internal temperature where we want it, but also protects our home from outside noises and stalls insect and rodent invasions before they start.
Thermal Acoustical Pest Control (T·A·P) is our natural pest control insulation, made with recycled materials and safe for the whole family. T·A·P is 32% more energy efficient than traditional fiberglass insulation, adds a sound barrier to your attic, and kills pests like roaches, ants, and silverfish.
T·A·P is fire-retardant and environmentally friendly. Unlike the pink stuff, it doesn’t cause itching or respiratory, stomach or eye issues. We apply it as a covering over your existing insulation in your attic, leaving no gaps, covering nooks and crannies and capping the entire attic floor. It’s as close to a perfect solution as we’ve found.
For more info on T·A·P insulation or any of our other green pest control solutions, please give us a call!