For some home is haven, for others it is part of a diversified portfolio of investments. Whichever it is for you, you’ll want to protect it from pests and rodents.
Let’s take a big picture view of your Seacoast home. Check landscaping first. Tree branches that touch your home become a bug bridge and poorly directed downspouts and drainage keep the basement moist for spiders, centipedes, and other bugs.
Next, inspect the exterior for rot, tiny holes that allow mice and chipmunks in or gaps in the roof-line which invite squirrels and bats into your attic.
Then go inside. Cardboard clutter in the garage or basement is a perfect habitat for cockroaches and pet food stored haphazardly is an easy food source for little critters.
While you might not be able to keep your NH property totally bug free, there are some easy DIY pest control practices you can employ.
- Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home including entry points for utilities and pipes. Pull nests from the soffit gaps and then fill these openings with expanding foam. After the foam hardens, cut off the excess with a utility knife.
- Caulk between trim and siding with acrylic latex caulk. Keep a wet cloth handy to clean up any stray caulk. Smooth the bead with a wet finger.
- Repair fascia and rotted roof shingles; some insects are drawn to deteriorating wood.
- Seal doors, windows and basement sashes with adhesive-backed weather stripping. Clean the surface first so the weather-strip will adhere well.
- Look for gaps in the dryer vent. Make sure the damper isn’t stuck open or broken off completely. And check that the seal between the vent and the wall is tight.
- Keep tree branches and shrubbery well-trimmed and away from the house and clean your gutters twice a year; ants will nest in clogged gutters.
- Make sure basements, attics, and crawl spaces are well ventilated and dry. Insects and other small pests are attracted to moist spaces.
- Store garbage in sealed containers and dispose of it regularly. Same for pet food, store in a metal trash can, mice can’t climb up the slippery material, or sealed plastic container. And if you have a fireplace or woodstove, stock fire wood at least 20 feet away from the house and five inches off the ground.
There are some problems you need a qualified pest professional for. If you have cockroaches, it’s usually best to hire an exterminator. You can try and do it yourself but the products are expensive and only effective if strategically placed. Add to that, if you miss any they will completely repopulate in just a few months. For just a little more money, you can hire a professional who understands the insect, will place the bait in hard to reach crevices, and will probably guarantee the work.
Need help maintaining a pest-free property? Our property management team will provide a basic inspection to source any problems and make necessary fixes. For more information, please email Property Manager, Anthony Sillitta at anthony@maddenre.com or visit www.maddenre.com
