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You’ve probably noticed some pests inside your home this time of year and wonder: How are they getting inside? As Birmingham’s premier pest control team, Vulcan Termite & Pest Control hears your concerns and wants to help you keep your home safe, healthy, and pest-free this fall.
Pests Inside the Home and How They Sneak In. Even if you keep a spotless home, insects like termites and small rodents, like roof rats and house mice, will want to sneak in and hide out as long as possible. Check out these four ways that pests can make their way into your home.
1. Windows and Doors. Although you might shut the door behind you each time you go in or out of your home and haven’t left any windows open, your doors and windows may still be the source of your pest problem. You should ensure your doors and windows are making a tight seal when shut. If you find cracks or you can see light shining through the gaps even when your door is closed, that is probably the main source of your problem.
2. Hitch-Hiking on People and Pets. If pests inside the home aren’t slipping through cracks in the front door, they can still come in with you and your family by hitching a ride on your clothes or something you’ve brought inside. There are two main ways this hitch-hiking occurs, and the best you can do to prevent it is to keep an eye out.
3. Vents and Fans. Sometimes, dryer vents and fans can be a golden opportunity for pests to enter your home; it often occurs when the dampers on your household vents are damaged and cannot correctly close or completely seal the vent.
4. Through the Crawl Space. Crawl spaces are dark, warm, and moist environments where all kinds of critters can nest and shelter from larger predators and the elements. They can also be a passageway for pests to get inside your home. If you know you have pests but don’t know where they’re coming from, check the crawl space for places it has been tampered with or damaged.
When to Call Pest Control. Common signs of an unseen pest infestation include scratching, scattering, or squeaking sounds coming from inside your walls; animal droppings; damaged wood; and nests. If you suspect an infestation based on the signs listed above or actual sightings, it’s time to call an expert. The team at Vulcan Termite & Pest Control has fulfilled that role for families in Alabama since 1965. Call 205-663-4200 or visit www.vulcantermite.com to learn more. †
