Keep Pests From Haunting Your House

Letting your imagination run wild this time of year is easy. What was that creak? What was that thump? If we’re being honest, the real culprits behind those mysterious noises are more likely mice and rats than ghosts. These furry invaders and other pests are the true "haunters" in South Carolina homes. Let’s look at a few common pests that seek shelter indoors during the fall—and how you can keep them from "haunting" your house.

What mice and rats do in the fall

In the fall, mice and rats become more active indoors, searching for food and shelter. As nocturnal animals, they’re most likely to scurry about after dark, so strange noises homeowners may hear at night are probably rodents. These rodents are thermotactic, seeking out warm spots as temperatures drop. Their strongest instinct, though, is to find easy access to food and water, making homes an attractive place for them to settle. With cooler weather driving them indoors, it’s no surprise to find mice and rats taking refuge in homes once the cooler temperatures stick around.

Rodents are much worse than ghosts

If you walk into a room and find a ghost, you'll get the fright of your life. But rats and mice are rarely seen. If they get in, they'll sneak around in your home and stay out of sight. It would be better if they did make routine appearances because the sightings would inspire you to do something about them. Signs of rodents are typically ignored or not noticed at first. This allows these pests to cause damage to homes and stored items, spread germs, and leave behind their droppings everywhere they go.

What can you do about fall rodent problems?

The best thing to do is get in front of the problem. There are many ways to prevent rodent infestations before they begin.

• Seal entry points
  Inspect the exterior of your home and find any small cracks, holes, or openings rodents could exploit. Repair damage and apply caulking material, expanding foam, wire mesh, and other exclusion materials.
  
  
• Eliminate food sources
  Inspect your exterior for possible rodent food. They like seeds, nuts, fruit, and human food in trash receptacles.
  
  
• Remove hiding places
  Rodents hide in branch piles, cardboard boxes, junk piles, overgrown vegetation, etc.
  
  
• Call a professional
  A licensed exterminating company, like Harris Pest Control, can provide pest control around the exterior of your home to keep rodents out. This is an excellent choice if you want an easy and stress-free solution. 

Before things start to go bump in the night, take time to think about rodent control to prevent the unwanted repercussions of having these sneaky intruders hiding in your home.

Spider webs are a common sight

It is hard to find a neighborhood in the fall where there isn't at least one house decorated with spiderwebs. This is appropriate as spiders commonly haunt South Carolina homes, particularly in the fall. Why do they do this? Do they come in to get out of the cold? Actually, spiders don't have trouble with the cold because they have a natural antifreeze running through their veins. The reason they get into homes is that they follow insects in. Spiders are predators. Don't be surprised when you start to see spiderwebs, even though you didn't put any spiderweb decorations up.

How do you minimize fall spider webs?

In addition to sealing up your home, the best way to prevent spider infestations is to address the conditions that attract the insects they feed on. Here are a few suggestions to try:

• Shut off exterior lights
  Flies and other bugs are attracted to light. Turning your exterior lighting off when unnecessary will help deter these pests and the spiders that feed on them.
  
  
• Reduce clutter
  Spiders love hiding in cluttered areas with high insect levels, so keeping the garage, closets, and other storage areas organized will help minimize potential hiding spots.
  
  
• Trim vegetation
  Trim shrubs, tree limbs, and other plants away from your home’s exterior so that bugs cannot use them as bridges into your house.
  
  
• Cover trash
  Many insects are attracted to the scent of garbage. That is why you find spiderwebs around your trash. Keep your receptacles covered and as clean as possible.
  
  
• Sign up for professional pest control
  Ongoing pest management around your home will reduce the food sources that attract spiders. Your Harris Pest Control technician will also help you with some de-webbing.

Spider webs might make great decorations, but the real ones aren't great to have on or in your home this time of year.

Cockroaches in the fall are another spooky sight

Like spooky creatures lurking in the dark, roaches are the ultimate "unseen guests" that come out at night, skittering across floors and hiding in the shadows. Their eerie ability to squeeze through tiny cracks and vanish into thin air can make your home feel haunted. And just like the jump scare of a ghost or goblin, spotting a cockroach can send a chill down anyone’s spine!

How do you keep South Carolina cockroaches out this fall?

You can use the tips provided above. Cockroaches are attracted to the same things that attract rodents and spiders. Seal entry points, remove food sources, cover trash receptacles, and contact a licensed professional to help eliminate existing pest problems and prevent new ones.

Simple and effective pest control in the Pee Dee & Grand Strand areas

At Harris Pest Control, we know how unsettling it is to find pests seemingly haunting your home. That's why we offer comprehensive home pest control services in Florence, North Myrtle Beach, and throughout the Pee Dee and Grand Strand areas. Our quarterly pest control plan offers year-round pest protection with coverage for over 20 pests. This service includes perimeter pest control applications, de-webbing, fire ant control, and more. We also offer pest control plans that provide greater protection against even more pests. Compare our plans and pricing below, or call us to learn how we can help you.