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When the end of summer is in sight, cooler temperatures emerge, yet bringing with it an influx of undesirable tenants into your home or business. Cockroaches, rodents and spiders seeking water, food and shelter will take refuge in the cracks and crevices of your property. As the seasons change, it’s important to take steps to prevent your space from becoming the ultimate pest retreat.
Avoid Cockroach Catastrophes
Of the thousands of cockroach species, there are three in the South that are considered pests: the American Cockroach, the German Cockroach and the Smokybrown Cockroach. These nasty creatures give off an unpleasant aroma, leave behind stains from fecal matter and carry harmful allergens that can lead to digestive problems, rashes or food poisoning.
While the appearance of cockroaches on your property doesn’t necessarily mean you keep a dirty home, it could mean you have moisture damage, gaps in the seal of your home—around door frames, windows and dryer vents—or landscaping that requires attention. Cockroaches are resourceful omnivores and are far from being picky eaters. Without leftovers or food residue to consume, they are not above snacking on paper, cardboard and even hair to survive.
Our McCauley experts have curated a list of the best actions you can take to deter these unsightly insects to prevent your property from becoming a roach resort:
- Avoid going to sleep with a dirty kitchen and wipe down any surface food has touched.
- Keep your garbage covered. A trash can without a lid is a 24/7 cockroach buffet.
- Seal your food in containers.
- Conduct a seasonal check around the exterior of your home to seal cracks and crevices.
Sometimes an infestation can occur without even spotting a roach inside your home. Understanding how to recognize other signs of an infestation could make a major difference in your family’s health through early detection, treatment and prevention. Trust the McCauley Services team to ensure your property isn’t susceptible to invasion by the neighborhood roach brigade when the weather changes.
Rid Rodents from Your Residence
No matter what Cinderella says, rogue rodents are unwelcome additions to anyone’s property. These nibbling nuisances are carriers of a multitude of diseases and will look for new places to nest when the temperatures drop. According to theCDC, mice and rats spread over 35 diseases through bites, scratches or contact with rodent saliva and droppings which could lead to severe health problems. If you find shredded paper, chew holes, gnaw marks or strong smells (not coming from your kids or spouse) around your property, you may have a rodent infestation.
We know Halloween is right around the corner, but live rats, mice and bats likely won’t make your décor list. Our team has a few suggestions to make your property less inviting:
- Mow the lawn every 1-2 weeks, so your grass doesn’t facilitate a sneaky rodent’s passage.
- Dispose of your yard waste or contain it, so a rodent family doesn’t nest in the piles.
- Secure your trash and recycling in metal bins. Rats can chew through plastic and you wouldn’t want Templeton rummaging through your leftovers.
Rodents are fairly skittish creatures and will look for undetectable entrances into your home. A dime-sized hole may not sound like much of an issue, but you might as well roll out a welcome mat for mice as they can squeeze themselves through surprisingly small entry points. Adding to your curb appeal may also entice rodents to share in your dream home. Landscaping that is too close to your property’s facade provides the perfect cover for them to find their personal front door. Ask McCauley Services’ professionals to thoroughly inspect your property before the seasonal change to prevent unforeseen creatures from nesting.
Send Spiders Running with Common Scents
Similar to roaches and rodents, spiders tend to seek shelter where they won’t be disturbed, oftentimes to find a mate or a safe place to give birth. Before you dust off your fall clothes and décor, check for spiders around light fixtures, doors and windows as well as in corners, closets, shoes, garages and sheds. These surreptitious creatures are known to enter through cracks and crevices in your property’s foundation or around your ventilation system.
Of the 40 most common types of spiders found in the United States, only two in the South are venomous and will attack when they feel threatened: the Black Widow and the Brown Recluse. The Black Widow is easily recognizable by the red hourglass figure on its back and can grow to about .5-1.5” long. The Brown Recluse is often mistaken for the common house spider in shape and coloring, but unlike its doppelganger, the Brown Recluse has only six eyes and grows to the size of a quarter. Despite the relatively low risk the majority of the spider population presents, these aggravating arachnids are not welcome household guests.
In addition to regular spider prevention services, there are several natural ways to deter spiders from invading your home:
- Peppermint oil is a natural deterrent for quite a few pests including spiders who can’t stand its minty aroma.
- Cedar mulch, wood or oil provides an earthy fragrance that can also make your home less appealing to spiders and a host of other common pests.
- Cinnamon will soon be the scent of the season and also serves as a great way to keep spiders away.
A property with an abundance of other bugs and plenty of nooks and crannies around the foundation or windows means a home with plenty of food and shelter for spiders to reside undetected. Be mindful that taking care of the pest in front of you doesn’t always solve your pest problems. When it comes to health and safety, assuming the risk of eliminating an infestation could be detrimental to your own wellbeing.
Have No Fear of Pests This Fall
Roaches, rodents and spiders will soon be on the hunt for new abodes, but don’t let these pests frighten you this season! Our professional team receives training far beyond the standard requirement to identify, evaluate and treat your pest problems consistently and accurately.
Whether you have a known issue or you’re just looking for peace of mind, our team will customize a plan to fit your home’s needs, so you can rest assured your family is protected. We are dedicated to serving our communities with exceptional care throughout every season of life. After all, McCauley Services knows there’s no place like home.