What a rat in your house might look like in Eastern & Central Virginia - Loyal Termite & Pest Control Having serviced Eastern & Central Virginia homes for so long, our Loyal Termite & Pest Control technicians have seen it all. With the great variance in weather trends that we see throughout the year, all sorts of pest problems are possible. This means that in order to stay on top of pest problems year round, our at-home pest control strategies have to change. As we watch this autumn fade into winter, we have to make sure our home maintenance is keeping up with the season. Read on to learn how!

Cold Season Pests in Eastern & Central Virginia

This fall, we are expecting rodents to become a problem earlier in the year than they usually do. While we usually consider them to be wintertime pests, this year’s colder fall will be driving them indoors, looking for food, shelter from predators, and a warm place to sleep. They could already be living in your yard undetected, but they will find any way that they can to sneak into your crawl spaces, attic, or walls next. Mice and rats are the most common rodents that we get called out to deal with here at Loyal Termite & Pest Control.

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recently put out their Fall & Winter 2021 Bug Barometer:

How to Prevent Rodents in Fall and Winter

As you might expect, the nature of keeping pests out of your home and off of your property varies greatly between the summer and winter. Shifting our focus from mosquitoes, ticks, ants, and other small arthropods to rodents and other mammals will help us prevent pest issues most effectively. Here are our top three ways to conduct your own pest control for fall and winter:

Don’t let your yard become unwieldy. Keeping your grass cut and yard waste cleared can reduce hiding places for rodents in your yard. Your firewood piles can host rodents, too, so keep your firewood off of the ground and away from your home.
Check around your home for potential entry points. These could be cracks in your walls and foundation, broken ventilation and roofing fixtures, or gaps around your doors and windows.
Be careful with food and trash. When you’re done eating, store all of your food in airtight containers and wash your dishes promptly. You should also be keeping your trash in sealable bins and bringing it outside as often as possible.

Professional Pest Control for the Atlanta Winter

Whether you’re already dealing with a seasonal pest infestation or you’re looking for help getting ahead of impending problems, you can reach out to your local pest control company for help. At Loyal Termite & Pest Control, our technicians take the extra care to inspect your entire property, perform all necessary rodent removal or necessary pest extermination, and leave you with advice to better protect your property going forward. To hear more about how we can help you and receive a free quote, contact our team today!