Keep seasonal pests out of your home

As fall brings cooler temperatures and (hopefully) some rain, it also brings unwelcome visitors looking for cozy spots in our homes, garages, and structures to settle in for winter. But don't worry-there are simple ways to protect your home without resorting to harmful pesticides or chemicals. Here's how to get prepared:

Simple steps to keep pests at bay:

• Seal up cracks and openings: Check your home's siding, foundation, chimney flashing, and roof joints for any cracks or gaps. Repair torn window and vent screens, and seal any conduit ports where critters might sneak in.
• Check doors and windows: Ensure door sweeps and weather stripping are intact and secure. This simple fix can prevent rats, mice, ants, and other pests from squeezing in through tiny gaps around doors and windows.
• Secure foundation areas: Inspect screens, vents, and skirting around the foundation. Fixing these barriers will help keep larger animals like raccoons or skunks from camp under your house.
• Tidy up the outdoors: Trim back any overhanging branches that touch your house or roofline. Clear out vegetation and ground cover, brush within three feet of your home, and keep woodpiles away. Remove fallen fruit or vegetables to avoid attracting rodents and other animals.
  Get rid of cobwebs naturally: Use a vacuum cleaner to easily remove cobwebs without using chemicals.

If you work with a pest control service, ask if they follow integrated pest management (IPM) practices and insist they use these strategies before applying any pesticides.

For more tips on managing specific pests, visit UC Davis Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

These steps can help make your home a cozy haven for your family-without uninvited guests!