As the weather starts to get chilly and autumn really sets in, a variety of pests will start to infiltrate your warm, cozy home. If you aren’t prepared for these creepy house guests, there are a few things you can do to eliminate them before they move in permanently.

Seal Entryways

Pests, especially mice, will take advantage of any opening they can fit through to escape the cold nights. Check around pipes, vents, and other openings for holes. Seal them with some kind of caulk or approved spray foam to fill them. If mice are trying to sneak in, then fill their entry points with steel wool. According to Pest Control Arlington, these fine fibers are unbearable to their feet and faces and they’ll immediately turn around and leave if they feel it.

Keep a Tidy Home

If you have kids and pets, it can be difficult to keep a tidy home, but you should still keep a clean home. Don’t let anyone eat outside of the kitchen, and put away leftover food before you go to bed. If you have dishes in the sink, ensure they’re rinsed and not still caked with food. Food sources are the biggest reason why pests sneak inside. If you’ve got a warm place to crash and free food for the taking, can you blame them for wanting to check-in? This includes food in your pantries and cupboards. Keep sugar and flour in tightly sealed containers, and ensure open packages are closed neatly to avoid spilling. When anything spills in your pantry or cupboard, even if it’s just dry noodles or beans, clean it up immediately. Your pests aren’t going to care whether it’s cooked or not. Food is food!

Reduce Clutter

According to Green Pest Services who specializes in pest control in Arlington, cleanliness is important, but so is cleaning up clutter. When you watch those hoarder television shows, they’re typically infested with every kind of pest imaginable. This is because there are plenty of places for them to hide. If you add privacy to your heat and free food, you’re a veritable five-star hotel. Cardboard attracts pests of all sorts, but rodents and cockroaches particularly love it. Try to avoid keeping cardboard boxes full of paper and fabric in your garage or attic.

Prevention is key when it comes to scaring pests away. Before the weather turns, make sure your home is sealed and clean to prevent bugs and rodents from turning your home into a shelter.