Field Notes: Prep Your Home for Winter
As temperatures start to drop in Michigan, we’re not the only ones looking for a warm place to spend the winter. Mice, spiders, and other unwanted guests begin searching for food, warmth, and shelter and your home can look pretty inviting. A little preparation now can help prevent a pest problem later. As you get your house ready for another Michigan winter, add these steps to your seasonal checklist.
Seal Up Their Entry Points
Mice can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, which means gaps around your foundation, siding, utility lines, doors, and windows deserve a closer look. Walk around the exterior of your home and look for cracks, holes, damaged screens, and gaps around pipes or cables. Pay particular attention to garage doors and exterior doors where worn weather stripping can leave an easy way inside.
Check the Garage, Basement, and Attic
Quiet, undisturbed spaces make great winter hiding spots. Garages, basements, crawl spaces, and attics are some of the first places you may notice signs of activity.
Watch for droppings, gnaw marks, damaged boxes or insulation, nesting material, and scratching sounds. Catching these signs early can keep a small issue from becoming a much bigger one.
Move Firewood Away From the House
A stack of firewood can provide shelter for rodents, spiders, and insects. Keep firewood elevated when possible and avoid stacking it directly against your home or garage. The same goes for leaves, brush, and other debris. Cleaning up around the foundation reduces the number of places pests can hide right outside your home.
Store Food With Pests in Mind
Winter pests aren't just looking for warmth, they're looking for an easy meal.Keep pantry staples and pet food in sealed containers, clean up crumbs and spills, and avoid leaving pet food out overnight. If you store birdseed, grass seed, or other edible products in the garage, use sturdy containers with secure lids.
Don't Forget About Moisture
Even during winter, moisture can attract pests. Check basements, utility rooms, and under sinks for leaking pipes, condensation, or other damp areas. Make sure gutters and downspouts are working properly before freezing temperatures arrive. Reducing excess moisture makes your home less attractive to pests while helping protect it from other winter-related problems.
Prevention Is Easier Than an Infestation
At KEEN Pest Control, we believe pest control should be proactive. Preparing your home before winter gives you the opportunity to identify vulnerabilities and address pest activity before unwanted visitors settle in for the season. If you're noticing signs of pests or simply want another set of eyes on your home's defenses—KEEN is here to help.
Stay warm. Stay protected. Stay KEEN.
