Keep Pests Out
One of the best ways to limit unwanted intrusions by insects, rodents,
birds, squirrels and other pests is to deny them entry, a procedure known
as pest proofing. Many pests seek refuge in homes and buildings in response
to changes in weather, such as extended periods of rain or drought, or
the onset of cooler autumn temperatures. Taking steps to block their entry
before they end up inside can greatly reduce the chances of future sightings.
Outlined below are six useful tips for pest proofing one’s home
or place of business. Equipment and materials mentioned can be purchased
at most home improvement or hardware stores.
- Install door sweeps or thresholds at the base of all exterior entry
doors. While laying on the floor, check for light filtering under doors.
Gaps of 1/16 inch or less will permit entry of insects and spiders;
1/4 inch wide gaps (the diameter of a pencil) are large enough for entry
of mice. Pay particular attention to the bottom corners as this is often
where rodents and insects enter.
Apply caulk along bottom outside edge and sides of door thresholds to
exclude ants and other small insects. Garage doors should be fitted
with a bottom seal constructed of rubber (vinyl seals poorly in cold
weather). Gaps under sliding glass doors can be sealed by lining the
bottom track with foam weather-stripping.
- Seal utility openings where pipes and wires enter the foundation
and siding, e.g., around outdoor faucets, receptacles, gas meters, clothes
dryer vents and telephone/cable TV wires. These are common entry points
for such pests as rodents, ants, spiders and yellow jackets. Holes can
be plugged with caulk, cement, urethane expandable foam, steel wool,
copper mesh or other suitable sealant.
- Caulk cracks around windows, doors, and fascia boards. Use a good
quality silicone or acrylic latex caulk. Although somewhat less flexible
than pure silicone, latex-type caulks clean up easily with water and
can be painted. Caulks that dry clear are often easier to use than pigmented
caulks since they don’t show mistakes.
Buy a good caulking gun. Features to look for include a back-off trigger
to halt the flow of caulk when desired, a built-in "slicer"
for cutting the tip off of new caulking tubes and a nail for puncturing
the seal within. (Hardware stores sell guns with these features for
less than $10.00.) Prior to sealing, cracks should be cleaned and any
peeling caulk removed to aid adhesion. For a professional look, smooth
the bead of caulk after application with a damp rag or a moistened finger.
- Repair gaps and tears in window and door screens. Doing so will help
reduce entry of flies, gnats, mosquitoes and midges during summer and
cluster flies, lady beetles and other overwintering pests in autumn.
Certain insects, in particular leafhoppers and hackberry psyllids, are
small enough to fit through standard mesh window screen. The only way
to deny entry of these tiny insects is to keep windows closed during
period of adult emergence.
- Install 1/4 inch wire mesh (hardware cloth) over attic, roof and
crawl space vents in order to prevent entry of birds, bats, squirrels,
rodents and other wildlife. Be sure to wear gloves when cutting and
installing hardware cloth, as the wire edges are razor sharp. Invest
in a chimney cap to exclude birds, squirrels, raccoons and other nuisance
wildlife.
- Consider applying an exterior (barrier) insecticide treatment. While
sealing is the more permanent way to exclude pests originating from
outdoors, comprehensive pest-proofing is labor-intensive and sometimes
impractical. For clients requiring an alternative, pest proofing can
be supplemented by an exterior treatment with an insecticide. Homeowners
will get the most for their efforts by applying longer lasting liquid
formulations containing synthetic pyrethroids (e.g. Spectracide Bug
Stop, Ortho Home Defense System). Read and follow label directions before
using any pesticide.
Apply with a pump up sprayer, hose end sprayer, etc., treating at the
base of all exterior doors, garage and crawl space entrances, around
foundation vents and utility openings and up underneath siding. It may
also be useful to treat around the outside perimeter of the foundation
in a two to six foot wide band along the ground and two-three feet up
the foundation wall.
Clients who choose not to tackle these activities may wish to hire a
professional pest control firm. Many firms are beginning to offer pest
proofing as an adjunct to other service. When all else fails, a vacuum
cleaner or broom is often the best response to the occasional bug that
wanders in from outdoors.
Source: Mike Potter, Kentucky Pest News
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