Autumn is a relaxing time to snuggle into your warm home and enjoy the changing season before winter arrives. Many pests, unfortunately, also want to take shelter in your cozy home. Prevention begins with recognizing common fall pests. You can use the helpful guide below to identify threats and know when to contact pest control to keep them away this fall.

Pests Found in Homes During the Fall Season

1. Mice & Rats

Mice and rats will scope out your home for a reliable food supply and comfortable place to nest. They can squeeze through the smallest cracks and love to nest in attic insulation, inside walls, and in other hard-to-reach areas. Seal cracks in your home’s exterior and keep a 3-foot barrier between vegetation and your home. It’s helpful to also clean gutters, trim back branches, and seal access points in your roof.

Rodents will hunt for food crumbs, and once they find a source, usually in the pantry, they’ll keep coming back. Store food in air-tight containers and always clean your kitchen after cooking. If you find small brown pellets in your pantry, it’s a sign that rodents are already nesting in your home, and you should schedule an appointment with pest control.

2. Cockroaches

Like rodents, cockroaches are after warmth and food. They love clutter, so clean up brush and scrap wood piles in your yard. Fix leaks around pipes to remove their water supply, and clean your curb trashcans so they don’t attract these insects.

Nocturnal roaches thrive in waste and carry infectious diseases like salmonella. Keep them out by washing dishes after eating and taking out the kitchen trash each night.

3. Bees

Bees will be busy harvesting the last remaining pollen before winter arrives and can make it difficult to handle autumn yard work or enjoy a glass of warm apple cider outside. However, they help plants grow and are important to the local ecosystem, so you don’t want to harm them.

Home remedies are a great pest control tool. They don’t like the smell of crushed garlic, peppermint, or cinnamon, so spread these around your garden. Placing cucumber peels or vanilla extract by your windows will also drive them away without causing harm. If they continue to swarm and pollinate around your patio or typical walking path, contact pest control professionals to handle the situation.

Sometimes, professional assistance is the best pest control solution. AllPest Pest Control & Wildlife Removal has served Lewisburg, OH, and the surrounding counties for nearly 35 years. These licensed and insured professionals practice humane wildlife removal and pest treatments and can address bats, termites, bedbugs, and rodents. Call (937) 884-5646 to speak with a representative about your pest issues and visit their website to learn more about their services.