The end of summer brings a slow but sure drop in temperature that will eventually have you and the family reaching for your long pants and long-sleeved shirts again. But as a homeowner, you need to recognize that you aren't the only one looking to take shelter from the cold. The end of summer and the start of fall can bring an increase in bug and pest activity as the critters look to prepare for the upcoming winter and find shelter themselves. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you navigate the fall season.

Get an Inspection Before an Infestation Happens

When it comes to pest control services, too many homeowners wait until they already have some unwelcome guests inside the house to call for help. But if you want to prevent that problem from ever happening this fall or winter, you should schedule a pest control inspection at the start of the fall season. Your pest control expert can examine your home for weak spots and may be able to spray or otherwise put down some chemicals that can stop pests in their tracks before they make it inside.

Eliminate Clutter, Especially in Dark Places

Roaches and a variety of other pests like to take up residence in dark places. If you have a pile of old clothes or other clutter in some dark corner of your basement, it might be worthwhile to do a little cleaning around the house before the fall arrives. Roaches and many other pests hate to be out in the open and exposed to light. If you remove as many of these potential hiding spots as possible, you'll make it less likely that a bug will find a spot to set up shop and then invite its friends to join the party.

Clean Up After Yourself

As a homeowner, it's always a good idea to clean up after dinner and any other time you are cooking or eating something around the house. But you might want to be especially aware of this as the weather starts to get colder. Some pests like mice might be looking to find a source of food so they can stock up for the winter once the temperature drops. Be diligent about taking the trash out whenever it has leftovers from dinner or any other meal inside of it. If you don't want to go through a million kitchen trash bags, use the small plastic bags you get from the grocery store to gather up the remnants of your last meal and then tie the bag and take it out to the trash can.

For more tips, contact a local pest control service.

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