Eliminating pest access to the inside of the building is one of the most basic and important IPM practices. The outside of buildings should be inspected carefully to determine any potential entry points for pests.
The most common pest entry routes include:
- Open doors. Sometimes people prop doors open, allowing easy access for pests. Always keep doors closed when not in use, especially kitchen doors or other entry points near dumpster's.
- Doors that don't seal. This is often a primary means of pest entry. A door that is closed to us may present no obstacle for a pest. A mouse can easily squeeze through a small 1/4-inch opening and an insect pest can gain access if you can see light under a door from the inside. Finding crickets, ground beetles, millipedes, sow bugs, and similar insects inside is a common symptom of doors that don't seal.
- Other openings from outside. Gaps around pipes, conduit lines, and ventilation ducts are also common entry routes for pests. All of these should be properly installed and sealed tightly with the proper sealant material.
- Open windows. All windows should have screens if they are used for ventilation.
Always keep your home clean, the most effective pest control method. Don’t leave your food or dirty dishes lying around the house, animals and insects won't be attracted to the smell. CLean inside pantries and cabinets, under and around the stove and refrigerator at least once a year. The list below are some pest prevention methods.
- Do not allow food, trash, decaying wood, etc. to remain in or on your property.
- Cover or seal trash tightly.
- Do not accumulate trash or debris.
- Cut back limbs, shrubs and vines that touch or overhang your property.
- Stack firewood off the ground.
- Weatherize your home. Seal all possible pest entry points.
- Close all gaps larger than 1.4 inches.
- Check for and remove structural damage such as moisture-damaged wood. Water damage can cause weak spots in the roof. Animals may enter through the weakened area. Repair damaged windows and screens.
- Look for holes where roofs overlap.
- Keep gutters clean.
- Shuffle stored items regularly and keep boxes tightly sealed in plastic bags.
- Check storage area for rodents.
- Keep gutters clear.
- Keep all areas where food is prepared, stored and served clean and free of crumbs and grease. Garbage can lids should be kept closed and secured.
- Before storing end-of-season clothes, make sure they are clean.
- Drawer and cabinet liners, paper grocery bags and even wallpaper can be a source of food to pests.
- Carefully check for pests in furniture, boxes, paper and other items brought into your home.
- Squirrels, raccoons and birds frequent chimneys; they represent the single largest opening in a typical home. Consider chimney caps or wire mesh to cover.
- Areas where pipes, cables and wires enter walls and soffits should be sealed completely.
- Install 1/4-inch wire mesh (hardware cloth) over the attic, roof and crawl space vents in order to prevent the entry of birds, bats, squirrels, rodents and other wildlife.
