Keep Pests Out of Your House This Fall with 3 Expert-Backed Fixes

Fall is fast approaching, which means you’re much more likely to see bugs making their way into your home to seek shelter during the cold months.

To get the low-down on fall and winter pest prevention, we spoke with Dr. Dan Suiter, University of Georgia Orkin Professor of Urban Entomology, who has a few expert tips to help you keep pests out of your home this fall season.

Bugs You Might See in Your Home This Season

As soon as the weather starts to turn, you’ll likely see a pest or two make its way into your home, according to Dr. Suiter. Among the familiar faces you might find in your home, Dr. Suiter says that cockroaches, brown marmorated stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, flies, and boxelder bugs are most likely to overwinter. 

Dr. Suiter says that these bugs aren’t pushed to move inside solely because of the colder weather—it's actually the shorter days.

“This transition–from the outside to the inside–typically occurs at the same time each year because much of this movement is dictated by day length," Dr. Suiter says. "Although temperatures can deviate quite considerably from year to year on the same date, the day length does not. Shortening days indicate to the insect the onset of cool and cold weather."

Protecting Your Home Against Bugs

There are a number of steps you can take to discourage bugs from overwintering in your home. Prevention starts outdoors and around your home, but there are also tasks you should check off inside your home to discourage pests from entering.

1. Get Rid of Debris, Wood Piles, and Clutter

“Don’t allow debris or wood piles to accumulate against the side of your house,” Dr. Suiter says.

Keeping wood piles near your home can encourage bugs that hang out in those piles to make their way inside. Another way to keep pests at bay is to declutter the spaces they frequent—this includes your garage, basement, cellar, or attic. Leaving fewer areas where pests can hide makes these spaces much less inviting to them and can help prevent an infestation.

2. Seal Your Home Before Fall Begins

“While temperatures are still warm and before pests start to move indoors, it’s a great time to examine all exterior walls, doors, and windows for cracks or holes. Seal these places using screening, caulk, stainless steel work, or other sealants,” Dr. Suiter says.

Don’t wait to start sealing your home ahead of the fall season; pests will start looking to enter your home around mid-September, when the weather starts to cool down. Taking these preventive measures beforehand is essential.

You should also be careful to prevent humidity, water leaks, and excessive moisture within your home. If you have existing moisture issues, it’s best to address them before the fall season hits. According to Dr. Suiter, a damp home is more likely to attract pests like cockroaches.

3. Keep Your Floors, Counters, and Appliances Clean

Lastly, don’t forget to keep your floors and counters as clean as possible. Pests will come looking for leftover food crumbs—if you don’t give them any, they’ll be less likely to stick around and thrive in your home.

Dr. Suiter also advises you not to forget the small cracks in your appliances that can accumulate food crumbs. Pests can make their way into these small crevices easily, so keeping your appliances clean and free of food will prevent bugs from feasting in your kitchen.

How to Tell if You Have an Infestation

A couple of uninvited guests are to be expected—after all, you can’t stop every single bug from getting into your home. Dr. Suiter recommends quickly removing these individual pests by using a vacuum. 

More than a few of the same type of bug could be a sign of an infestation, however. Look for unusual stains or scents around your windows or on your upholstered furniture, which could potentially be signs of insect secretions.

If you suspect you might have a pest infestation, call in the pros right away. It’s best to have your home examined thoroughly—an infestation can be challenging to deal with yourself, so having a professional identify the problem area and help you come up with an extermination plan is best.