Pests, whether they be insects or animals, can really ruin your enjoyment of your home. They tend to be most active in the fall months, which is also the time when most homeowners want to be outside. To increase your outdoor enjoyment, you need to keep away the pests. Here’s how to keep pests out of your home this fall.

Keep things clean

Most pests, four- six- and eight-legged kinds, are attracted to the smell of food, so it’s important that you keep your home and the area around your home as clean as possible. Clean off all counters in your kitchen daily, and don’t leave uncovered food sitting out. If possible, don’t leave pet food sitting in bowls, either. Outside, make sure to clean up any food debris and don’t leave pet food sitting out.

De-clutter

One of the ways to keep pests out of your yard and your home is to not offer them shelter. A pile of brush or wood in your yard or a pile of junk in your garage or basement is the perfect hangout area for pests. Make sure to clean up all brush and branches outside and make sure you are storing things like firewood or lumber in covered areas if possible or, if not, then well away from your home. Try to avoid using areas of your basement or garage for storage of junk. If you aren’t using it, then sell it or dispose of it.

Eliminate standing water

One of the best ways to keep pests out of your house is to eliminate areas of standing water around your home. Not only do such areas of water serve as breeding grounds for insects such as mosquitoes, they also provide drinking sources for other pests. Some things you can do to get rid standing water include working on your landscaping to eliminate low areas where water can pool and emptying out containers that can hold water, such as buckets or unused planters.

Eliminate Entry points

Pests can’t get into your home if they don’t have a pathway to get in. A good rule of thumb is that any opening larger than the width of a credit card is a pathway for insects. You should check all your weather stripping and ensure that your windows close all the way. Also, check the areas where pipes and utility lines run into your home, and fill in cracks with caulk.

Doing some or all of these things should help keep pests out of your house and yard. If you do get pests in your home, calling a professional exterminator to get rid of them is probably your best bet.