pest-proofing your home
kevin mcclintock gatehouse plus

Being a little too close to nature can sometimes literally invite problems into the home.

Ants and cockroaches, beetles and fleas and flies, rats and mice, wasps and weevils - and don't forget those dastardly gophers. All of these animals and insects are pests in the eyes of homeowners, and all are unwanted and uninvited inside the home. Let's face it, the last thing any homeowner wants to do deal with during the late winter months are unwanted guests. Didn't they have enough of those during the holiday season?

"Pests adapt to the changing environment and seek refuge indoors during the colder months," NPMA Vice President Cindy Mannes said, with mice becoming one of the most common invaders and causing the most damage inside the home.

Pests have preferences very similar to humans - in the winter, they want to come inside for the warmth and easier access to food.

The National Pest Management Association has provided the following tips for pest-proofing their pads.

+ Seal up any cracks and holes on the home's exterior, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home.

+ Screen vents and openings to chimneys.

+ Keep tree branches and shrubbery well trimmed.

+ Inspect boxes, grocery bags and other packaging.

+ Keep basements, attics and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.

+ Store garbage in sealed containers for regular disposal.

+ Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and five inches off the ground.

+ Repair fascia and sofits and rotted roof shingles; some insects are drawn to deteriorating wood.

+ Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around basement foundation and windows.

+ Remove old tires from the yard, which can become breeding grounds.

+ Pull soil or mulch back from the house's foundation to prevent termite infestations.

+ Call a qualified pest control professional for additional advice and treatment if necessary.

rabbit-proofing + Keep rabbit s away from your garden vegetables by lightly dusting the soil around each plant with cheap talcum powder. + Spread used kitty litter throughout the garden once a week to scare away bold rabbits.