Picture this: You’re all snuggled up on the couch with a blanket, your cat, and a mug of something hot when a stinkbug appears out of nowhere and starts zipping around your head, frantically attacking the lamp next to you. Not cool, stinkbug, not cool.
Insects are on the move right now, scouting out secure spots where they can ride out the winter in comfort, and your attic and basement are high on their list—after all, the rent’s free and they’ve got prime access to water and food. Keeping bugs out of your house can feel like an uphill battle, though, because any teeny-tiny crevice is like a wide open door to a centipede or a spider. Still, there are some things you can do to minimize the chance of bugs free-loading on you during the winter—and scaring the bejeezus out of you every time you pull back the shower curtain. Here are the steps pest-control experts recommend taking.
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Overgrown, messy flowerbeds are a direct path to insect infestation, says Abbie Philpott of Panther Pest Control in the UK. Plants and yard debris that abut the outer walls of your home provide a bridge for wingless insects that are looking for shelter indoors. She recommends staying on top of leaves and grass clippings that tend to pile up against the side of the house, where bugs like to hide. You should also cut back all bushes and tree branches that touch your walls or roof, which can provide access to the inside. (Don’t go crazy, though, since fall isn’t the best time to prune.)
Making your home as air-tight as possible will keep bugs out and save you energy. Use a low-VOC caulk (we like Ecobond) to seal up gaps around windows, doors, and pipes. You can also use steel wool to fill in larger cracks, Pilpott says.
Insects love damp, slimy spots like pipes and drains—if you’ve ever found a centipede in your bathtub, you know what we’re talking about. Cut off their water supply and eliminate the conditions they like by running a tight ship. Carefully check your pipes and faucets for leaks, and make sure to get rid of any standing water in your home, such as in the saucers under your potted plants and the refrigerator drip tray. The Clemson University Extension also recommends installing fine mesh over open drains, like those in your basement, to block their entrance.
On the same note, blocked gutters become an issue in fall thanks to dropping leaves. This can cause water to back up and drip down around your foundation, instead of flowing out and away from your house. When the gutter overflows, it can cause flooding and mold in your basement, which are bad enough without the added risk of inviting insects indoors. Plus, the overflowing water can damage siding and cement walls, creating cracks. Be vigilant about getting up on a ladder and removing the debris.
Stacking firewood right outside your back door may be convenient on cold winter nights, but it’s not the best move if you want to keep the creepy crawlies out. Critters like to hide in your snug pile, and if it’s pushed right up against the wall, it’s even easier for them to find every crack that leads into your warm house. Pilpott recommends keeping your firewood away from your house at an elevated location, if possible.
You probably already know silverfish love to hide out in your collection of old magazines, but they’re not the only ones. Pilpott says cockroaches are drawn to the smell of paper, so you should pack up papers you’re not ready to part with (like every art project your kid ever made) in secure plastic bins. Storing them in cardboard boxes only adds to the problem.