When you own a cabin that you close up for the winter, it is important to think about pests while you make your preparations for the time that the cabin will be unoccupied. The last thing you want is to return to your cabin in the warm spring months only to find an infestations of insects, mice, or rats. Luckily, with a little bit of planning, it is not difficult to keep critters out of your vacation home. Use the following tips to ensure that no creepy-crawlies take up residence in your cabin while you're not using it:
Move Your Firewood
It is not uncommon for cabin owners to keep their firewood piles right up against the cabin so it is easy to access of chilly nights. While this may be convenient, it is also a bad idea if you want to keep pests away. Mice, ants, and other insects are attracted to piles of wood, so if your firewood is placed right against the exterior wall of your cabin, there is a good chance that pests will find a small crack or hole and get inside your home. Your best bet is to move firewood at least several yards away in order to not attract pests.
Check the Foundation and Siding
Before you leave your cabin for the last time of the season, take the time to carefully inspect the foundation and siding for any evidence of openings, even small ones. Mice, rats, and insects can squeeze through incredibly small spaces, so sealing even tiny openings in the foundation and siding can help ensure that pests stay outside.
Inspect Exterior Doors
One thing that many people overlook when trying to keep pests out of a vacation cabin is the exterior doors. When doors are not very tight in the door frame, small pests can make their way in. An easy way to inspect your door is by standing inside and looking at it during the afternoon-- if you see any light shining through around the door frame, your door is not air tight, and pests can get in. Adding weatherstripping around the door frame and replacing the sweep at the bottom of the door can add a layer of protection by ensuring that pests don't come in.
Clean the Gutters
Gutters that are clogged with leaves, debris, and dirt, make a prime living space for mice, rats, and insects during the winter. Once you have pests living in your gutters, it won't be long before they try to make their way into your home. Always make sure your gutters are completely clean before you close up your cabin. In addition to helping to prevent a pest infestation, clean gutters will also ensure that cold rain and melting snow can run-off properly so your cabin's roof is not damaged.
For more information, contact companies like Mr. Bug Killer Inc.
Share
