Seal Your Home From Pests With Caulking

How to use caulk for pest control in Vermont - Vermont Pest Control

Did you know that ants, beetles, and spiders often make their way into your home through tiny openings? Cracks and crevices around your doors and windows are open invitations to bugs, especially in the spring and summer when they’re out in full force. The best way to seal off your home from pests is with caulking. This easy and effective DIY pest prevention method is something every homeowner here in Vermont can learn to do. With pest season just around the corner, now is the time to pest-proof your home. The exterminators at Vermont Pest Control are here to help you learn how to use caulking to pest-proof your home.

Find Where Pests Get Inside

Before you use caulking, it’s important to conduct a thorough inspection of your property to locate cracks and crevices. Look at your window and door frames from both inside and outside, as well as your baseboards, crown molding, and more. If you have major issues with your door or window frames, you may consider replacing them entirely. Weatherstripping is also a solution for bigger gaps. However, caulk is best for small, easy-to-fix holes to keep pests out.

How to Keep Pests Out With Caulking

Using caulk to pest-proof your home is a quick trick you can do every year to lessen the changes of an infestation. Here’s how to seal your home from pests with caulking:

  1. Choose the correct caulk. When you get to your store, you’ll notice several types of caulk. In general, silicone caulk is the most commonly used caulk for this purpose as it is resistant to moisture. It’s also a low-cost option. If necessary, purchase a caulking gun as well.
  2. Thoroughly clean the area. Before you apply any caulk, make sure to clean any areas you will be applying caulk to. This includes removing any old caulking, old paint, dirt, and anything else that could jeopardize the adhesion of the new caulk.
  3. Apply the caulk. When applying caulk, begin in one corner of the crack or gap and tilt the applicator at a 45-degree angle. Steadily apply the caulk in a smooth, slow line while applying steady pressure.
  4. Let the caulk dry. If needed, smooth any bumps or fill any gaps with a small spoon. Remove any excess caulking. For best results, let the caulk dry for at least 24 hours.

Pest-Proofing Your Vermont Home

Caulking is an easy, cost-efficient way to pest-proof your property. Other best practices for pest prevention include clearing your yard of debris, keeping a clean kitchen, sealing food in airtight containers, and fixing leaky pipes. To learn more about using caulk to pest-proof your home or other best practices for pest prevention, contact the professionals at Vermont Pest Control today!

Look Out For These 2 Spiders This Fall

Fall spiders can be dangerous in Vermont. Learn more from Vermont Pest Control

Spiders are a common pest problem all year round here in Vermont, but they are especially abundant in the late summer and early fall. Spiders typically hatch in the springtime. Come August and September, spider populations can be at their largest. This is also when spiders traverse into your home for several reasons. Whether to escape the heat or to look for food, water, and shelter, spiders inside your home are typically harmless. However, there are a couple spiders in particular that are more dangerous: black widows and brown recluse spiders. The team at Vermont Pest Control is here to share expert info on spiders this fall in your home.

Why Do Spiders Come Into the House?

Spiders are just like other pests in their need to seek out food, water, and shelter in order to survive. The key to keeping them away is making your home less attractive to them! Broken screens or crevices in your doors and windows often let spiders in. An unkempt yard or lawn will invite spiders to your property. You may also notice more spiders when you have other bugs and insects in your property. Spiders will be more drawn to properties that provide them with shelter and food (bugs) inside. By eliminating the conditions that invite bugs and pests indoors, you can effectively prevent spiders as well!

Black Widow vs Brown Recluse Infographic - Vermont Pest Control in VermontBlack Widow vs. Brown Recluse Spider

It’s easier to tell apart a dangerous spider from your regular house spider than you think. This is because black widows and brown recluse spiders have a couple of unique characteristics:

  1. Black widows
    1. These spiders have a characteristic red hourglass shape on its body.
    2. They build sticky, tangled cobwebs in garages, sheds, and near the ground.
    3. They can bite when they feel threatened.
  2. Brown recluse spiders
    1. Brown recluses have a darker brown violin-shaped mark on their brown bodies.
    2. They build loose, dome-shaped webs for shelter.
    3. A brown recluse bite is known to be very painful.

What to Do When You Have a Spider Infestation

If you’ve done all you can to prevent spiders and are starting to see them on a daily basis, it’s time to take action! A professional spider exterminator such as Vermont Pest Control can help you not only control any current infestation, but also prevent future ones from happening.