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October 12, 2017Pests

How Sealing Your Home Can Help Prevent Pests

Sealing your home can be extremely beneficial for many reasons. It’s a great way to prevent pests from entering your home (and we all know what can happen once just one pest gets inside!), and it can also help you save energy and money.

How sealing your home prevents pests

It’s simple: eliminating as many entry points into your home as possible means pests will no longer be able to gain entry. Pests like ants, spiders, roaches, and even wildlife can enter your home through an unsealed door or window, a torn screen, an opening around a pipe or faucet, or a crack in your foundation or walls. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on these things and know when it’s time to call us.

Other ways sealing protects your home

• Saves energy. Sealing your home keeps heat in and energy bills down. Fewer holes means fewer places for warm air to escape or cold air to get in.
• Protects against water damage. Just like pests and cool air can enter through cracks and holes, water can also enter your home. Even small cracks can let in gallons of water. And once water enters, the bugs will follow, as they need a source of hydration.

Where to seal

Don’t forget to check any of these spots, as these are often overlooked.

• Doors
• Attic
• Walls
• Plumbing
• Windows
• A/C lines and boxes
• Electrical boxes
• Cable boxes
• Weather stripping
• Basements or crawlspaces

Sealing tips

Choose wisely! Determine what type of sealing method is best for each location.

• When applying outside, make sure you use weatherproof caulk or a screen as necessary.
• Use high-temperature caulk around areas that get hot, like pipes for your furnace or water heater.
• Use foam when sealing wide holes such as those for wires, pipes, and ducts.
• The best time to seal or caulk an area outside is when experiencing temperatures from 50-90 degrees. Never apply when it’s raining or snowing.

Sealing your home can make a big difference. If you’re already seeing pest damage as a result of cracks or holes in your home, call us and we’ll take care of those pesky pests!