Many pests enter a building through small cracks and crevices. Closing off these entry points prevents pests from entering a facility. This is what pest control experts refer to as exclusion.
Mice can fit through a hole the size of a pencil, so it’s important to inspect and seal any holes on your property. Keeping up with your maintenance will help you avoid pest problems and reduce your need for Pest Control Bakersfield CA company.
Foundation Cracks
Many homeowners get nervous when they see cracks in their home’s foundation. Unfortunately, when these cracks aren’t addressed immediately, they can worsen over time. When this happens, it can lead to a wide range of problems including pest infestations and water infiltration.
While it’s impossible to prevent all foundation cracks, there are a few things you can do to minimize the risk. Start by identifying the type of crack you have and determining whether it’s serious.
Hairline Cracks
The most common type of crack in your home’s foundation is a hairline crack. These cracks are thin and short, oftentimes no more than the width of a dime. Hairline cracks are caused by concrete curing and shrinkage, and they typically don’t pose any structural threat. However, they can be an indicator of a larger problem, so it’s important to keep an eye on them over time.
Slab Settlement
When a new home’s foundation slab develops settlement issues, it’s usually a sign of poor workmanship or soil conditions around the building site. In this case, it’s important to call in a professional right away.
Seasonal Temperature Changes
Foundation wall cracks caused by seasonal temperature changes are called expansion and contraction cracks. They form when the concrete expands or contracts depending on the weather outside. These cracks aren’t as serious as other types of cracks, but they should still be monitored and repaired as needed.
Bowing Foundation Walls
If you notice that your foundation walls are bowing inward, it’s a serious problem and shouldn’t be ignored. These cracks can be caused by backfill soil becoming overly compressed or by hydrostatic pressure from the wet ground against your foundation.
While these types of cracks aren’t always the most severe, they should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid further damage. If you don’t want to wait until a problem develops, consider having a professional seal these cracks as well as other areas of your home that can provide entry points for pests such as gaps around doors and windows. A qualified professional can use a variety of products to block these entry points such as weather stripping, steel wool, and mesh screens to prevent pests from entering your home.
Utility Lines
Pests love to hide in the darkest corners of your home and will crawl into even the smallest opening. They can also slip through cracks in the walls and ceilings, as well as under doors or windows. This is why it is important to inspect your property regularly for potential pest entry points and take steps to prevent them.
Rodents and pests are seeking warmth, shelter, and food as they prepare to head indoors for the winter, which makes your home a prime target. The good news is, there are simple ways to make your home less appealing to pests.
The more you do to prevent pests from entering, the more likely you are to avoid costly repair work and ongoing pest control services. The key to successful prevention is a systematic approach that seals entry points and minimizes attraction.
Commercial facilities face unique challenges when trying to keep pests out. Rodents and pests can cause significant damage that can disrupt normal operations. Cockroaches, for example, can contaminate products and create health risks, while rodents can chew on electrical wiring and disrupt power flow.
Keeping pests out of the workplace is essential to maintain productivity and ensure a safe environment for employees and patrons. A pest problem can quickly spiral out of control, especially if it goes untreated, so prevention is the best option.
Some of the most common entry points for pests in commercial buildings include floor drains, which provide cockroaches with open access to your building; ventilation intakes, which are popular places for birds to perch and nest; and incoming and outgoing shipments, which can bring in cockroaches, beetles, brown recluse spiders, stink bugs and centipedes.
The best way to reduce these entry points is by ensuring that deliveries are properly sealed and inspected for signs of pests. In addition, installing rodent-proof vent covers can help prevent pests while allowing for proper airflow.
For construction activities, it is a good idea to consult a professional before beginning any excavation to locate underground utility lines and ensure that you are digging safely. Additionally, it is critical to contact 811 before starting any project that may impact a utility line. This service is free, and it can protect you from costly repairs and potential injury.
Doors
Doors connect buildings with the outside, but they also serve as a primary entry point for pests. Rodents in particular can gain access to facilities through doors that are not properly sealed. Luckily, this can be easily fixed by making sure that the doors have proper seals and sweeps, and by inspecting and servicing these areas regularly.
A common entry point for rodents is personnel doors, which are subject to the most wear and tear due to repeated use. These can be closed and opened repeatedly, which leads to gaps and cracks forming around the door threshold. Since a rat only needs about a half-inch of space to enter a facility, it’s essential that these doors are carefully examined during pest inspections and that they are equipped with appropriate door sweeps.
Similarly, garage doors should be inspected frequently and all doors should be equipped with a metal rodent guard. These guards are designed to prevent rodents from chewing their way into the garage and entering through the door. This prevents the need for additional sealants, which will reduce maintenance costs and extend the life of the garage door.
Overhead doors also require special attention. Because these doors are open frequently to allow trucks to unload and load cargo, they can be exposed to the elements for extended periods. Consequently, they should be fitted with high-density brush sweeps or stainless steel enveloped seals on all four sides to prevent pests from infiltrating the warehouse through these openings.
Vents and chimneys are another potential source of pest infiltration. Termites and birds often find themselves nesting in these structures, especially if they are located close to the house. To avoid this, make sure to keep firewood away from these areas and inspect chimneys for holes caused by woodpeckers looking for a place to roost.
Lastly, window frames should be inspected frequently for cracks and crevices where pests can hide in wall voids. These should be caulked or otherwise sealed as needed. This will reduce the amount of pests entering a home and allow residents to enjoy a more comfortable living environment without the threat of unwanted visitors.
Dryer Vents
The dryer vent is a system that safely moves heat and moisture from the laundry room to the outside. But bugs see it as an ideal spot for habitation. After all, it’s usually cool/hot at the right time of day, not cluttered with stuff, and people don’t check it often enough to shoo away the insects. This provides the perfect place for cockroaches, spiders, and other pests to stow away, and a convenient entrance into your home.
If you have a loose, unscreened dryer vent, pests can simply crawl in through the opening, even if it’s just a few inches wide. But a good screen can prevent this, so check yours regularly and replace it when necessary. You can also install a vent cover with a rodent-proof mesh to make it more difficult for pests to enter, and you can seal any gaps around the vent where it connects to your home’s exterior using caulk or weather strip.
While you’re inspecting your dryer vent, check the ductwork leading to it as well. A gap here is another entry point for pests, and it’s not hard for rodents to chew their way through. This is a serious fire risk, so it’s important to fix this quickly.
If you have a soft foil-style dryer vent that leads to the wall duct, get rid of it and replace it with a semi-rigid aluminum elbow vent. This will help prevent fires and make it easier to clean and sanitize. And don’t forget to regularly clean the vent and hose of lint, especially after each use. This is a critical step in helping to prevent house fires, and it’s easy enough that most homeowners can handle it themselves. However, if you have concerns about your ability to do this yourself or are worried about the health risks, call in a professional. They’ll be able to provide you with the best advice for keeping your house safe. They’ll also be able to tell you about any other areas of your home that need improvement. This is one of the most important things you can do to keep your home healthy and safe for your family.