As temperatures drop, even Florida’s milder winter weather can drive pests indoors in search of warmth and shelter. Three pests that can be found frequently entering homes during this season are cockroaches, silverfish, and ants.
However, by taking precautionary steps and a proactive approach, home and business owners can prevent these pests from entering their structures. As the provider of the best pest control in Tampa, Nvirotect Pest Control Services is ready to equip you with the strategies to enjoy a pest-free season.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches thrive in warm, humid environments. When outdoor temperatures drop, they often seek shelter indoors. These persistent pests are particularly attracted to areas with food, water, and warmth, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
How to Prevent Cockroaches
- Seal Entry Points: Cockroaches can squeeze through even the smallest cracks or gaps. Seal any openings around doors, windows, and utility pipes to prevent access.
- Eliminate Food Sources: Clean up crumbs and spills, and make sure to store food in sealed containers. You should also take care to regularly remove trash and avoid leaving dirty dishes overnight, as these can attract roaches.
- Control Moisture: Fixing leaks and using dehumidifiers in damp areas can make your home less appealing to cockroaches that love moisture.
Silverfish
Silverfish are small, wingless insects commonly found in bathrooms, kitchens, crawlspaces, and attics. They feed on starchy materials like paper, fabric, and even dry foods, and can even cause damage to property in your home or business.
How to Prevent Silverfish
- Reduce Humidity Levels: Silverfish are highly attracted to moisture. Running a dehumidifier and providing consistent proper ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens can help keep humidity down.
- Declutter Storage Areas: Silverfish hide in cardboard boxes, papers, and old clothing stored in less-frequented places in homes and businesses. Regularly decluttering these areas can reduce hiding places and limit their food sources.
- Reduce Attractants: Silverfish are drawn to starchy substances and glues found in books, wallpaper, and boxes. Take care to store items like paper products in sealed containers, and avoid cardboard storage in damp spaces.
- Store Food Properly: Silverfish can easily contaminate dry goods if they make contact with them, so keep items like cereal, pasta, and pet food in airtight containers.
Ants
Ants often enter homes during winter in search of food and a more stable environment. Once inside, they can build nests, which can become difficult to get rid of without professional help from a Tampa pest control service provider like Nvirotect Pest Control Services. Common household ants tend to appear in kitchens and food storage areas.
How to Prevent Ants
- Seal Gaps and Cracks: Just like with cockroaches, sealing entry points around windows, doors, and foundation cracks can limit ant access.
- Practice Food Hygiene: Wipe down counters, store food securely, and clean up food debris immediately after finishing cooking or enjoying a meal. Ants are highly attracted to sugary or greasy foods.
- Eliminate Trails: Ants use scent trails to navigate, so regularly wiping down countertops and floors with a vinegar solution can disrupt these trails and discourage further activity in your home or business.
The Importance of Professional Pest Control
While taking DIY measures can help deter pests to a degree, a professional Tampa pest control service provides thorough and targeted solutions that address all entry points and potential nesting areas. At Nvirotect Pest Control Services, we use eco-friendly techniques to safely and effectively prevent pests like cockroaches, silverfish, and ants from “taking over” your home or business for many seasons to come.
If you would like to take the first step to avoid pests in your home or business this winter, contact Nvirotect Pest Control Services for the best pest control in Tampa. Call us today at 813.968.7031 or easily complete our contact request form for a competitive service quote.