A Chill In The Air Drives Pests Indoors months, homeowners may be AWA be IN, a ane ‘ah, hy Min (NAPSA)—During the colder can cee i unaware that they are sharing = their warm, cozy abode with some unsuspected squatters—pests. Indian meal moths, ants, mice, spiders and termites may all be nesting indoors. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), when temperatures begin to fall, an estimated 21 million pests head inside every year because their food sources are less accessi- ble and they cannot adapt to the cooler weather. More than a nuisance, these household pests can trigger allergies and asthmaattacks, spread diseases, transmit bacteria and contaminate food. They can also compromise the value of a home by gnawing through electrical Whenthe temperaturesfall, many types of harmful and annoying pests look for a way to share your warm and cozy home. enter the home, using caulk and/or steel wool. e Store food in airtight con- wires that can create fire hazards, as well as chewing through sup- tainers and dispose of garbage regularly. Keep attics, basements and structural stability. Pests find ways into homes by dry. Replace loose mortar and port beams and drywall, risking hitching rides on the items brought in, such as firewood, packages and even on Fido. They also gain entry through small cracks and crevices in the structure’s exterior. Luckily, there are many ways homeowners can prevent these unwanted guests through effective pestproofing measures. NPMA and www.pestworld.org offer the following tips on pest- proofing the home: Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens. crawl spaces well ventilated and weatherstripping around the basement foundation and windows. e Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains, that provide the perfect breeding site for pests. Inspect items such as boxes, grocery bags and other packages brought into the home. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and keep shrubbery trimmed and cut back from the house. e If you suspect a pest infesta- tion in your home, contact a Screen vents and openings to chimneys. licensed pest professional to inspect and treat the pest problem. For more information on pest- areas where utilities and pipes issues, visit www.pestworld.org. Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home, including proofing and other pest-related
