In the Triad, we often get rainy, wet seasons that leave properties flooded. Even in drier times, improper drainage, clogged gutters, leaking pipes and other issues can create moisture sources that local pests love to exploit. 

If you’re not careful, you could quickly become a preferred local provider of water for the neighborhood insects and small mammals. Here are a few ways to protect against this.

Eliminate standing water

Is there a pet dish on the porch that you could bring inside? Is there an old bucket or birdbath that has been collecting water and is just part of the landscape of your yard at this point? These are the kind of sources that you can tip over, move, throw away and otherwise eliminate so mosquitoes don’t lay eggs in them and rodents and raccoons don’t visit them. 

If you have a larger body of standing water, like a pond or water feature, which you can’t or don’t want to eliminate, consider getting fish that eat mosquito larvae and taking other precautions to prevent pests taking advantage of the situation. 

Quickly fix water damage

Sometimes a hole in the roof or a busted pipe brings a rush of water into a residence. It is very important to not only stop the source by, for example, fixing the pipe, and to clean up the water, but also to fix the damage. Water-damaged wood invites termites and carpenter ants, who prefer soft or rotting wood. 

Keep an eye on your crawl space

Termites like crawl spaces because of damaged wood. Cockroaches like them because they are damp and dark. Small mammals, like rodents but also foxes and raccoons, like crawl spaces because they are safe and out of the weather. If there is also moisture in these spaces, they become prime real estate with everything pests could want. Monitor moisture in the crawl spaces and prevent access points where animals can enter. 

Get gutter guards to prevent clogs

A major source of pest-friendly moisture is found in gutters that have not been properly cleaned. A build-up of debris can quickly lead to rats and mice setting-up shop in a place with plenty of moisture and nesting material. Gutter guards prevent this by blocking sticks, leaves and other objects from lodging into the gutters in the first place. 

Call Critter Control of the Triad for help with moisture-related pest issues

Mosquitoes, termites, cockroaches, rats, raccoons, foxes and so many other pests need reliable water sources and will happily relocate to a new home if they find it, even if this home is already yours. Fight back by putting Critter Control on the job. We can eliminate any colonies of pests that might already exist on your property and implement preventative measures like gutter guards. Those living in Guilford, Forsyth, Alamance or the surrounding Triad region can call us today for more information at (336) 370-0445.