Top Pest Control Tips To Protect Your Home During The Storm

Hurricanes not only bring strong winds and flooding but can also cause pest infestations as displaced creatures seek shelter.

As Hurricane Milton approaches, use these top 9 pest control tips to help protect your home and minimize the risks of pest invasions during and after the storm.

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1. Trim Trees and Shrubs Before the Storm

One of the easiest ways to prevent pests from entering your home is to ensure that no trees or shrubs are touching your house.

Overgrown branches provide a natural bridge for ants, rodents, and other pests looking for shelter.

Trimming these back reduces the chance of pests using them to enter your home during the storm.

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2. Cover Your Toilets if You’re on a Sewer System

If your home is connected to a sewer system, be sure to place something heavy, like wood or a sturdy board, over your toilets.

During floods, rats and other pests can travel through sewer lines and may try to enter your home via the toilet.

This simple precaution can save you from a very unpleasant surprise.

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3. Prepare for Fire Ant Rafts

Floodwaters can displace fire ants, causing them to form floating rafts to survive.

These rafts often end up on higher ground, which could mean inside your house. Be prepared with pest control products like

Raid to kill ants on sight if they invade your home.

Fire ants can be aggressive, and their stings are painful, so be ready to take action.

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4. Safely Handle Snakes

After hurricanes, it’s not uncommon for snakes to seek shelter in homes or yards.

If you encounter a small, nonvenomous snake, it’s safe to pick it up and move it outside.

For venomous snakes, use a broom and dustpan to sweep them out of your home, or call a professional for help.

Don’t attempt to kill them, as this can be dangerous and is typically unnecessary.

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5. Seal Cracks and Gaps Around Your Home

Before the storm hits, take the time to inspect your home for any cracks, gaps, or openings that pests can enter through.

Floodwaters frequently drive pests like roaches, rats, and spiders into homes.

Sealing these gaps can help keep unwanted guests out during the storm.

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6. Keep Bug Spray with DEET on Hand

After the storm, stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Stock up on bug spray with DEET to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites, which can carry diseases.

Mosquito populations tend to spike after hurricanes, so it’s important to be ready.

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7. Clear Yard Debris to Prevent Pests

After a hurricane, your yard may be littered with fallen branches, leaves, and debris.

This can attract pests like rodents, snakes, and insects, as it provides them with hiding places and nesting grounds.

Be cautious when cleaning up, and always wear gloves to avoid coming into contact with stinging insects or venomous creatures.

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8. Store Food in Airtight Containers

Flooding and power outages during hurricanes can disrupt normal pest control efforts.

Make sure your food is stored in airtight containers to prevent pests from getting into your food supply.

This includes pet food, which can attract pests like ants and rodents if left out.

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9. Have a Pest Control Plan in Place

Lastly, it’s essential to have a pest control plan ready for after the storm.

Floodwaters will drive pests out of their natural habitats, and many of them will try to enter your home.

If you don’t already have one, consider working with a professional pest control company like us to help keep your home safe from post-storm infestations.

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Final Thoughts on Hurricane Pest Control

Hurricanes bring enough challenges without having to worry about pest invasions.

By following these top 9 pest control tips, you can protect your home from the onslaught of pests during and after Hurricane Milton.

Stay safe, be prepared, and keep your home pest-free.

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Bonus Pest Control Tip: Create a “Mosquito Bucket of Doom” with Mosquito Dunks

After a hurricane, standing water left behind can quickly become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

One way to combat this is by setting up a “Mosquito Bucket of Doom” using mosquito dunks.

Fill a bucket with water and place a mosquito dunk in it.

The dunks release a natural bacteria that targets mosquito larvae without harming other wildlife or pets.

This can significantly reduce mosquito populations in your yard, helping you avoid an itchy, post-hurricane mosquito invasion.

We also offer Eco-Friendly Mosquito Control.