8 Steps to Take Before Leaving Your Home for the Season
Before you lock up your home for a winter or seasonal move south, taking a few hours to pest-proof your property can save you thousands of dollars in remediation costs.
If you don’t have time before your departure, Hudson Home Watch can handle this to help you out.
- Purge the Pantry
- Remove all perishable food items, cereal boxes, baking goods, and pet food from cabinets and pantries.
- Store any remaining dry goods (like rice, pasta, or sugar) in thick, airtight plastic or glass containers with locking lids.
- Deep Clean Kitchen Surfaces
- Wipe down all countertops, appliances, and cabinet interiors to remove grease, crumbs, and sticky residues.
- Pull out the refrigerator and stove to vacuum away hidden food particles.
- Clear and Disinfect Trash Cans
- Wash them out with a bleach solution to remove lingering food odors.
- Remember, this is something Hudson Home Watch can do for you during our first visit if you can’t get to it.
- Trim Back Trees and Bushes
- Cut back tree branches so they are at least 6 feet away from your roofline and gutters.
- Trim shrubs and bushes so they do not touch the siding or foundation, taking away the natural bridges for insects and squirrels.
- Seal Foundation and Utility Gaps
- Inspect the exterior foundation for cracks and fill them with silicone caulk or concrete patch.
- Stuff stainless steel mesh or copper mesh (like scrubbing pads) around exterior pipe entries (like AC lines or dryer vents) and secure it with foam sealant.
- Inspect Door Sweeps and Windows
- Replace worn weatherstripping and damaged door sweeps on all exterior doors, including the garage door.
- Ensure there aren’t any holes in window screens and windows are completely latched shut.
- Manage Exterior Trash and Firewood
- Move firewood piles at least 20 feet away from the house and elevate them off the ground. Firewood is a primary nesting ground for ants and mice.
- Ensure outdoor trash bins are empty, thoroughly washed, and stored securely inside a garage or shed.
- Schedule Hudson Home Watch Services
(Traps and electronic deterrents can only do so much).
- Having Hudson Home Watch physically walk your property on a regular schedule ensures that even if a pest manages to breach your defenses, they are discovered and removed before establishing a colony – aka a residence in your beautiful home!