Football season is here, and as we all know, with football comes family, friends, food…and pests. So, whether you’re casually watching the game on your couch or hosting a party with your game day crew, we’re going to share how you can make keeping your home pest-free* a touchdown!

Tip #1: Do Some Basic Pest Proofing

The best offense is a good defense, and doing some simple pest proofing year-round is an effective way to minimize your pest issues.
Here’s how to do it:

Minimize the opportunities for pests to get inside your home. Insects and even larger pests like mice and rats don’t need as much space as you may think! A mice can gain entry through an opening the size of a dime, and rats don’t need much more room; they can make their way through spaces the size of a quarter. If you do find any holes or cracks, it’s critical to seal them as soon as possible!
Inspect items you’re bringing in your home, like gameday decor, shopping bags, or firewood to make sure you’re not bringing in any extra party-goers.
Replace any loose weather stripping around your home.
Inspect your roof or call in a professional to make sure there aren’t any loose shingles or damaged vents that could be serving as pest entry points.

Tip #2: Keep Food in Sealed Containers

This one can be tricky, especially if you’re drawing a crowd, but pests like ants like party foods, too! It’s best to keep your snacks in sealed, airtight containers. Fruit trays can be a common culprit for drawing in pests, too—the pungent smell of ripe fruit will draw in ants and flies faster than you can say “Touchdown!”

Tip #3: Trash Goes in the Trash

Take out any indoor trash regularly to an outdoor garbage can throughout the day. Make sure your outdoor can has a sealed lid to prevent attracting outdoor pests.

Tip #4: Tidy Up the Food Zone

Keep your house clean and free of food particles. Your kitchen will likely be an ant’s favorite room, primarily due to the easy access to food and water a kitchen often provides. Pay close attention to your countertops, floors, pantry, and cabinets. Clean up spills as soon as they happen, and wipe your countertops down thoroughly to prevent a sudden ant infestation.

Tip #5: Call in the Professionals

Preventing pests from crashing your gameday starts with an annual pest prevention plan to ensure you’re covered not only for football season but all the time! Suburban Exterminating’s team of trained professionals will help you identify vulnerabilities in your game before they become a problem. For help choosing the right annual plan for your home, call or text (631/516) 864-6900.