As summer gives way to cooler weather and winter looms, pests are eager to find warm refuge, which puts your vacation property at risk of becoming their new home.
As you prepare to shut down your cottage for the season, Orkin Canada, a national leader in pest control, has some vital tips to help you keep unwanted pests at bay.
- Cut off water access: Shut down the water supply to your property and clear out the gutters to prevent leaks and moisture that can lure in pests.
- Safeguard your mattresses: Remove bedding and position mattresses upright to deter rodents and other pests from making a home in them.
- Inspect doors and windows: Frequently update screens, door sweeps, and weather stripping to keep pests from getting inside.
- Clear out food: Throw away any leftover food to stop hungry pests from being drawn in during the winter.
- Prune vegetation: Maintain a gap between your cottage and surrounding trees and shrubs to reduce potential hiding spots and entryways for pests.
“Usually it’ll be rodents such as mice and rats, you could potentially get squirrels and raccoons, so for areas like that you wanna make sure your chimney is capped,” said Jim Malcho, area manager of Vancouver Island of Orkin.
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