5 Easy Things You Can Do This Winter to Keep Pests Out
- Tiger Pride Lawn Care
- Jan 22
- 2 min read
When temperatures drop below freezing in Iowa, pests don’t disappear. Instead, they look for warmth, food, and shelter. Unfortunately, that often means making your home their new home. Mice, spiders, ants, and other outside pests can sneak inside using the smallest cracks and crevices in your home’s foundation.
The good news? A few simple steps can make a big difference. Here are five easy things you can do this winter to help keep pests out of your home.
SEE ALSO: 6 Signs You May Have a Pest Problem
1. Seal Small Gaps and Cracks
Pests don’t need much space to get inside. Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime, and insects need even less room.
Take a few minutes to inspect:
Around doors and windows
Foundation cracks
Utility lines and vents
Garage door edges
Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal gaps. This treatment helps prevent pests and can also improve energy efficiency during the colder months.
2. Keep Food Sources Sealed
Even in winter, food is one of the biggest attractants for pests. Inside your home:
Store pantry items in sealed containers
Clean up crumbs and spills promptly
Avoid leaving pet food out overnight
Take trash out regularly
In garages or basements, avoid storing open bags of birdseed or pet food, as they can attract rodents.
3. Reduce Areas of Clutter
Clutter inside your home creates warm, hidden spaces that pests love. Avoid excess by organizing storage areas such as basements, utility rooms, and closets. Outdoors, keep firewood stacked away from the house and off the ground. Clear leaves, debris, and piles of materials near your foundation to help reduce hiding spots where pests can settle in during winter.
4. Avoid Too Much Moisture
Many pests are drawn to moisture, even in colder months. Check for:
Leaky pipes
Dripping faucets
Damp basements
Poor ventilation
Use a dehumidifier and fix minor leaks to make your home far less appealing to insects and rodents looking for water.
5: Don’t Skip Professional Pest Control Services
One of the most overlooked steps is continuing pest control during winter. While activity may slow, pests remain and often hide in walls, attics, or crawl spaces.
Routine winter treatments help:
Stop nesting pests early
Protect your home year-round
A proactive approach now can save you from bigger issues when warmer weather returns.
Take Pride in Protecting Your Home and Keep Pests Out
Winter is the perfect time to get ahead of pest problems rather than react later. With a few simple habits and the right support, you can keep your home protected.
At Tiger Pride Lawn Care & Pest Control, we help Iowa homeowners take pride in a healthier, pest-free home year-round.
