Winter is in full-gear, which means you might have stopped worrying about the pest problems you faced during the summer. While you don't have to worry about flies, mosquitoes, and ants during the winter, that doesn't mean you should put your guard down. The fact is that there are still quite a few pests that can wreak havoc on your life during the winter months. Some of them include rats, mice, and spiders. To help keep those pests under control, you'll need to get the upper hand quickly. Here are three steps you can take right now to help keep those pests out of your home.

Plug Up the Holes

When it comes to keeping the pests away, there's one step that you need to take regardless of the season. That step is to plug up any holes that you might have in your home. Even the smallest of holes can provide easy access for pests. Walk around your house and look for small holes, especially along the baseboards, in corners, and deep inside the cabinets. As soon as you locate the holes, plug them up with some latex caulking. If the holes are slightly larger – the size of a quarter – place a small amount of steel wool in the hole and then cover it with the latex caulking. To stay on top of the problem, search your home for new holes about once a week. Plug them up as soon as you find them to keep the pests out of your home.

Make Frequent Use of Your Vacuum

You might not realize this, but your vacuum cleaner can be a great tool in the fight against winter pest problems. Not only will them pick up any spiders they come in contact with, but they'll also remove the crumbs that can attract the pests in the first place. During the winter, be sure to vacuum along the baseboards at least once a week, and use your crevice tool to get rid of the crumbs in your cabinets. Making frequent use of your vacuum can help keep the pests away.

Don't Ignore the Leaves

If you've got leaves left in your yard from the fall, you need to clean them up as soon as possible. The leaves might make a fun place for your kids and pets to play in, but they also provide the perfect hiding place for pests. The best way to keep pests from hiding in your yard is to clean up the leaves as soon as they fall. Not only will you take away the hiding place but you'll also keep your lawn healthy through the winter.

To learn more, contact a pest control company like American Pest Control Inc.