# Green Pest Control to Prevent Winter Pest Infestations

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/02/green-pest-control-to-prevent-winter-pest-infestations/
- Published: 2013-02-15T00:13:15-05:00
- Author: greenguruguides

This post was contributed by [Eden Advanced Pest Control](https://www.westernexterminator.com/about/acquisitions/eden-pest/),
the leading integrated pest management company in Western Washington and Oregon 
and serves both residential and commercial customers.

As a green pest control company, we understand the delicate balance between respect
for the environment and revulsion for disease-ridden pests. For instance, we appreciate
the important ecological role of spiders, but that doesn’t mean we give them free
reign inside our homes. We also realize the dangers of traditional [pest control](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/09/homeowners-guide-to-eco-friendly-pest-control/);
for the health of both the environment and families, noxious pesticides are a means
of last resort for any eco-friendly Portland pest control service. Below, we discuss
some of the most commonly found winter pests in the Pacific Northwest, along with
green pest control solutions for keeping them out of your home or business.

Winter Pests in the Pacific Northwest
 Here are the most commonly found winter pests,
along with the dangers they pose:

• Rodents carry disease and gnaw through everything from pipes to electrical wire.
•
Spiders and snakes are just plain creepy, although very few are venomous. • Birds
and [bats](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/06/protecting-bats-from-wind-energy/)
can cause major damage by nesting in chimneys, attics and eaves. • Cockroaches carry
diseases and ruin anyone’s appetite. • Ants may still be active in the winter, since
Pacific Northwest temperatures rarely dip below freezing. Some ants are unsanitary
kitchen companions; others may actually bore through your home’s structural support,
resulting in costly damage.

Fortunately, you don’t need pesticides to bar these creatures from your abode. A
good understanding of their biological needs can allow you to achieve excellent 
pest control without the need for blanket applications of chemicals. Earth-friendly
techniques for preventing pest infestations this winter include:

 1. Eliminate entry points by sealing your home.

Mice can squeeze through a cranny as small as a dime in diameter. Ants are happy
to exploit any winterization weaknesses. And birds and bats will set up camp under
your roof if you let them. To prevent pest infestations, seal up cracks in your 
home’s exterior. Caulk around window frames. Install door sweeps. Examine vents,
gutters and doors, and eliminate as many openings as possible. Block nesting animals
by installing spikes or a bird stop. These steps make it much harder for pests to
enter your home in the first place. Finally, knock down any spider webs you find;
this will discourage them from setting up shop in the same place. If any of these
tasks seem overwhelming, consider hiring a Portland pest control service to do it
for you.

 1. Remove potential pest food.

A clean house is a pest-free house. Ants, rodents, cockroaches and other pests are
drawn to homes that offer them a free buffet of crumbs and other food scraps. Sweep
out your cabinets; keep your floors and counters spic and span; and make sure all
food stores are kept in airtight containers. Also, eliminate any standing water 
on your property. Pests, like all living creatures, need a dependable supply of 
water, and eliminating stagnant pools will also decrease mosquito populations in
the springtime.

 1. Favor anti-pest landscaping.

Create a plant-free zone around the outside of your home; this will cut back on 
the places where pests can build their nests. If possible, keep a gravel ring around
your home’s perimeter, as mulch and soil are much more likely to harbor pests. Store
firewood away from inhabited buildings, and avoid leaving it in contact with the
ground. Termites and [carpenter ants](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/04/how-to-get-rid-of-carpenter-ants-in-your-garden/)
are less liable to infest firewood piles that are elevated off the earth.

If, after taking all of these steps, you’re still suffering from unwanted pests,
it’s time to call a local green pest control company. In addition to examining your
home for the pest attractions listed above, a pest control professional can also
apply non-toxic sprays that will eliminate the pests in question while posing no
harm to your family.