Tips for keeping your home pest-free this fall

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Autumn is a wonderful time of year — leaves show brilliant colors, there’s a refreshing crispness in the air — but, unfortunately, more bugs and rodents are finding their way into your home.

As the season changes, insects and other critters are searching for places to hunker down for the cold weather and scoping out new food sources.

A recent survey conducted on behalf of Tomcat found 73 percent of consumers said they would do whatever it takes to get rid of rodents.

More 21 million households see rodents in their homes every winter, and more than 60 million households experience insects indoors. Insects and rodents can be a real health hazard, bringing dirt and diseases into your house.

While everyone is spending more time at home, they’re also noticing signs of unwanted visitors in their homes more than ever before.

Why wait to discover evidence of pests in your home to take action? If you wait until you see one insect or rodent, there are likely many more already lurking in the nooks, crannies — and walls — of your home. The best way to deal with these unwanted intruders is to be proactive, and keep them out of your house in the first place.

To help you better prepare to prevent bugs and rodents from entering your home this fall, here are some tips:

1. Keep your home clean Inside:

• Clean up food crumbs or spills promptly. Avoid leaving pet food out overnight.

• Store food in containers that can’t be chewed through. Especially pet food.

• Use a trash can with a lid in the kitchen.

• Keep pipes and drains in good repair, as bugs and critters also need sources of water.

• Clear out piles of debris, newspapers or cardboard that could be used by rodents for nesting material in garages, attics or basements where rodents might take up residence.