Conducive Pest Conditions

The best way to deal with large, outdoor cockroach species is to limit the potential harborages for them near the home and to seal as many cracks and holes in the home's exterior as possible. Move firewood away from the house, store it off the ground and cover it with plastic to keep it dry. Discard piles of lumber, bricks, etc. Minimize the use of heavy ground cover like ivy near the house. Keep layers of pine needle mulch to about 2 inches deep and keep mulch at least 12 inches from the foundation. If the problem persists, consider using a professional to apply treatments, such as baits, to lower the cockroach population on the property.

If you live by a field or in the woods, it is likely that you will always have to deal with mice every fall and winter. Your best strategy is to seal as many openings and holes in the exterior walls as possible and to put weatherstrips on the bottom of all doors, especially the garage door, to prevent mice from entering. If you can stick a pencil through a crack or hole, a mouse can squeeze through it. Place live traps inside the garage on either side of the doorway to catch mice and rats as they enter. Check the traps often. Make sure all foundation and attic vents have 1/4-inch hardware cloths tightly fitted over the opening and do the same for any turbine vents in the roof. Trim all tree branches at least 10 feet from the roof.