Ready for Fall? 5 Top Tips

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Roof repairs: If you can safely get onto your roof to inspect for missing shingles or other factors that may lead to a leaky roof, now’s the time to do it!  If not, call in a professional organization and have them take care of the rooftop work for you.  Here are some local companies that you might consider:  http://www.metroroofing.com/ http://www.dunriteroofing.com/ to name a couple.  The best way to get a great roof is to get a roof referral from a neighbor or friend.  You’ll get the best information that way.

Seal It Off: Inspect doors and windows to ensure that the weather-stripping is in good condition.  This will keep your house warmer and cozier in the winter months.  www.homedepot.com and www.lowes.com are good places to shop as well as your local hardware store.

Hot Stuff: Make sure that your heater and ventilation systems are in good working order!  Clean out accessible ducts and replace filters where necessary.  This is the most overlooked item on the list because people forget how important it is to maintain your heater.

Chimney Sweep: Creosote, a black substance that builds up in the chimney when wood is burned, can cause chimney fires.  Inspect your chimney for creosote and call a chimney sweep to keep your fireplace safe and functional.

Gutter Check: Now’s the time to clean out those rain gutters again!  If you want to do it yourself, make sure that you can safely access the gutters and then scoop out any debris, blast the drains clean with a high-powered hose, and repair any leaks you may find along the way.  There are many great sites on line to show you the best way to do this but one of the ones that keeps coming up is http://www.ehow.com/how_2418_clean-gutters.html

Do-It-Yourself Pest Control

Do-It-Yourself Pest Control Tips

A pest is not just a word that’s used to describe an annoyance; in fact, it’s also the term given to a destructive animal that destroys crops, food and even livestock.  Whether you have a garden that has become a hot spot for neighborhood pests or you simply want to keep them from entering your home, it’s important to keep in mind several do-it-yourself pest control tips.

Spruce Up Your Space

One of the most attractive places for a pest is that which is filled with food.  Ants love anything sweet, including sugar, so make sure that any spills are cleaned up completely.  It’s equally important to keep your food containers and bags sealed properly to avoid a problem.

Landscape Designs That Pests Hate

If you have weeds in your lawn, remove them to avoid attracting pests.  Additionally, pay close attention to the plants and/or flowers that you use in your landscaping as certain types tend to attract pests, while others repel them.  For specifics, ask a local gardening professional or a representative from your local home improvement gardening center.

The Buzz On Mosquito Control

Nobody likes mosquitoes, but they are still a part of life and it’s important to deal with them.  You may not be able to rid your entire yard of these nuisances, but you can make it a place where they are not welcome.  One way of doing this is to remove anything that could result in standing water, which attracts mosquitoes.  Remove old flower pots, tires or anything else that could be a place for water to gather.  Not only is this a health concern as mosquitoes often carry diseases, but it’s also a good way to clean up the yard.

Home Repair

If you know that pests are getting into your home, the next logical step is to find out how.  Once you locate the entry point, repair the area so that it no longer allows for outside intruders to enter your home.  If you notice cracks, holes or other needed repairs, make sure that they are corrected to prevent future pests from setting up shop in your space.

Pest Control Products

In some cases, homeowners are forced to deal with pests by using products designed specifically for the purpose of pest control.  These products, which are commonly available at any retail and/or home improvement store, should be used as directed in order to prevent harm to yourself, your family and your pets.  It’s important to keep all pest control products locked in a cabinet and out of reach of children.   Here’s some handy sites that you might want to check out. http://www.doityourselftermitecontrol.com/ Personally, I would hire this done because I don’t know everything about termites.  But if it saves you money and it is not dangerous, I would go for it. Spiders are another pest that really get you in the Spring and some are very dangerous.  http://doyourownpestcontrol.com/spiders.htm You can also go to your local Home Depot http://www.homedepot.com/or Lowe’s  store http://www.lowes.com and ask them what works best for your area.

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