You can probably look at the term “pest exclusion” and make some guesses as to what it might be. We’re all familiar with what it means to be excluded, especially if you’ve ever been a little kid with a big sibling. When you’re excluded, that means you’re on the outside looking in. Pest exclusion is a process by which we exclude pests. Here’s how it works, and why it is so important.

There isn’t a whole lot you can do about bugs and wildlife coming into your yard. The world is filled with critters. And, when those critters come into your yard, they can accidentally–or intentionally–enter your home. The job of pest exclusion is to prevent this.

When wild animals scurry along your exterior walls or squeeze under your deck or porch, it is important that they don’t find any entry points into your home. Since most animals are pretty big, it is usually an easy job to exclude them. All you have to do is cover or fill in the holes in your foundation and exterior walls.

Some of the animals that will try to get into your home are small. Most mice can squeeze through an opening the size of a dime. And, if they find an opening that isn’t quite big enough, they are more than happy to make it larger with their teeth.

When bugs come into your yard, they can explore your home from the bottom to the top. And, it doesn’t take much of a hole for most bugs to squeeze in. If you want to exclude bugs you’re not only going to have to fill in holes, but seal gaps and cracks, and cover openings. This will include an inspection and repair of your screens, weather stripping, and door sweeps.

Sealing all the entry points in your foundation, exterior walls, and roofline is practical pest protection every homeowner can implement, and it is key to long-term pest control success. But it isn’t 100% exclusion. No matter how thorough you are, your home isn’t likely to be pest-free* until you create a complete barrier. This requires the use of pesticides.

Bugs and wildlife can cause painful bites, spread diseases, poison stored food, damaged belongings, and eat away at the structure of a home. No homeowner should settle for anything less than 100% exclusion. And every homeowner should have an educated and experienced professional apply appropriate products year-round to ensure a complete barrier.

If you are in our Macon, Georgia service area, reach out to Active Pest Control. The pest control professionals here at Active Pest Control are educated and experienced and know what is needed to keep pests out. Get your barrier in place today.