As the temperature outside drops, we cozy up inside our nice, warm houses. Unfortunately, so do insects and rodents. Whether the invaders are as small as an ant or as big as a family of skunks, your best defense against pests is sealing off their entry points into your fortress. Here's what to do:Mice are probably the biggest wintertime pest concern, says New York City–based exterminator and president of Green Earth Pest Control Josh Alpert. A mouse can sneak in through a hole no bigger than a dime, while a raccoon-size creature can enter through a 6-inch opening. When examining your home's exterior walls, experts say to look for light coming through cracks. Also, feel for air movement, which can sometimes point you to a crack you can't see. Your house should be sealed against the elements anyway, points out Guy Hallman, an insect expert for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If it's not, you're wasting energy, not just letting critters in. "Concentrate on weather-conditioning, and that will essentially take care of the insect problem," Hallman says.
Focus on Windows and DoorsThese are the most likely entry points for pests. If you plan on ever leaving your windows or doors open, you should fit them with screens, or check the existing screens for tears. Seal any cracks around windows and door frames with inexpensive caulk or foam. Weatherstripping and door sweeps can seal the moving parts of the door, so make sure it's in good condition.Not every hole should be plugged up. Some are there for a reason, such as the air vents in the kitchen or under the cupboards. If holes are meant to be there, they'll be pretty obvious, he says. "They'll be spaced periodically, maybe every foot or two." Place screens over them to keep critters out.Plants close to the house provide a haven for insects and rodents as they await their chance to dart through an open door. Keep plants 1 to 2 feet away from the house, weeds trimmed to a minimum, and don't let junk collect near the house, Alpert says.Often, Hallman says, holes made during installations or repairs don't get sealed up.
"The assumption is that if the homeowner doesn't see it, it isn't a problem," he says. Dishwasher and washing machine installations are frequent offenders, so it's worth it to pull yours out and check for unsealed spots. Anytime you have plumbing or electrical work done, double-check the job to make sure you aren't left with holes through which pests can enter.Alpert says that one of the best ways to stay on top of pests is to set out glue traps in attics or other pest-prone areas. "A glue board in place at all times serves as a level of protection," he says. And since glue traps will grab both rodents and insects, you'll know what you're dealing with if an infestation starts. Alpert says the more traps you leave out, the better.Pests mount their primary attacks on our homes twice a year, Alpert says—once when the temperature drops at the beginning of winter, and once when it goes up again as summer starts. Weatherstripping can crack and new holes can develop, so you should check your defenses before the temperature changes.
Twice a year is the minimum, says Alpert. "Somebody frightened of bugs should do it as much as possible."Pests are relentless, and despite your best efforts, unwanted critters may sneak into your house and set up camp. Here's what to do if you have an infestation on your hands:You can't fight if you don't know what you're dealing with. If you've caught sight of the pest, a quick Internet search should help you ID it. But sometimes you can see only signs of infestation: a chewed baseboard or a few droppings, for example. If this is the case (or even if you've spotted the invader but can't tell what it is), some pest-control companies allow you to send in photos for professional identification. "People email us pictures of what they've found all the time," Alpert says.Plan a Course of ActionMany pests can be treated with over-the-counter products you can buy yourself, Alpert says. But make sure you know what you're doing before you start spraying. The wrong product can be a waste of money, or worse—instead of getting rid of pests, it could drive them into the walls, where they'll wait only to re-enter your house weeks or months later.
Pest killers are "sort of like prescription medicine," he says. "You need to get the proper diagnosis before you start using them."Know When to Leave It to a ProYou can't beat all invading pests, and it's smart to recognize when to put down the pesticide and pick up the phone. Large, potentially dangerous animals like raccoons should always be handled by a professional (make sure your pest company is licensed in wild animal control, Alpert says). Bedbugs are another one best left to the pros. He says most over-the-counter pesticides with "bedbug" on the label don't kill them effectively. If you're sick, elderly, or have kids or pets, then you might not want to tackle a rodent problem on your own, because they carry disease. And if you're dealing with wood-eating insects like termites or carpenter ants, call a pro immediately. They have insurance that can protect you even if your house sustains severe damage, Alpert says.Manufacturer and Distributor of Quality Aluminum and Vinyl Building Products
What if… you could have a storm door that not only looks beautiful but truly protects your expensive entrance door from the ravages of sun, wind, and rain? What if it could help block the heat from the scorching summer afternoon sun so you can leave your entry door open to enjoy the view without your cooling system working overtime? What if you could leave your entrance door open more often in the winter months to let the light stream in without losing as much of your home’s valuable heat? What if you had a storm door that helps keep unwanted noise from entering your home? You can have all this and more with the all-new QuietVueTM Storm Door from West Window Corporation. The QuietVueTM takes advantage of the same modern insulating glass technology found in our highly energy efficient windows to give you the same outstanding benefits in your home’s storm door. Storm doors are often chosen for their looks alone without regard to their energy efficiency…the QuietVueTM gives you the best of both!
Full 4” wide x 1-1/4” Extruded Tubular Aluminum Main Frame with heavy duty .062” walls. With approximately 18 pounds of aluminum in the main frame alone (3’0” x 6’8” door), the QuietVueTM Storm Door has well over double the weight of a typical aluminum storm door…weight that you can feel when you operate it. The elegant moulded detail on the door face makes the door as visually appealing as it is strong. Insulated Glass models feature SuperSpacer® insulated glass spacer which achieves some of the very best thermal performance ratings in the industry. 5/8” Foam Insulated Laminated Kick Panel with a rigid hardboard outer substrate for better impact resistance and improved energy efficiency. Beautiful Mortise Type Latch with deadbolt for additional security. For added convenience, the deadbolt can be field re-keyed by a locksmith to match your existing Schlage® or Kwikset® entry door lockset. Two Color-Matched Pneumatic Closers for quiet,dependable operation.
Strong Steel Drawbar-Type Corner Gusset with four screws at each frame corner for exceptional frame rigidity. Tough, Durable Enamel Paint Finishes are electrostatically applied for long lasting beauty. Fully Adjustable Extruded Aluminum Bottom Expander utilizes two TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) sweep seals which will not deteriorate or shrink over time, unlike commonly used rubber sweeps. The QuietVueTM is Factory Pre-Hung in a fully weatherstripped extruded aluminum Z-Bar Frame with 5 Oilite Bearing hinges. This is a time-tested and proven hinge design that will keep your door swinging perfectly for many years to come. This cross section of the QuietVueTM Storm Door showing the insulated glass, insulated kick panel, heavy duty aluminum frame and bar, and double sweep expander proves that this is no ordinary storm door. Energy Saving Cardinal LoE2-270TM, LoE2 240TM, and LoE3 366TM tempered safety glass Custom Sizes are available so you can be sure that your new door will fit perfectly – no more “making a standard size fit”.
French-Style Double Doors are available with an astragal bar specifically designed for this purpose. Grids Between the Glass (GBG) are available. Argon gas for insulated glass models increases the glass insulation value. A Style for Every Home Center Frame Bar with Glass top and bottom Glass in top with frame bar and small bottom kick panel Glass in top with center frame bar and kick panel bottom Custom configurations are also available to match your exact needs... contact us for details. Quality that you can feel…The solid brass Mortise Lockset on the QuietVue™ Storm Door is available in a number of popular finishes to complement your entry door hardware. The Mortise Lockset does not need a surface mounted interior strike, providing a rich, “built-in” look for your home’s entrance. Comes complete with a re-keyable deadbolt lock, nylon nose bolt for smooth closing action, and an adjustable strike plate. Model 65 TV (Top View) shown in white with Nickel Finish Mortise Lockset.
A Storm Door for All Seasons Why do I need Cardinal LoE2 Insulated Glass in my Storm Door? The ordinary clear tempered glass found in most storm doors does a good job when it comes to protecting your home from wind and rain, but it does a poor job when it comes to handling the intense heat energy from the sun. A single pane of clear glass in a storm door blocks only 14% of the solar radiation from entering your home as heat (Solar Heat Gain) and allows 71% of the harmful UV radiation to pass through. LoE glass blocks much of this heat and UV which gives you the following benefits: LoE Glass Reduces Heat Build Up between the storm door and entry door which could lead to premature failure of your entrance door’s finish and weatherseals. Helps Keep Your Entrance Door and HandleCooler – no more “too hot to handle” entry door knobs and less heat to radiate through the entrance door into your home. Reduces Solar Heat Gain, which helps minimize the heating of interior surfaces (hardwood or tile floors, for example), reducing the load on your cooling system.