Friday night lights are back, Halloween decorations are popping up, and cooler evenings are settling in. But this season also brings a less-welcome tradition: critters looking for a warm place to stay.

That’s why many homeowners schedule their semiannual pest control service in late summer or early fall. It’s also the perfect time to take some simple steps to make your home less inviting to unwanted guests.

A little preventive maintenance goes a long way:

• Seal gaps and cracks. Use a mirror to check under siding for openings. Fill gaps with copper mesh, then seal with latex caulk or foam.
• Check windows and doors. Apply adhesive-backed weather stripping around doors, windows, and basement sashes.
• Schedule an inspection. Pest control experts can spot entry points, identify seasonal pests, and explain what to watch for as the weather changes.
• Clean and declutter. A deep fall cleaning is just as valuable as spring cleaning. It helps reduce hiding spots for pests and makes it easier to keep things tidy during the winter months.
• Don’t feed the invaders. Seal all food tightly, clean up spills, and avoid leaving anything edible out. Rodents and insects are drawn to even the smallest food sources.
• Let spiders do their job. As hard as it may be, resist squishing every spider. Many harmless house spiders quietly keep your home free of smaller pests.
• Eliminate standing water—moisture attracts pests.
• Cut back tree branches that touch the house—these can act as bridges.
• Seal cracks and small openings near the foundation.
• Store firewood and building materials away from the home—pests love wood piles.

September also marks the season when copperheads are born. These baby snakes are venomous from day one, usually born in groups of 8–10, and keep their greenish-yellow tail tips for about a year. They aren’t aggressive, but they will bite if stepped on or touched.

Be careful when reaching under bushes, rocks, flowerpots, or even toys and pet dishes. Copperheads like damp, hidden spaces—exactly the spots we tend not to think about.

For more resources on pest prevention and other homeowner topics, visit HouseLogic.com at www.houselogic.com. It’s a consumer resource from local and national Realtors® that goes beyond buying and selling to cover everyday homeownership.