Well, howdy neighbors! Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control in Jasper, Georgia.

October brings that crisp mountain air rolling across Pickens County. The leaves are turning vibrant red and gold, local apple orchards in Ellijay are in full swing, and everyone is getting ready for cooler weather. But while we are enjoying sweaters and warm cider, every pest in the North Georgia woods is looking for a warm place to spend the winter.

October is the single most critical month of the year to insect-proof and rodent-proof your property. Taking a couple of hours this weekend to fortify your home stops bugs and critters before they move inside your insulated walls. Here is my practical, down-to-earth October pest-proofing checklist tailored specifically for our mountain homes:

1. Move the firewood away from the foundation: Firewood is essential up here in the foothills, but stacking logs directly against exterior walls creates an immediate sanctuary for mice, wood roaches, termites, and spiders. Elevate your firewood racks and keep them stacked at least 20 feet away from your foundation.

2. Inspect door sweeps and garage weatherstripping: Turn off the garage lights during the middle of the day. If you see daylight beaming in beneath your roll-up garage door or the exterior entryway doors, insects and mice can slip right through. Install heavy-duty rubber sweeps to seal those floor gaps tight.

3. Trim branches clear of the roofline: Cut back tree branches, shrubs, and ivy so they sit at least three to four feet away from your roof, gutters, and siding. Overhanging limbs serve as elevated superhighways for squirrels, roof rats, and carpenter ants.

4. Secure crawlspace vents and exterior pipe penetrations: Walk your home’s foundation line with a flashlight. Look for torn foundation screens or gaps around plumbing and AC conduits. Seal plumbing openings with coarse wire mesh or stainless steel wool paired with exterior-grade caulk.

5. Trade cardboard boxes for airtight plastic totes: Spiders and silverfish feed on the starch-based glues in cardboard boxes. Storing seasonal clothing and fall decorations in sealed plastic bins protects your belongings and denies pests a cozy nesting bed.

Living in the North Georgia mountains means living alongside wildlife, but that doesn’t mean sharing your kitchen and attic with them. At Faith Pest Control, we don’t cut corners or hand you vague all-day appointment windows. We show up on time, treat your home like our own, and back our work with an unmatched guarantee.

If you want a professional team to inspect your home and seal out pests before freezing temperatures arrive, give me a call today at 770-823-9202. Let’s keep those critters outside where they belong!