For many of us, that means bringing out the warm blankets, sealing up the windows and foraging kindle for wood-burning fires.

The same signal is received by insects, pests, and rodents and they seek shelter and warmth to survive the upcoming winter.

Mice, squirrels and warm-blooded rodents aren’t very good houseguests and can cause structural damage by gnawing on wood and wires in your home. This is a nuisance and also a potential danger to your family with disease and electrical fires.

Cockroaches and spiders scurry into crevices to seek refuge in the insulated spaces of the walls of your home.

Here are some suggestions by The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) to pest-proof your home this fall:

• Inspect and install door sweeps on exterior doors
• Seal cracks and openings, especially around pipes and utility outlets
• Keep moisture away from the foundation and remove any standing water
• Trim shrubbery and store firewood 20 feet away from home

If you believe you have a pest infestation in your home, contact West Termite, Pest & Lawn for a free inspection to identify the problem.