The One Winter Task You're Forgetting That's Letting Bugs Into Your Home

Winter is the time to stay inside and keep out of the elements with cozy blankets, books, and plenty of heat. But just as your house is an inviting place for you to keep warm, it's also an appealing option for pests. As you probably know, dealing with these unwelcome guests can be incredibly frustrating. Thankfully, keeping pests out can be as simple as insulating your pipes. 

Sealing up your house is important for keeping bugs out during the winter. Most people stay on top of patching up any cracks or gaps in their windows, bottoms of doors, and so on. However, you might skip your pipes. If they're not actively leaking, there shouldn't be a problem, right? Not so fast. Exposed piping is an attractive entry point for pests because cold water pipes produce condensation on their surfaces. It might be a small amount of liquid to us, but insects like earwigs, silverfish, and even cockroaches can survive by drinking these droplets. 

Luckily, insulating pipes isn't that difficult.  All you need to do is measure them and purchase insulating material like foam tubing or heat tape, which can be found at your local hardware store. Then, wrap them around your pipe and eliminate any gaps in the covering. Don't forget to check on any lines in your garage and, yes, even your crawl spaces. These may not be the easiest to deal with, but it's better than letting bugs inside. 

After your pipes are properly insulated, you can look forward to additional benefits besides just keeping out pests. By reducing moisture build-up, insulation prevents structural or mold issues from water dripping onto wood and drywall. It's also one way to stop your pipes from freezing. Frozen pipes can cost thousands of dollars in damage because as the water inside them freezes, it begins to expand and can cause them to burst. 

Insulated pipes also make your home more energy efficient. After all, it's hard for liquid to stay hot inside of cold pipes. With insulation, you reduce heat loss and might find that your water gets hotter than before. It's a great way to slash your utility bill, especially during winter when it's likely going to be higher than normal. So what are you waiting for? Get to it before the first snowfall and you'll be in great shape to tough out the winter!