Cold Frame Care Checklist – Pest Control For Beginners

As temperatures cool off, pests in Sacramento and Fresno seek warmth and food sources inside your home – often by sneaking inside through cracks in doors and gaps between floors. By sealing gaps and eliminating attractants now, you can prevent cold-weather pest infestations; just a little effort in autumn may save costly repairs later! To take an active role in winter preparation follow this checklist for proactive winter prevention.

1. Insulation

As winter sets in, it is vital that your home is adequately insulated in order to prevent drafts and save on heating costs. Furthermore, taking steps against pest infestation is also key.

Before undertaking an insulation job, review work orders/specifications documents to determine which areas need insulation, materials (thicknesses), and installation methods required. Also obtain product information and installation instructions from manufacturers.

While performing the job, inspect progress to ensure insulation is being installed as per manufacturer recommendations. Install vapor barriers at penetration points and seal joints and terminations as necessary to minimize moisture intrusion into insulation systems.

Installers using batt-type insulation must use enough insulation batting to fill each stud bay, without overloading or stuffing under/over electrical wires — as this could generate enough heat to cause spontaneous combustion. Be sure to put back any scraps into their respective boxes for size identification or dispose of them responsibly.

2. Watering

Cold frames allow gardeners to start planting early and year-round. But as with any landscape tool, using cold frames requires regular usage – the small tasks done over time add up to create an aesthetically pleasing, healthy landscape that’s resilient against environmental stresses. It is key that irrigation be managed with water conservation in mind, soil amended as necessary and pruned accordingly with long-term health of trees and shrubs in mind; prevention starts by accurately identifying and monitoring pests.