(ARA) ? As the seasons change and temperatures get cooler, people aren't
the only ones taking refuge inside. Right now, bugs of all shapes and sizes
are trying to find their way into your home.
Pests like to be indoors for the same reasons people do -- warmth, food,
water, and shelter -- and they have any number of ways to get in. According
to the Terminex pest control company, cracks and crevices around your windows
or foundation, and gutters clogged with leaves and debris are the easiest entry
points.
To prevent bugs from getting in through the cracks and crevices, the best
thing to do is spray your home's exterior monthly with a professional grade
spray. To prevent them from making a home in the debris that collects in your
gutters, keep them clear. But that can be difficult, especially if you have
a high-pitched roof a ladder can't easily reach, or live in an area with a lot
of mature trees. Some people need to clean their gutters three, four, or five
times a year to keep them clear, but if you install a closed gutter protection
system like Gutter Helmet, you'll never have to clean them again.
The system installs right on top of your existing gutters, serving as a cover
that prevents leaves and other debris bugs thrive on from getting into the gutters.
Water, however, travels freely, making its way down the roof and into the gutter
channel through a continuous 3/8 inch horizontal opening.
"It's important to keep your gutters clear of debris not just from the
standpoint of stopping the entry point for bugs, but to protect the integrity
of your home's structure as well," says David Skelton of Gutter Helmet.
In addition to contributing to problems with bugs, clogged gutters can lead
to water backup which causes rotten fascia and soffits, mold in attics and crawl
spaces, cracked foundations and landscaping erosion.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, clogged gutters
also contribute significantly to the West Nile epidemic because they provide
a breeding ground for mosquitoes. In 2003, there were 9,862 reported cases of
infection in humans across the United States and 264 deaths.
"There are no statistics on how many of these cases were caused by mosquitoes
breeding in gutters, but I think it's safe to venture that the numbers are high.
People are heeding the warnings to empty out birdbaths, tires and flowerpots,
but no one thinks of going up on the roof to clear their gutters," says
Skelton. "With Gutter Helmet, you don't have to."
The system is capable of handling up to 22 inches of rain per hour -- twice
as much rain as has ever been recorded according to the U.S. Weather Bureau
-- and can sustain deep snowfalls.
In the 25 years Gutter Helmet has been around, the device has been installed
on nearly a half million homes. To find a Gutter Helmet dealer near you, log
on to the company's Web site: www.gutterhelmet.com or call (888) 4-HELMET.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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