M&M Pest Control urges East Texas homeowners to seal up before winter

The Palestine-based pest control company is warning Anderson County and nearby homeowners to close off entry points before hard freezes drive rodents and wildlife indoors. The fall push is meant to prevent attic damage, chewed wiring and frozen pipes that can follow once animals settle in for the season.

Why it matters: - East Texas homeowners face a seasonal rush of rodents, wildlife and insects looking for warmth before the first hard freeze. - Entry-point sealing can help prevent attic damage, contaminated insulation, chewed wiring and burst-pipe risk. - M&M Pest Control says fall is the best time to block access before animals settle in and before removals become more complicated.

What happened: - M&M Pest Control, based in Palestine, Texas, is urging homeowners in Anderson County and surrounding East Texas communities to seal vents, gaps and utility openings now. - The company says the advisory is aimed at keeping mice, rats, opossums, raccoons, squirrels and insects out before winter weather arrives. - Owner Cliff McBroom said the goal is to find openings in the fall and close them before winter problems grow.

The details: - M&M Pest Control says inspection and exclusion work should focus on rooflines, eaves, soffits, gable vents, fascia boards, foundations, crawl-space vents and access doors. - Technicians also check gaps around plumbing, air conditioning lines, electrical service, cable entry points, garage doors and chimneys. - Soffit and gable vents need durable screening and covers, not simple closure, so attic airflow continues while animals stay out. - Soft materials such as expanding foam, thin plastic and loose screening can fail against rodents; metal mesh, durable screening and exterior-grade sealants hold up better. - Plumbing penetrations and small foundation gaps are frequent weak points that can let rodents into walls and floor systems. - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that a mouse can squeeze through a hole about the size of a nickel and a rat through one about the size of a half dollar. - M&M Pest Control removes active rodents and wildlife before sealing openings so animals are not trapped inside walls or attics. - The company’s rodent control service combines inspection, trapping, removal and sealing. - The company’s wildlife control service handles squirrels, bats, skunks, opossums and raccoons through humane trapping and relocation in line with local regulations, followed by barriers and chimney caps. - M&M Pest Control says attic damage often includes trampled insulation, torn ductwork, chewed wiring and contamination from droppings and urine. - Rodent activity can also strip pipe wrap and increase fire risk through chewed wiring. - Fall sealing also helps reduce entry for ants, spiders, cockroaches and scorpions that seek warmth and moisture indoors. - Homeowner warning signs include scratching in walls or attics, droppings, gnawed wood, damaged packaging, torn insulation, damaged vent screens, unusual odors and disturbed soil near crawl spaces. - M&M Pest Control says homeowners can help by trimming overhanging limbs, moving firewood and debris away from the foundation, storing pet food and birdseed in sealed containers, and replacing worn weather stripping and door sweeps.

Between the lines: - The company is tying pest prevention to property protection, not just nuisance removal. - The message is also about timing: once wildlife gives birth in attics or walls, removal gets slower and more invasive. - East Texas homes with wooded lots and pier-and-beam foundations face added exposure because animals have easier access to crawl spaces and sheltered gaps. - The advisory connects pest damage to plumbing problems because insulation loss and open vents can expose pipes to freezing air during a cold snap. - M&M Pest Control is using the warning as both a service pitch and a seasonal reminder to act before winter weather turns a manageable inspection into an emergency.

What's next: - Homeowners who want an inspection can schedule one with M&M Pest Control before cold weather sets in. - Appointments are typically confirmed 24 to 48 hours in advance. - The company says technicians will inspect for entry points, nesting areas and conditions that attract pests, then explain the recommended plan and provide a summary of findings after the work is complete. - M&M Pest Control serves Palestine and nearby communities including Elkhart, Frankston, Grapeland, Montalba, Neches, Jacksonville, Rusk, Athens, Crockett and Tyler. - More information is available on the company's website.