Fall is not the end of pest season.

Insects begin their preparations to “overwinter” so they can emerge next spring and start a new generation, and they often do this in your home.

Insects and rodents are hazardous to your health.

Organisms that cause such diseases as typhus, Lyme disease, West Nile virus and Bubonic plague are transmitted from pests to humans.

Even insect parts can cause allergies.

Insects are destructive to property, causing billions of dollars of damage. Rodents have been linked to almost 25 percent of all unexplained fires in the country.

Today’s pest control is a combination of chemical and non-chemical methods and a collaborative effort between the professional pest manager and the homeowner.

It’s common sense to protect your health and property from insects and rodents.

It’s important to know and recognize infestation signs so pests can be dealt with before they’re out of control, causing serious and costly damage to your home.

Following are recommendations to help keep pests from making themselves at home in your home:

- Store garbage pails in dry places, not moist, dark areas like under the kitchen sink; empty often and keep clean.

- Don’t keep old newspapers and paper bags for extended periods. Recycle often.

- Inspect plants for pests before bringing indoors.

- Transfer dry food products to airtight containers; keep cupboards clean.

- Inspect for possible entry points such as windows, door frames and pipes; caulk or screen areas to seal openings.

Some outdoor tips include:

- Store firewood outdoors, away from the side of the house and off the ground. Shake off logs before bringing inside. Only bring in what you will burn immediately.

- Trim tree limbs so they don’t touch or hang over the house.

- Prevent leaves from accumulating in gutters or outside drains.

- Minimize exterior lights on buildings.

Insects aren’t the only things that would like to live in your house in the winter. Check the attic.

This is the time of year that squirrels go shopping for winter quarters, and your attic may be just the spot for them to set up housekeeping.

- Branches that overhang or are close to roofs should be cut back.

- Check attic openings and vents and seal up any that may permit entry. Any loose flashing or shingles that look vulnerable to attack should be refastened or replaced with hardwood.

A little prevention can avert the headache that comes from the sound of feet going pitter patter over your head.

If bats have been a problem in your attic, check spots where they may be getting in.

Bats enter through spaces where joined materials have pulled away or through louvered vents with loose screening, roof peaks, dormer windows or areas where flashing has pulled away from the roof or siding.

Bats can crawl through holes the size of a quarter.

To cover louvered vents or large gaps and cracks, use window screening or hardware cloth. Fill smaller cracks with expanding foam insulation or caulking compound.

When bat-proofing, timing is crucial. Never seal holes from the months of May through July because you can trap the females and their pups inside.

Although people aren’t thrilled sharing their living quarters with bats, bats make good neighbors. One little brown bat can eat 600 mosquitos per hour, and big brown bats eat many agricultural pests.

Since bats tend to come back to the same place each year, you might want to get a bat box, so they have a safe place to raise their pups and you get the bats out of your house, while still benefiting from their insect control.

“Growing Green” is contributed by Diane Dorn, Lehigh County Extension Office Staff, and Master Gardeners. Information: Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-813-6613