When the temperatures start to drop, various pests will try to take refuge in your home. Your home offers all the resources they need to overcome the harsh weather. Don’t put your home and health at risk by staying on the lookout for pests throughout winter. Here are the common pests to be on the lookout for during winter.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches have a bad reputation. They cannot survive in cold weather and prefer living in areas close to moisture and food, so homes become the perfect habitat. Cockroaches usually hitchhike indoors through grocery bags, secondhand items, boxes, sewage lines, or open doors. Once inside, they mostly become bound for your bathroom or kitchen. Cockroaches can contaminate food and spread disease-causing microorganisms. Cockroach allergens can cause allergies and aggravate asthma symptoms, particularly in children. Make sure you check all of your doors for cracks where cockroaches might enter from. Also check any bags that you bring in from outside, even grocery bags. Taking time to double check for these pests can prevent damage to your home.
Spiders
Although spiders are year-round pests, their presence tends to increase during winter. Spiders prefer spinning webs in untouched areas, like attics, basements, crawl spaces, and closets. Although most spiders that find their way into your home might be harmless, Brown Recluse Spiders, if disturbed, can bite and inject their venom, causing severe illness. Spiders are easy to prevent if you take the right steps. For example, before each summer or winter, make sure you spray for them. Hire a professional pest control company to use the right products to keep spiders at bay during all seasons.
Rodents
Rodents are among the leading pests to enter homes when the temperatures drop. Although they are bigger than bugs, they’re good at hiding. They usually hide in dark areas like basements and attics. Rodents might first become interested in your home due to trash or other food smells. During winter, they’ll try getting into your home to remain warm. Since they’re bigger, you may notice droppings, scratching sounds, or even spot them at some point. It’s crucial you seek pest control solutions to keep these pests out to avoid the risk of rabies or other infections that you and your pets might contract from a bite or getting exposed to disease-causing microorganisms they carry. This might be more of a concern if you live in the country or a rural area, like a farm. Also, mice might increase the risk of structural damage and electrical fires by gnawing on drywall and wires. Make sure all the cracks leading into your attic are sealed. This can be a major entry point for these types of pests. They can climb up trees and enter your home through cracks between your roof and attic. Hire a roofing company before winter hits in order to prevent this problem.
Termites
If you’re experiencing a termite problem, the cold weather may not do much to fix it. Although termites’ activity slows down during winter, termites continue eating through the wood to prevent the colony from becoming extinct. If you need to repair termite damage, cold weather may not suit the project. Always be on the lookout for signs of termites around your home. Check any exposed wood for damage. The sooner you can catch your termite infestation, the less damage they will do to your home. Contact a pest control company at the first sign of these pests.
Carpenter Ants
Ants can find their way into your home through tiny cracks or holes or outdoors items like flowers or plants. Like a regiment of soldiers, carpenter ants work as a team to achieve their goals. Syrup, sugar, and pet food are some of their favorite foods. Despite their small size, carpenter ants can cause a lot of trouble. They can tunnel through wood, causing considerable damage. Moreover, ants can worsen allergy symptoms.
Ticks
Ticks are fairly common pests during the summer, but they can also become problems during the winter. If you live in rural areas, you might be more likely to come across ticks from time to time. If you have a dog, make sure you check them for ticks after they have been outside. They can bring these pests into your home and put you at risk. Prevention is the best policy when it comes to ticks during any season.
Beetles
Beetles are another tiny, yet dangerous pest that can be common to find during winter. They will want to retreat to your warm home as protection from the cold and snow outside. Like cockroaches, they can easily enter through any small cracks in your windows or doors, so make sure you check these frequently and seal them up. Another common place to find them in your home is your dryer, so always do a quick inspection before using it. Beetles can be difficult to get rid of once there is a problem, so they will need to be taken care of by a professional pest control service.
Although home pests are common during summer, numerous pests can enter your home and cause trouble during winter. Winter pests search for two things- warmth and food. Ensure you seal food in glass or plastic containers and clean any food debris immediately. If you need further help identifying or treating pests in your home this winter, keep in contact with a pest control company near you.
