The beginning of winter is often a critical time for the emergence of pest problems. Pests strive for warmth and shelter in your home as the weather cools (and sometimes in your vehicle). Here are some pests to be aware of this winter.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches may appear more often during the winter months due to their inability to survive in low temperatures, particularly if the temperature falls below 15 degrees. As a result, they dig down and reach the spots where they can find more heat in your home. Cockroaches can also transmit a variety of diseases and cause allergies and asthma attacks. They eat almost anything, so you can work to keep them out of your home by maintaining surfaces clean and food stored securely. You can also reach out to cockroach pest control before the start of the winter to keep them at bay.
Rodents
Rats and mice can invade your home at any time of year, but you are likely to notice a rise in rodent issues during the winter easily because they don't want to remain outside. They can fit through gaps the size of a coin, and a single pregnant mouse or rat can start an entire pest infestation. Unfortunately, rats are also serious disease carriers, so if you suspect rat problems in your house, it's best to contact a professional as soon as possible.
Spiders
The cold weather may also raise the number of spiders you encounter in your home. While most of these pests are harmless to humans (with the exception of black widows and brown recluse spiders), their webs can be annoying and their existence unsettling. Getting rid of them could be as simple as whacking them with a shoe or using a bowl to stash them outside, or it may require the services of a pest professional.
Ants
During the winter, ants can sometimes find their way into your home through holes in the wall surfaces or foundation, or through greenery brought in as decorations. If you start seeing a lot of them, one of the very first things you should do is properly clean the area and remove all traces of food as well as the secretions they use to indicate where to locate said food. However, this may not completely eliminate the problem, so it is still advisable to consult with a trained pest control technician.
Don’t let these common pests ruin your winters. Contact a pest control technician today to enjoy the winter season to the fullest!
