Many people think that warmer months are the only time they have to worry about pests. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. In fact, many of the pests that were outside during the summer suddenly become a bigger problem in winter as they invade your house in search of warmer shelter. Below we’ll talk about some of the most common pests to be on the lookout for this winter.
Mice & Rats
During the winter months when the weather cools off, mice and rats look for warmth indoors. Commonly, you’ll find them invading your basement and attic. They especially love the attic because this is often where they can snuggle up in your insulation to have pups and stay warm.
Rodents can squeeze into very small holes even as tiny as a quarter. One of the most effective things you can do is ensure that you fill up any holes, cracks, or crevices around the outside of your house that could be entry points for pests during the wintertime. It’s also a good idea to seal up air vents and install chimney caps as an added level of protection. Additionally, make sure that your basement and attic are clutter-free to reduce hiding spots and shelter.
Birds & Bats
Birds and bats also like to come out during the wintertime and your chimney is an easy access point for them. It’s a good idea to install chimney caps in order to keep them from nesting in your chimney. Additionally, make sure that your window screens are all intact and inspect them for damage periodically to make sure no pests are working their way through.
Spiders
Spiders aren’t just summertime pests. In fact, they will seek shelter in your warm house during the winter months. To prevent spiders, make sure to seal up any cracks or crevices on the exterior of your home. You also want to ensure your window screens are intact, install sweeps on the bottoms of your doors, and if you have any porch lights close to your door, make sure you keep them free from spider webs. A porch light that’s close to your home is a very short distance for a spider to cross in order to enter your house.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are always on the lookout for food, shelter, and water. They are attracted to moist areas where they will be undisturbed. Make sure that you fill any entry points that cockroaches or any other pest could enter as soon as you notice them. Additionally, repair any leaky pipes and remove any obstructions to keep pipes from bursting and creating leaks. You also want to make sure your gutters stay clean, store pet food in plastic airtight containers, and store general items in plastic bins rather than cardboard boxes.
Fleas & Bed Bugs
Fleas and bedbugs can be a tremendous nuisance once they make their way into your home. Fleas will infest your carpets, lay eggs, and can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation if the problem is not taken seriously and handled right away.
Bed bugs are also an enormous problem because they are so resistant to over-the-counter products. Bedbugs are also notoriously resilient when it comes to both high and low temperatures. To prevent fleas from entering your house and creating an infestation, make sure the perimeter around your house is treated professionally, make sure that your pets have some kind of flea protection, and monitor your pets to make sure they aren’t showing any signs of a flea problem.
To prevent bedbugs, inspect any used furniture, mattresses, clothing, etc. prior to bringing it into your home. Bedbug eggs are sticky and can easily stick to these items, hatch, and create a problem in your house. If you do notice bed bugs, call a professional right away because they are very difficult to treat on your own.
Getting the right pest control in McKinney, TX can prevent you from having unwanted visitors and guests during the cold. The temperatures that dip down below freezing encourage all types of pests to find a new home and that includes things like mice, spiders, ants, and more. Most of us don’t want to share our homes with these invaders, so getting a bug shield in place before they wander in makes good sense. Stampede Pest Control can help, so call us at (713) 714-6970 to schedule your appointment. We will help you enjoy the holidays and the cold weather with only those people and things that you invite in.