The summer and fall seasons are known for pest infestations in and around your home. So when winter comes, you won’t have to worry about pests, right? Unfortunately, this is far from true. Many pests like bed bugs will escape the frost outside and find solace in your homes during the colder seasons. Do Bed bugs fly. No they don’t, instead, they go from one place to another by crawling and hitching a ride on clothes or other possessions. For this reason, careful examination and preventive measures are essential to keeping bed bugs under control. The best approach is to invest in pest control in Lansing, Michigan, will not be a major concern moving forward. Let us take a look at other common pests found during winter and how to prepare your home for them:
Common Winter Pests Found in Homes
As the Lone Eagle Management team says being able to identify the signs of different pests can help you control their infestation to a great extent. Pests will leave clues of their existence around your home. You just need to be able to notice these signs. Below are a few signs to look out for during the winter:
- Cluster flies
- Moths
- Flying ants
- Rodents and rats
- Termites
- Spiders
- Cockroaches
- Silverfish
- Sowbugs
- Fungus gnats
- Beetles
- Centipedes
- Millipedes
Knowing what pests to watch out for during winter will help you plan your pest control better and prevent these pests from running havoc in your home.
Preparing Your Home for Winter Pests
You want to keep all types of pests out of your house, irrespective of their shape and size. Below are ways in which you can keep pests away from your home in winter:
Learn to Identify the Signs of Winter Pests
Being able to identify the signs of different pests can help you control their infestation to a great extent. Pests will leave clues of their existence around your home. You just need to be able to notice these signs. Below are a few signs to look out for during the winter:
- Skin or insect shells
- Droppings
- Bite marks in food containers or on wires
- Living or dead pest sightings
- Webs and nests
- Unexplained insect bites
- Sounds in your walls or attics
Store Your Firewood Away
Pillbugs, beetles, carpenter ants, and wasps like to burrow in large piles of firewood during the winter. The firewood acts as a bridge between the pests and your home. Ensure you keep your firewood at least 20 feet from your home. In addition, avoid bringing large piles of wood into your house at once. Instead, bring small batches and use them as and when needed.
Seal All Entry Points
Sealing all entry points is one of the best ways to keep pests away from your home during winter. Basic entry points include small openings in unsealed windows or under the door. Other entry points to watch and seal include cracks in the foundation, pipes, vents, and your chimney. You can also install mesh nets or shutters over the windows and door sweeps at the base of all exterior entry doors.
Reduce Clutter in Your Home
Ensure you declutter your home before the winter. Clutter is one of the primary causes of pest infestation. All the unused items in your home provide a warm and safe space for winter pests. They can also get transported from one room to another through shoes, plastic bags, delivery parcels, and dirty laundry. Reducing the clutter will help keep the pests away.
Store Food in Plastic Containers
Food is one of the top reasons why insects come into your home. Most pests can break through cardboard, paper, and cellophane packaging. Therefore, you must check your food for pests once you get it from the store. Ensure you repack your food and store it in metal or plastic containers with secure lids. And while you are at it, remove all food residue like syrups or crumbs from your counter space or tables. No matter the quantity, any open food will bring outdoor pests into your home.
Cover Your Garbage
Pests are not picky when it comes to their food supply. Any food is enough to attract them inside. And your garbage can be a great food source for them. Ensure you cover your garbage in bins and store it properly. You can keep your garbage bins behind closet doors or cabinets whenever possible.
Clean Your Home Regularly
Pests like cockroaches, spiders, and silverfish like to hide in places where they cannot be found easily. They hide in different places in your home and get out only at night. You will most likely find these pests hiding in your closets, unused or unmoved boxes, in your unopened kitchen cabinets, and under the sink. Cleaning these areas regularly will remove their hiding places and eliminate them from your home.
Maintain Your Landscape
Most people tend to ignore their gardens and yards during the winter. Untidy landscapes and overgrown bushes are the perfect places for pests like rodents and termites to hide. Ensure you trim your bushes, trees, and shrubs in the winter to prevent them from becoming a hideout for pests.
Contact a Professional Pest Control Service
One of the best ways to pest-proof your home during winter is to contact a professional pest control service like Patriot Pest Control. They offer comprehensive pest management with family and pet-safe treatments. They will scan your home, help you eliminate unwanted pests, and keep your home pest-free during winter.
Dealing with winter pests can be extremely difficult. The steps above can help you keep pests away and prepare your home for winter.
