As the weather becomes colder, your home becomes more appealing to some pests and critters that need shelter for the coming winter. After all, they need warmth and easy access to water and food.
Below is the list of household pests that commonly experience a population boom or become more active during fall.
Rodents
Mice and rats seek warm shelter as the temperature begins to drop. Keep in mind that they can enter your home through cracks as small as a coin and gnaw through wires and walls to nest.
Rodents carry a wide range of diseases such as salmonella, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, hantavirus, and tularemia. Additionally, they may cause considerable damage to your property by chewing through your wiring and insulation.
Cockroaches
Just like rodents, cockroaches can enter your home through the tiniest holes and cracks. They are often found beneath the sink and kitchen area because they are inherently attracted to moisture and food.
Bed bugs
Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are not attracted to dirty places. Instead, they mainly prefer densely populated areas like movie theaters, dorms, and hotels (including high-end ones) where they can feed on the blood of humans.
While it is true that bed bugs are less active in the winter, it doesn’t necessarily mean that new infestation will not occur. Remember, people use thicker blankets and bedsheets during cold weather, giving these critters more warmth and protection, and ultimately, more opportunity to reproduce.
Ants
In anticipation of winter, ants move their colonies into the walls or any foundation of your home during fall.
Flies
As the temperature starts to drop, flies search for a shelter that provides them heat and protection.
Stinging insects
Stinging insects that live in large colonies like yellow jackets tend to become more aggressive as the temperature starts to drop and the food sources dwindle. So if ever you find a nest in your home, your best bet is to call a professional who can safely extract it.
Fall Maintenance Tips
- Inspect the exterior of your home, paying close attention to cracks and crevices around pipes, windows, and screens. Also, examine the pavement in the sidewalks, garage, sheds, and exterior walls where wasp nests and ant colonies can seek refuge.
- The best way to prevent pest infestation is to eliminate all the gaps, cracks, and holes where critters can fit into. You can do this by weather-stripping your windows and doors and installing a door sweeper.
- Make sure that your attic, basement, and crawl space are dry and well ventilated.
- Inspect your attic insulation. Pests often make their way into your home by chewing through its insulation, making it important that yours is made of a material that contains chemicals (e.g., borates) that makes it unappealing to these critters.
- Maintain your kitchen, pantry, and dining room clean. Furthermore, store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage in a sealed receptacle.
Did you enjoy the article? If so, you may also want to read our blog, Mistakes You Need to Avoid When Hiring a Pest Control Company. You can also call us at (916) 884-6114 or send us a message by clicking here.
Rocklin Pest Control is a natural pest control in Sacramento and has been serving homes and commercial establishments in Rocklin, Roseville, Lincoln, Granite Bay, and Auburn for more than 15 years.