All Pest Control Company

Without a doubt, spring and summer are seasons when pests are most active.

But that doesn’t mean that there is no pest activity during winter.   Particularly during untypically severe weather, some pests can be prompted into action.

As mentioned in the previous post, rodents are one of the most common critters to start showing up during the cold months.   Hey, they prefer the warmth just like us.   These months are a good time to check and repair obvious entry points such as loose exterior doors, damaged screens, and exterior insulation around pipes and venting.    Be sure to keep food tightly stored and avoid excessive clutter (I know that is hard to do right after Christmas and the holidays!)

By no means do rats and mice have the house to themselves, however.   Roaches can often show up during this time of year.   While they are much more common in restaurants (sorry for mentioning this – I don’t like considering this fact either) and higher traffic residences such as apartments or motels, they still show up in single family homes.   Being the prolific breeders that they are, finding even one is cause for taking prompt action.   Always give a good inspection to any used furniture, packages stored remotely for extended periods of time or large boxes for potential intruders.

Another group of pests not shy to show up in winter are "pantry pests", meal moths and other related species.   Like a roach, they can travel into your home via outside sources.   Keep an eye on dry goods such as flour and cereals, birdseed and other carbohydrate heavy food stuffs.   Also take quick action if you spot any webbing or larvae where you keep your food.

Finally, it is not unheard of to see ants, both Carpenter Ants and small ants (usually odorous house ants) during this season.   It will usually be the wetter parts of the home (kitchen sinks, bathrooms, and laundry rooms) where you will first notice them.

Everyone wants to stay warm…even the rodents.   We have received quite a few calls over the last couple of  weeks regarding some early holiday guests.   Except that these unwelcome guests have long leathery, scaley tales, beady eyes and short, coarse fur.

The cold temperatures are pushing some of last mice and rats indoors for more comfortable nesting.   This migration commonly happens throughout the fall, but recent cold is forcing the issue with those that had yet to seek warmer surroundings.   Often, after strong fall rains and winds, a few more entry points to structures have loosened and opened up.   It doesn’t take much space for a mouse or rate to squeeze through a gap.

This is an especially important time to keep floors and hidden areas clean of loose food.   Every rodent that survives through the winter is primed to start breading soon thereafter.   With their short gestation periods, quickness to maturity, and large litters, things can get quickly out of hand come spring.   So if you see any signs of intrusion, it is wise to take quick action right now and save yourself alot of money and headache in a few months.