It may not be officially winter just yet, but it sure feels like it is. The autumn festivals and pumpkin carving with the kids feels like ages ago now that the frigid temperatures have set in. All most of us want to do is get warm and cozy in the house until it warms back up again. Unfortunately, there are quite a few pests that feel the same way. While some pests, like the ants and mosquitos, have disappeared with the appearance of cold weather, we are going to see some other ones trying to sneak into the comfort of your heated home. Take a look at some of the most common winter pests and what you can do about them.
RATS AND MICE
It is not uncommon to spot a mouse or a rat in the home throughout the winter months. They are looking for warmth, food, and water and will take up residence wherever they can find it. They can, unfortunately, carry diseases that can make humans very sick so if you suspect your home is being visited by rats or mice in the night or when you aren’t around, you should take steps to make sure they are caught. You can find a variety of solutions, including live traps, at most stores. Also important is determining the entryway point for the rodents so you can seal them. For extra assurance, keep the food in your pantry in sealed containers.
COCKROACHES
There are many different types of cockroaches, but I think we all can agree that they are pretty icky. They too look to your home for food, water, and comfortable temperatures. These little critters can get out of control very quickly, especially if they have found a treasure trove of resources. Be sure you are keeping your home clean of food, and even debris like papers and cardboard. You can try to use store-bought solutions like bait traps, but if the infestation gets too out of hand, you may need to call in a pest control specialist to rid your home of these guys.
BROWN RECLUSE AND BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS
We can sometimes see an influx of spiders in the home during the winter months, but most are often harmless. There are two spiders, in particular, that if you see in your home should cause some concern—the brown recluse spider and black widow spider. Thankfully, both of these spiders have distinct markings that make them easy to identify. The brown recluse has a violin-like shape on its back, hence the nickname “fiddleback”. The black widow spider is black with a red hourglass shape on its abdomen. Neither one of these spiders like to be around people, so take care when you disturb dark corners of the garage or rarely used areas of the house. If you were to find multiple spiders, this is another case where we would recommend a professional pest control company to treat your home. These spiders are highly venomous and should not be left in the house.
Have you had to deal with any of these pests during the cold months? Stop by our Facebook page to share your stories with our online community. We look forward to hearing from you!