Here comes the change of season, which means colder weather and shorter days. What winter does not mean is that pest activity goes away! Enjoy this quick read on winter pest myths debunked, so you can expand your knowledge of pests and find out tips to deal with them this winter.
Myths
Contrary to popular belief, winter is a season full of pests. This is now the time that they move inside your home for warmth and are more active than you would think. Here are some pest myths in the winter season.
- Pests hibernate over winter – Some pests will hibernate during the winter, but many are just moving their way indoors. Pests like rodents or roaches will go anywhere they can, leading to infestations in the middle of winter.
- Freezing weather kills all pests – The cold season can be brutal to many, including pests, but some of them just adapt to the freezing temperatures. They create their own survival mechanisms to continue living or move inside a home or into the insulation of a building to maintain warmth.
- Pest control isn’t necessary – Even if you don’t see pests during this time, it doesn’t mean that they’re not there. Many pests hide inside wall voids or in insulation to have warmth and live normally. That’s why continuing with your pest control is necessary, and having a licensed technician who can inspect to make sure your home is protected.
- Pests don’t reproduce in the winter – If there’s a time when pests reproduce, it’s during winter when they’re left undisturbed. Since they’re not seen and have the source to continue reproducing, they will take advantage and can become a problem when spring approaches.
Preventions and Treatments
Maintaining your home pest-free during the winter doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some easy tips to incorporate into your everyday life that keep your home safe.
- Maintain a clean home – Performing daily, if not every other day, cleaning tasks to keep your home clean is important. Completing tasks like vacuuming, keeping rooms clutter-free, and wiping down counters and tables, especially after a meal. This keeps the environment around your home attractive to pests.
- Remove sources maintaining pests – Getting rid of sources for pests to be able to harbor in and food sources to live on is crucial. This is what is keeping them inside your home and making sure to keep food in airtight containers to not attract them. Also, keep rooms uncluttered, especially in rooms that remain undisturbed for periods of time like basements and attics, and make sure to regularly check these rooms.
- Schedule pest inspections – Scheduling regular pest inspections with a technician can make a difference and even prevent an infestation from happening. They are trained to look for things like activity, and entry points, and are able to decide on how to properly approach a situation.
- Continue pest control treatments – Having a pest control treatment during the winter is more important than one would think. Since this is the time that pests are moving in, our primary focus shifts toward getting an interior treatment done. Along with that, we still apply products outside to maintain the barrier around your home. A dust product is used in the cracks and crevices and a hand spray is used around windows and doors, and the usual dewebbing and ground level seal ups are provided. Continuing this treatment will even help with spring activity and ensure your home is protected.
Continue to protect yourself from winter pests and avoid dealing with them inside your home! Contact our office at (630) 451-8101 and get a pest control treatment or inspection scheduled with one of our licensed technicians.