By: TJ Calles
Oftentimes, we think of pest control as a spring through fall necessity exclusively. In actuality, the winter pest treatment is a vital step in controlling activity throughout the rest of the year.
Mice Entry Points
Once the temperature transitions from warm to cold, a home expands and contracts, causing gaps to form around the foundation overtime. This happens particularly around things that breach the structure of the home, giving mice an opening. The age of a home affects this as well; once a home is over 20 years old, the likelihood and frequency of gaps reopening drastically increases.
Prevent Invasive Pest Species
Many invasive pest species that are difficult to eradicate are capable of overwintering. Box elders, stink bugs, and asian lady beetles are a few common pests that are able to overwinter. Although some do not reproduce during cold months, they are able to thrive indoors and reproduce outdoors once it’s warm again.
Not All Pests Die in the Winter
If you’ve ever had pest activity in March or April, you could be dealing with overwintering activity. It’s a common misconception that all pests die off in the winter. In the Chicagoland area, the frost line usually hasn’t had time to thaw by April and many pests are adept at surviving through the winter. They can achieve this by taking residence within a home’s structure, under sheets of ice or piles of leaves, or by laying eggs below the frost line that hatch in the spring. Other pests, such as wasps and yellowjackets can invade attics through soffits and eaves. The workers generally die off but ensure the queen is safe and warm while hibernating.
Start Your Year Strong with a Winter Pest Treatment
Give us a call at (630) 451-8101 to schedule your winter treatment today! Maintaining the repellant barrier around your home’s foundation every 3 months in tandem with an interior inspection/treatment during the winter is essential to ensure future success during pests’ most active months.