What Are Some Common Winter Pests to Watch For?

November 15, 2021

While most people typically associate summer with an abundance of insects and pests due to the warm weather, there are plenty of winter home pests that can be a serious nuisance during the colder months of the year.

Here’s a list of common winter pests to be aware of, as well as detailed instructions on how to prevent them from making your home their home this winter.

Mice and rats

While you can encounter rodents like mice and rats in your home at any time throughout the year, they’re actually the most problematic of winter home pests. Mice and rats seek shelter from the cold temperatures and precipitation during the winter, and they can easily make their way into your home to ride out the season.

There are several ways to keep mice and rats from making themselves at home in your house. Seal any small openings that they can use to get into your home. Eliminating food sources is also an effective way to deter rodents. Keep your house clean, store food in airtight plastic containers and empty your trash regularly.

Birds and bats

Just like mice and rats, birds and bats seek shelter and warmth during the winter. They make their way into your house through exterior openings. Before winter arrives, seal chimneys with chimney caps, and inspect your home for any small openings, sealing them with foam rubber or steel wool.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are a problem for homeowners even in the winter. They enter your home in search of water and food, so be sure to eliminate water sources, like leaky faucets, and food sources. Again, keeping your kitchen clean and sealing food containers can keep cockroaches from becoming a major problem in your home.

Fleas

Fleas enter your home by hitching a ride on your pets. The best defense against fleas is treating your animals with a flea preventative shampoo, medicine or both. Flea infestations can be difficult to control and typically require the services of a pest control expert.

Spiders

Spiders are hiders, making a home for themselves in areas of the house that aren’t frequently used. The best way to prevent spiders from making their way indoors is by sealing cracks and holes in your home’s exterior and by keeping your landscaping well maintained. Keeping clutter to a minimum and storing rarely used items in plastic containers can also be an effective deterrent.

Bed bugs

Bed bugs can be a problem at any time of the year, and they’re a problem that always requires the help of a professional pest control technician. Keep bed bugs from coming into your house by checking furniture, bedding, boxes and clothing. Always check luggage when traveling, since hitching a ride in luggage is the typical way bed bugs are introduced to a home.

If you find yourself with a pest infestation this winter, reach out to your local pest control professionals, as several of the common winter pests on this list pose serious dangers and are carriers of disease. Contact Crist Termite and Pest Solutions, Inc. as soon as you spot the first sign of any pests in your home. We’ll get the situation under control right away, keeping your family safe all winter long.

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