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Most people associate spring and summer with pest control seasons.
You may be surprised to know the number of pests that target your home for warmth and comfort during the winter.
Take a look at some of the most commonly found house pests during the winter season:
Rodents
Rodents like Norway rats and house mice like to nest in dark, secluded areas like attics and basements. This provides them with a warm environment to live and breed in during the winter season.
You must keep a keen eye out for house mice, as they can cause serious property damage. They are able to chew through drywall, plastic, and lead tubes. They even munch on electrical wires, which could lead to short circuits or even fire.
Rodents are carriers of various germs and bacteria that subsequently spread and contaminate their surroundings. This can result in the spread of diseases like jaundice, rat-bite fever, and the cowpox virus.
Moths
Just like rodents, moths also tend to seek refuge in homes during the winter months. Abundant food sources also attract moths to homes.
Cotton is a known food source for moths. As a result, the clothing in your home is another motivational factor for them.
But that’s not all; such environments are ideal for them to breed and can often leave larvae in your clothes.
Spiders
Undisturbed places such as closets, attics, crawl spaces, and basements are natural attractants for spiders.
They can gain access to your homes at any given point in time through the tiniest openings.
They will continue to live there unnoticed, making it necessary to carry out pest control activities regularly.
Raccoons
Raccoons are a leading cause of rabies in the United States, and their large population makes it an additional cause of concern.
They usually gain access to your house through vents and chimneys in search of denning sites, therefore making it imperative to use screens to block such entryways.
Cockroaches
The most common species of cockroach found among all cockroach species worldwide is the German cockroach.
German cockroaches are always found in small areas close to food and moisture. This makes your home the perfect habitat for them to thrive in.
Bedbugs and Termites
Bedbugs and termites are notorious for property damage as they are extremely difficult to get rid of and usually involve significant loss of property.
One way to successfully tackle a bedbug or termite infestation is to enlist the help of a termite exterminator or a bedbug removal service, where they simply increase or reduce the temperature to draw out such critters and eliminate them successfully.
How to Avoid a Winter Pest Infestation
Gaps and Cracks
Rodents can fit through openings as small as ½ of an inch.
Therefore, it is necessary to carefully inspect your home structure for gaps or cracks and make arrangements to fill them with a suitable material, such as silicone caulk.
Be especially thorough when checking areas where utilities and pipes enter the home.
Moisture
Moisture attracts mice, rats, and other insects. As a result, inspect your attic, basement, and other storage areas for sources of moisture and take appropriate measures.
You must pay extra attention to kitchens and bathrooms, as these areas are especially susceptible to cockroach infestations.
Firewood
If you stock firewood for the winter months, make sure you store it at least 20 feet away from your house.
Mice and ants are usually attracted to wood piles as they create the ideal environment to create nests, automatically attracting such pests to your home surroundings.
Organization
Pests and rodents are attracted to clutter, so be sure to keep your storage areas organized.
Unused Clothing
Pay special attention to clothing items such as woolens, shoes, baseball mitts, and gloves that aren’t frequently used. Spiders and moths like to nest in them.
Repairs
Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens in windows, chimneys, and vents to minimize entry points for any and all types of winter pests.
Conclusion
Make the necessary provisions to avoid winter pest problems.
Additionally, you must take some time out of your weekly schedule to carry out pest inspections on your property.
Always keep on the lookout for signs of damage or infestations.
