4 Common Winter Pests to Prepare For

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Cold Weather Pests: Our Guide To The Top 4 Most Common Winter Pests

Here in South Carolina, some of us dread the summertime. Not just because of the heat, but because of the bugs. Mosquitoes, ants, and roaches are known summer nuisances, but did you know that winter comes with its own set of pests?

Don’t worry, though: it’s possible to keep your home pest free during the winter, so long as you take the right precautions, stay on top of your home maintenance and professional home pest control. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about wintertime pests and how to winterize your home for pest prevention.

Rodent Control

Mice

mouse2Mice commonly show up in attics and basements, where they’ll build nests and take up permanent residence in your home. Sealing up cracks and holes around the outside of your home and decluttering your house is also a great way to discourage mice from invading. If you find chew marks, droppings, or damaged food packaging in your home, it’s time to call for some rodent control help.

Signs you have mice:

  • Chewed up drywall, electrical wires, and soft wood in your home.
  • Feces and urine throughout your house (capable of spreading serious diseases and bacteria).

 

Rats

norwayratoutsideRats tend to nest in basements, and will sometimes nest in heavily cluttered areas. They can chew through just about anything, too -- even your pipes! Plus, rats are capable of spreading diseases as well. To effectively prevent rats, you’ll need proper rat control and prevention similar to the methods you’d use for mouse control

Be sure to fill any gaps or cracks around the outside of your home where rats could enter, and do your best to keep your basement or crawl space dry. A dehumidifier can do the trick. If you find chewed up wood, plastic, or pipes around your home, or oily marks here and there (from the oil that rats secrete), contact a home pest control company right away.

Signs you have rats:

  • Chewed up wood, plastic, or pipes around your home, or oily marks here and there (from the oil that rats secrete).
  • Nests in your basement or cluttered area.

 

 

Cockroach Control

German Cockroaches

iStock-478045464Roaches are one of the most hated home pests, and for good reasons. They’re creepy crawly bugs that are quite hard to get rid of. German cockroaches are smaller than other species and tend to gravitate toward dirty dishes and food scraps. They’re quite common across the U.S.  and can carry diseases, so set up roach control services immediately if you think you might be dealing with an infestation. 

How to prevent roaches:

  • Keep the kitchen clean and throw away food waste.
  • Keep up with cockroach control services.

 

 

Spider Control

Brown Recluse Spiders

brownrecluse6Spiders might seem like a summer problem, but they can wreak havoc on your home during the winter as well. The brown recluse spider is a poisonous species that you’ll want to take care of as soon as you spot a problem. They hide in dark places, prefer the indoors, and can outlive many other types of pests. That means you’ll find them in piles of papers, inside shoes, in your garage, and in between cracks. As with many pests, one spider can quickly turn into an infestation, so it’s best to act fast. 

How to prevent spiders:

  • Keep areas decluttered and check on unused spaces often.
  • Seal any cracks around the home where pests can enter.

 

Home Pest Control

By following these simple tips, you can keep your home free of pests all winter long. Of course, things don’t always go as planned. If you’re dealing with a pest or rodent infestation, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Home Pest Control - we’re ready to help! Feel free to check out our pest control packages and view our pricing here

And in the meantime, feel free to download our “Home Winterization Checklist” for more tips and information on keeping your home pest-free.

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December 15, 2020


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