The wind chill doesn’t blow pests away for the winter. It just sends them into hiding. Unfortunately, that hiding place might be closer than you think. Spiders, ants, and other pests prioritize warmth and shelter in the colder months, which may have them venturing into heated homes like yours. So if you think winter pest control has nothing to do with spider and ant prevention, think again. Your next infestation may already be on the rise.
Why Winter Brings Pests Indoors
Winter is what we like to call “indoor pest season” because, while you may not have to worry about fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes in your yard and garden, you may find pests inside your home instead. Here are some of the most common winter pests to be on the lookout for:
Rodents
Rodents are among the most common and disruptive winter pests.Mice and rats may appear harmless in popular media, but they can cause significant damage when they nest in attics or crawl spaces.
Ants
Ants are often associated with spring and summer, but they can remain a problem throughout the winter. Although ants are less active during winter, they can still pose an issue indoors. Ants tend to move more slowly and stick close to the colony in winter, but if their food supply is running short, then they are likely to send out foragers and scouts.
If you’re noticing ants in your household, their colony is likely settled somewhere very close by, possibly right beneath your foundation or, in the case of carpenter ants, in your walls. Addressing ant activity early can help prevent larger infestations in warmer months.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs often see a surge post-holidays as people return home from traveling and bring these pests with them. Unlike many winter pests, bed bugs aren’t driven indoors by colder temperatures. Instead, they move in search of a reliable food source, which is why they’re most commonly found in and around beds. Early detection and professional treatment are critical when dealing with bed bugs. Reach out for bed bug control as soon as you suspect they’re active in your home.
Spiders
Increased spider activity often indicates the presence of other insects in the home. If you’re noticing an increased number of spiders in and around your home in the winter, that means they’re finding enough prey nearby to keep them satisfied. This means you may have ants, bed bugs, or other insects that spiders feed on. Prioritizing winter pest control to keep other pests at bay will help prevent spiders as well.
Other Winter Pests in Kansas City
If you really want to pest-proof your home in the winter, here are some less common winter pests you should be on the lookout for:
- Boxelder Bugs: You’ll most often find these bugs gathering on the sunny side of homes, and they’re difficult to remove once they get inside.
- Stink Bugs: While they don’t bite or cause damage, you still don’t want these odor-producing pests in your home.
- Asian Lady Beetles: These beetles are not ladybugs, and they can release an unpleasant odor when disturbed.
- Cluster Flies: You may not realize you have these flies hiding in your wall voids or attic until things warm up–but they can become a nuisance once temperatures rise.
Spot Treatment vs. Service Plan: The Champion of Winter Pest Control
It should come as no surprise that we do not believe in spot treatment as an effective pest control tactic, but this is even more important in the winter months! Because pests tend to move more slowly and be less active, any spot treatment is unlikely to reach the nest, where the real infestation lives. As soon as it begins to warm up outside, you’ll find that any temporary measures you’ve taken didn’t actually deal with the problem as much as you thought.
Winter pest control is one part of a year-round effort to keep your household safe and free of indoor pest activity. So if you’re looking for a way to wipe out pest problems for good, Advantage Termite and Pest Control’s treatment program is the way to go! Remember, warning signs of pest problems usually point to an underlying issue that you shouldn’t tackle alone. Contact our team at the first sign of pest activity for professional treatment.
