While some pests may go dormant in the winter as they hibernate, others are just as active as the rest of the year and looking for a warm place to stay. Pests can be (surprisingly!) a lot like us. Everyone wants to go inside when it’s cold! So as temperatures dip, homeowners may experience increased winter pest risk as insects, rodents, and other pests attempt to venture indoors on chilly days.
How can you protect against these unwanted guests as cold weather arrives? Let’s explore how to pest-proof your home for winter.
Winter Pest Risk in Kansas City
While winter may be harsh in Kansas and Missouri, some pests are surprisingly resilient. Many insects and rodents are good at navigating their way into homes where they can nest and stay safe from winter storms. Here are some pests to be extra vigilant about as temperatures drop:
Boxelder Bugs
Boxelder bugs are notorious for gathering in large numbers during the colder months. While they don’t cause structural damage, their tendency to congregate on sunny sides of homes and slip through small cracks can make them a nuisance. Once inside, they’re difficult to remove. If you notice their activity, professional pest control is the best option to keep them from settling in your home.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs are aptly named for the unpleasant odor they emit when disturbed. As the weather cools, they search for warm hiding spots in homes, such as attics, walls, or crawl spaces. They don’t bite or cause significant damage, but their presence can be a major annoyance. Preventing their entry through proper sealing is key, and a pest control expert can ensure they’re handled effectively.
Asian Lady Beetles
Often mistaken for the more benign ladybug, Asian ladybeetles can become a wintertime headache. These pests tend to invade homes in large numbers, seeking warmth. Their ability to exude a foul-smelling liquid when threatened makes them unwelcome guests. Pest control services can help eliminate them and prevent future invasions.
Cluster Flies
Cluster flies are slower-moving pests that often hibernate in wall voids or attics during winter. While they don’t bite or carry diseases, their sudden emergence on warm winter days can be alarming. Proper sealing and professional pest control services are essential to keeping cluster flies out.
Spiders
Although spiders are surprisingly resilient in cold temperatures, they frequently venture indoors to hunt for their prey. If you notice spiders appearing in your home, it may be a sign that you have a hidden infestation lying dormant, waiting to activate come springtime!
Home Preparation: How to Pest-Proof Your Home for Winter
The best thing you can do to keep pests from entering your home is a regular pest-prevention program. Some winter pest-preventative tactics are even suitable for helping improve your home’s insulation, keeping you cozy and warm for the chilly days ahead.
To reduce the risk of pests gaining a foothold during the winter months, implement these six preventative techniques as soon as possible:
1. Seal Up Entry Points
Home sealing for pests is the number one thing you can do to keep pests at bay, as it prevents pests from ever entering your home! The obvious possible entry points are doors and windows, so replace any weather stripping, door sweeps, and thresholds for a tight seal that keeps out pests and cold weather alike.
Any extra gaps should be sealed with caulk or expanding foam sealant to cover the tiniest of entry points. You’d be surprised how easily pests can squeeze into unexpectedly small gaps! Utility entry points like dryer vents, gas lines, electric lines, and even outdoor faucets can present possible entry points. Be sure to inspect these areas and seal any gaps around the utility.
2. Maintain a Clean Home
A clean home is a pest-free home! Many pest invasions can be stopped in their tracks by keeping your home clean and tidy. Vacuum regularly to pick up both food sources and pests that may be hiding in your carpeting. Take out the trash regularly and wash dishes immediately to avoid leaving any food scraps out that can attract hungry pests. To further deter pests from finding a comfortable place to stay in your home, keep it clutter-free and organized!
3. Reduce Moisture
Excess moisture and leaks in the home can be a water source for pests, and any water-damaged areas make for excellent entry points that pests can easily break through. This is an especially serious risk when it comes to termites and other wood-destroying pests who will appreciate soft, moist wood to chew through. Check around your home for moisture problems, including around windows, siding, and plumbing.
4. Use Plastic Storage Containers
Cardboard boxes and food packaging are easy for pests to chew through and can even act as a handy food source for termites and rodents. Keep pantry food in airtight glass or plastic containers and any stored items in the attic, garage, and closets in plastic storage bins with tight-sealing lids. And don’t forget food for your pets too! Dog and cat food can be appealing to pests as well, so seal that food tightly too.
5. Trim and Tidy Your Yard
Give your yard some attention in preparation for winter by trimming any hedges, bushes, and tree branches touching your home to eliminate possible entry points. Clean your gutters of debris that can accumulate during the summer storms. If you have a woodpile in your yard, store it at least 20 feet away from your home and keep it covered with a tarp.
6. Schedule Professional Pest Control for the Winter Months
All these winterization tactics are important for general pest prevention, but they are no guarantee that winter pests won’t manage to sneak into your home anyway. Pests are notoriously good at finding the single entry point you missed or locating food sources in hard-to-reach places like under the stove or behind the fridge.
For the best protection against pest infestations this winter, contact Advantage Termite and Pest Control to learn more about our quarterly pest control services to keep your home comfortable for you and not for pests all year long. Our experts will complete a full assessment of your home and ensure your space is ready for winter, preventing pests from visiting in the first place!
How Winter Pest Control Protects Your Home All Year Round
Fortifying your home against the winter pest risk is about more than just keeping out pests that are active in the winter. Pests that go dormant in winter will often breed and flourish in spring. If an infestation takes root and goes into hibernation hidden away in your home, you may not realize you have a problem until it’s a serious infestation. Regular pest control service is the best way to get rid of pests and keep them out of your home for good.
Year-round pest control is so important because it protects your home from active, potential, and future infestations! Ask us about our quarterly pest control programs that are designed to ensure your home has the protection it needs against pests in all seasons. And if you find signs of a possible pest problem in your home, call us at first sight – we do it right!
