6 Reasons Why Winter Is a Good Time for Pest Control

If you haven't had a pest inspection recently, here are six good reasons why winter is a good time to have one.

1. Insect Pests Hibernate in Homes During Winter

Every late autumn and early winter, when the temperatures drop, certain insect pests move indoors to take advantage of the warmth and shelter. Insects like stinkbugs and lady beetles hide out in attics and basements. They only need a small opening to enter your home.

A pest inspection in early winter can identify potential entry points as well as existing infestations.

2. Rats, Bats, and Mice Seek to Enter Homes in Cold Weather

Rats and mice don't hibernate during the winter months. But they do seek out warmth and food, as both these resources are scarce during winter. If these critters gain access to your home, they will contaminate your food supplies with their urine and feces, and destroy your insulation material.

Bats do hibernate in winter. They usually seek to enter homes to roost in the attic or even within the walls when the temperature drops in late autumn or early winter. Bats will happily crawl through tiny openings where utility lines enter a home if they can.

A pest inspection in early winter will help to check for bats in your attic and identify and seal possible entry points.

3. Spider and Mud Dauber Young Wait out Winter in Homes

Brown recluse spiders are common in Indiana, and they usually lay their eggs in autumn. These eggs then hatch in winter and the spiderlings spend the winter inside the egg sac, waiting for spring to arrive. Unfortunately, brown recluse spiders like to build their webs in the dark corners and undisturbed places of houses.

Similarly, mud dauber young spend the winter safe inside their mud tubes until spring arrives, at which point they emerge as adult wasps. If these insects emerge into your home, they could sting someone in your household.

A pest inspection in winter can identify and remove these pests before they become an issue when spring arrives.

4. Cockroaches Infiltrate Homes When the Weather Cools

During winter, cockroaches make their way indoors to escape the cold. And if your home has easy access to food and warmth, invading cockroaches will happily breed throughout the winter.

A pest inspector can identify problems that might attract cockroaches. They can also eliminate existing infestations using environmentally friendly treatments.

5. Termites Are Still Active in Winter Months

Termites don't like cold weather, and subterranean termites usually retreat deep into the soil in winter. But termites continue to forage and eat during winter, especially if the conditions are just right. If your home provides warmth, moisture, and wood that is accessible, termites will invade during winter. And when the warmer weather arrives in spring, their activity will increase.

Arrange a termite pest inspection to help you identify termite activity in your home this winter.

6. Steps Can Be Taken to Prevent Spring Infestations

Winter is a great time to shore up your home's defenses. A pest inspector can help you to deal with moisture issues, seal up possible entry points, and eliminate anything that might attract pests come spring.

If you suspect that insects or rodents are hiding out in your home this winter, then you need a residential pest control service. American Pest Professionals has the experience to find, identify, and eradicate bug and rodent infestations. Contact us today and our pet and people-friendly treatments will put an end to your winter bug blues.