We’re often asked whether winter pest control is needed. After all, it’s cold outside and pests such as ants, mosquitoes and spiders and dead, hibernating or nowhere to be seen, right? Wrong! Just as you want to cozy up inside a warm home, many pests seek out a warm place to overwinter.
Often, your warm home is an inviting place for overwintering pests including cockroaches, bed bugs, mice, rats, spiders, stink bugs, and many more. In fact, a warm home can be the ideal place for pests to multiply in comfort and safety.
Spiders, silverfish and wasps may take up residence in your attic. Termites and carpenter ants continue to eat away at wood and cellulose materials. Crickets and mice are frequently in basements, though mice find attic insulation great for nesting.
Skipping a pest control service visit during the winter can seem like a smart, and money-saving idea, but can be shortsighted and breed bigger pest problems.
Winter Pest Control Benefits
A recurring pest service provided by annual pest protection plans that companies like My Pest Pros offer helps prevent pest issues. Proactive inspections and treatments should prevent most issues. But you are covered for winter pests if issues arise.
Often times these pests may not be obvious until they come out in the spring or during some of those unseasonably warm winter days we sometimes have in the Washington, D.C. region. However, other times pests such as mice and rats will come out seeking food sources.
Pest professionals will monitor home interior for signs of winter pest control issues and may perform spot treatments to key areas where pests such as spiders and crickets frequent. On the exterior, technicians will deweb, apply products such as dusts to cracks and crevices that pests can use to gain entry, as well as treat around entryways and the perimeter. We may seal up small gaps to prevent access.
Routine pest control plus these tips can help create a pest-free home:
- Make sure foods, including pet foods, and grass seeds are stored in sealed containers.
- Seal gaps, cracks and crevices around the home to prevent pests including mice, rats and squirrels from gaining access.
- Firewood should be stored at least 20 feet from homes. Woodpiles are great nesting areas and also invite termites and carpenter ants.
- Replace weather stripping.
- Repair wood rot.
- Declutter your yard, garage, and basement.
- Watch for and repair even the smallest of leaks. Moisture issues are a great conducive condition for roaches!
- Screen and add dryer vent covers around vents, gables and similar locations to prevent access by mice, rats, squirrels or birds.
Watch My Pest Pros' rodent control videos for more tips on identifying and sealing gaps.