Fall Invaders

When the temperature starts to drop, some bugs and pests will head indoors looking for shelter from the cold, a source of food and water, and a warm, dark place to spend the winter. This makes your home a perfect place for pests to take up residence. Here are some common pests to look out for as the weather turns cooler:

Bees, Wasps and Hornets

Fall is when bees, wasps and hornets are the most active as they feed and store up food for the winter. Because their colonies have grown larger over the summer there will be a lot more flying around searching for food sources. They also tend to be more aggressive. Wasps and hornets are able to sting multiple times. Their stings are painful and can cause severe allergic reactions in some people. If you start seeing more around your property, it’s a good idea to call and get a service scheduled as soon as possible.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are a problem throughout the year, but as the temperature starts to drop they will move indoors looking for a warm area close to food and water. Cockroaches in the winter are likely to be found in the kitchen and pantry areas. They tend to hide under sinks, within cabinets and behind kitchen counters. They will come out at night looking for food and return to their hiding place. Roaches breed often, so a little problem can turn into a big problem fast.

Ants

During the fall season, ants will eat and store a lot of food to prepare for winter. While most ants tend to go dormant inside their colonies during the colder months in order to survive, some will seek our warm areas when the temperatures start to cool to pass the winter season. If you start seeing ants in your home during the winter, it’s likely a colony already exists inside somewhere. Some common hiding places include inside walls, under floors, attic, basement, appliances, or pantry. Ants can invade your pantry and ruin your food, while some ants, like carpenter ants, can cause structural damage.

Stink Bugs

Stink bugs become active in the fall as they leave their outdoor nests seeking shelter from the cooler weather. These bugs produce a chemical that attracts other stink bugs, which causes large populations to form. Stink bugs do not cause harm to your family or home, but they do release a strong, foul order when crushed which can cause your home to smell. Once inside these bugs will seek a hidden area to spend the winter months.

Rats and Mice

Rodent season usually begins when the weather starts to cool. Rats and mice will head indoors seeking shelter, food and water to help them survive during the winter season. It’s very easy for them to make their way inside due to their ability to squeeze through extremely small spaces. Rats and mice can cause damage to your home and are carriers of many diseases. If you start seeing signs of rodents in your home, call Barnes Pest Control to get a service scheduled.

Spiders

Although spiders tend to be invaders all year long, fall is their mating season so you will start seeing a lot more of them roaming as they search for a mate. Female spiders will stay in one place all their lives with their webs providing food and shelter for them. Most times they will make their homes inside of our homes. Male spiders are always wandering, but during mating season they go searching for females which brings them into your home. After mating season, the female will start building her egg sac in a location where the eggs will be kept warm during the winter months. One egg sac can contain hundreds of baby spiders. The eggs will hatch in the spring and hundreds of spiderlings will be in your home until they scatter and find their own territory. The spiderlings will mature in about two years and the cycle will begin again.

Ladybugs

Ladybugs need a warm place to spend the winter which leads them toward buildings where they will gather in large numbers around walls, doors, as well as porches and any other sunny area they can find. If they find their way indoors, their large groups will quickly become a nuisance for homeowners during the fall and winter. Lady bugs also release a pheromone that attracts other lady bugs, resulting in larger groups in one area.

Silverfish

Silverfish like humid, moist areas, so they are more likely to seek shelter in your home when the temperatures begin to drop. They can be found in areas of moisture and humidity such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, cabinets, garages and basements. Their diet consists on everything from molds and organic matter to carbohydrates and protein, They can cause damage to your home by feeding on items like old photos, wallpaper, books, fabrics, and pantry items.

Pest Proofing Tips To Help Keep Pests Outside

Seal cracks and crevices on the inside and outside of the home, paying attention to places where pipes enter the structure.
Eliminate excess moisture, especially in basements, attics, crawl spaces, bathrooms, and kitchens. Pests are attracted to areas of moisture, which they need to survive.
Screen attic vents, openings to chimneys and any other areas where the home is open to the outdoors.
Remove potential food sources by sealing and disposing of garbage on a regular basis, storing food in airtight containers, keeping floors and counters clean and being careful not to leave food out. Crumbs and a buildup of garbage will attract pests looking for food.
Replace weather-stripping and loose mortar around foundation and windows. This will help keep not only pests, but also cold air out of the house.
Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house, keep lawn debris picked up and shrubbery trimmed. Removing hiding areas near your home can reduce the chances of pests finding a way inside.
Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens. These areas are an ideal entry point for pests.
Inspect storage boxes, package deliveries and grocery bags before bringing them indoors. Inspect anything that has been left or stored outdoors.
Avoid leaving pet’s food dishes out for long periods of time.
Having a proper outdoor drainage system or installing gutters will help draw water and moisture away from your home, preventing any leaks or build up that might attract pests.
Seal gaps around electrical boxes, sockets, switches and light fixtures.
Turn off exterior lights at night.

Following these pest proofing tips in the fall will help protect your home and reduce the chances of pest problems during the winter. However, if you see any unwanted pests in your home, please give us a call at 662-416-2321.