Here in New England, where our winters can be quite harsh, you might assume that all of your pests problems will take a break. After all, when you step outside, there aren’t a lot of active bugs bothering you.
In fact, you might even be wondering: Is pest control needed in the winter?Yes, pest control in winter is still important…possibly even more so at this time of the year. While pests may not be super active outdoors, this is the time when colder weather drives pests indoors.
Certain pests will aim to “overwinter” indoors and you may actually notice an increase in pest activity if preventative measures aren’t taken.
In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about winter pest control.
We will cover:
Do You Need Pest Control in Winter?
What Pests are Active in Winter?
The Importance of Winter Pest Control
Choosing Pest Control in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine
Do You Need Pest Control in Winter?
As we’ve mentioned above, yes, you still need pest control in winter.
Unfortunately, there are pests that will not take a break, even as the weather cools down. And many pests are actively looking for a place to take up shelter during the harsh winter months.
Why put up with the freezing temperatures, ice, and snow, when pests can find a cozy corner in your living room to ride out the winter?
The trouble is, once inside, these pests won’t want to leave. They may cause you trouble or even reproduce while enjoying their winter in your cozy chalet!
What Pests are Active in Winter?
There’s no doubt that some pest activity will die down in the winter. Mosquitoes, for instance, do not remain active in the winter. However, there are plenty of winter house bugs that can pose problems. Typically these are those pests that come inside to survive the winter.
Here are some of the pests that we commonly see pose problems.
- Spiders: Arachnids are a common winter pest. That’s because they might be attracted to your home by other bugs that have come there to overwinter (since spiders feast on bugs). One common place where spiders tend to build their webs is around lights (which draw in a lot of flying pests that they want to capture in their webs).
- Stink Bugs: These pests commonly love to overwinter in a warm and cozy spot. Overwintering pests are those that can be found outside during the fall, but relocate inside via cracks and crevices around the foundation of your home for the cold months.
- Crickets: Hearing an annoying chirping sound in your home? Crickets are another pest that overwinter indoors.
- Cockroaches: Cockroaches can survive in a myriad of conditions, but they certainly prefer the warmth and comfort of your home to the outdoors. Typically, in the winter, roaches make their way inside in search of more sources of food. Crumbs in your kitchen might be just what they need. The trouble is, once inside, they will breed and multiply, potentially leading to an infestation.
- Mice: Mice become active in the winter, in search of food and shelter. Because mice tend to be most active at night (coming out of their hiding spots in search of food), it’s quite common for homeowners to notice red flags like sounds of scratching or a bad smell before ever seeing a mouse.
The Importance of Winter Pest Control
Now that you understand there are plenty of pests who will not take a rest in the winter, you can see why winter pest control is so important.
The truth is, different pests are active at different times of the year. That’s why a year-round program that includes quarterly pest treatments is so valuable. You want to make sure that you are protected from whatever pests are active that season.
There are, of course, things you can do yourself to help keep pests away.
We always recommend taking steps like:
- Declutter: Bugs that come inside love to hide. They are rarely out in the open, other than when they’re scurrying from one hiding spot to the next. One way to address these pests is to declutter and eliminate their hiding spots.
- Clean up Crumbs: Most pests that come inside are in search of food. Cleaning up crumbs, sealing up food, and wiping up stains can make a difference in discouraging pest activity.
- Seal Cracks: To keep bugs out of your home, you’ll also want to think about how they’re making it inside in the first place. Sealing up cracks is another way that you can help deter bugs from coming inside.
Efforts like these can help keep pests out, but they aren’t enough by themselves.
The truth is, even when you take important proactive steps like cleaning up crumbs and sealing off entry points, pests can still make their way inside. That’s why professional pest control is such a critical solution. It is a more effective way of keeping pests out.
Choosing Pest Control in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine
Winter is probably the season when you spend a lot of time inside. The last thing that you want to think about is sharing your space with unwanted pests. That’s why it’s worth exploring professional pest control options.
Ideally, you want a pest control program that focuses on prevention and uses proactive approaches. After all, pests like mice are sneaky and can move around inside your walls before you even realize you have a problem.
If you truly want peace of mind that you’re keeping pests away, professional pest control is your best solution.
When you make this investment, you can get back to enjoying your life to the fullest without the worries.
Want to learn more about how pest control services can protect your family and give you peace of mind? At Seacoast Turf Care, we service NH towns near Stratham, North Hampton, Exeter and many more. Get pest control pricing for your Southern NH, Southern Maine, or Northeastern Massachusetts property.
Image Sources: cockroach, mouse in snow, spider, crickets, cockroach on food, basement
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