15 Winter Pests
As warm weather fades into colder, darker days, we aren’t the only ones preparing for the upcoming winter. The cooler months may be nearly pest free outdoors, but that won’t stop intruders from invading your home.
When the weather outside is frigid, many pests search for a place to wait out the winter and the idyllic place to hide is in your basement or attic. If you want to protect your property from unwanted guests, here are 15 sneaky pests to look out for this winter.
1. Watch for Termites
Termites are more than just a hot-weather pest. These little pests can swarm and reproduce until February. Social insects, termites live in colonies that could cause severe property damage. They can often find spots within wood piles, leaves, and other outdoor refuse. To avoid this pest, keep yard waste to a minimum and seal any small entry points to avoid an infestation.
2. Norway Rats
These invaders often slip into your home looking for a warm place to seek shelter. They tend to make nests in basements, debris, and other dark areas. Norway rats can fit through openings as small as a ½ inch and are known to gnaw in anything. Aside from the damage they can cause, these pests also carry diseases like jaundice, rat-bite fever, or cowpox. Protect against these pests by sealing up any potential entry points and keeping a look-out for droppings or other signs.
3. Nuisance Bedbugs
Bed bugs can be an issue regardless of the time of year. They can hitchhike at any point. Additionally, the ideal time to take a vacation is during the cold-weather months, making the probability of encountering these insects much higher. If you are planning a winter getaway, be sure to inspect your hotel room for possible bed bugs. Also, examine your luggage and clothes before returning to your home to prevent an infestation by any potential stowaways.
4. Wildlife
Pests aren’t just an indoors problem. Occasionally, creatures can damage when searching for food and shelter to escape the harsh weather. Wildlife like raccoons or possums can wind up inside homes through open doors, chimneys, or they may hide out under your porch. While these animals are trying to wait out the winter, they can chew through insulation, wires, or die in an out-of-reach area. To prevent any unwanted tenants, keep all trash covered and seal up any openings below porches, in garages, or anywhere wildlife may slip in.
5. Ant Infestation
Pesky ants can sneak into homes through cracks and holes looking for food. Often found in flowers or other outdoor items we bring in for the winter, these insects can raid your pantry. Like termites, ants are a colony insect. If you spot one, there are probably many more searching for sustenance for their large family. If you should encounter these little invaders, watch for their entry point. This will make it easier to get rid of them.
6. Beetles
Considered an overwinter pest, beetles look for warmth during the colder months. They will search for any access point: windows, vents, cracks, chimneys and many other openings. Any warm place is a suitable home for the winter for beetles, and normally they will head to the warmest point of the house. While they will not cause any severe damage, they can be a nuisance because of their sheer numbers.
7. Ladybugs and Asian Lady Beetle
Another overwinter invader is the ladybug. These cute little bugs can be a nuisance when they find safe harbor in your home. Like other beetles, these insects will head to windows during the day or find light fixtures during the night trying to find places to stay warm. While not harmful, they can secrete a staining yellow fluid and they release a stench when squished.
8. Stink Bugs
These little bugs are much like lady bugs and beetles. They search for a warm place to survive the winter. Stink bugs mainly eat vegetation. They can often be found on corn stalks, pumpkins, or flowers. While not a harmful pest, these insects emit a terrible scent when crushed, as their name suggests, and can be a nuisance in your home.
9. Box Elders
These pests are common invaders during the fall and winter months. Box elders are much like stink bugs with a nasty twist. They emit an odor when squished, but in addition, they tend to bite. These bites are mildly irritating; all the more reason to keep them out of your home.
10. Cockroaches
These infamous pests cannot survive temps less than 15 degrees; they must stay indoors during the winter months. Often, these invaders will find crawl spaces, basements, or other dark areas to wait out the cold weather. Cockroaches are known to trigger allergies and spread bacteria.
11. Spiders
While the typical house spider will invade your home during any time of year, during the winter, more dangerous spiders could seek refuge indoors. Though they are less active during the winter months, spiders do head to warmer places during the cold weather. Spiders like the brown recluse and the black widow will hide out in dark, low-traffic places like basements, cardboard storage boxes, and window moldings.
12. Silverfish
These household pests can be around during any season, but they are most prominent during winter months. They like cold, damp places with high humidity. While they are scarier to look at than harmful, one female can produce over 3,500 eggs. Silverfish can come in the house in several ways. They often hide out on outdoor decorations, slip through cracks, and hide away in attics and basements.
13. Ticks
Though certain ticks may not be active during the cold months, others will remain if the temperature is above freezing, like the black-legged tick. In the winter, we tend to let our guard down regarding ticks considering the cold and the fact that we are more bundles. These parasites can still find ways to latch on you and your pets, even in the winter.
14. Aphids
Though not harmful, aphids can be quite the household nuisance. They often stowaway in plants or greenery that are transferred inside during the winter. This can damage any other household plants that you may have.
15. House Mice
House mice can slip through small openings the size of a dime. They nest in dark, secluded areas and can become a big problem very fast. These pests can damage property by chewing through drywall or wires, and they can cause illness by contaminating food. The best way to combat these little intruders is by sealing up any potential openings.
Keep your home pest free this winter by fortifying against these sneaky intruders. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Protect your home by contacting The Pest Rangers below!
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