Winter is the season of ice, snow, and chilly temperatures, but you also have to worry about pests that invade the home because they’re seeking warmth, shelter, and food. As a homeowner, you expect to deal with bugs and spiders in the summer, but the cold weather is often worse.
There are countless winter pests like raccoons, squirrels, and rodents to deal with. While you don’t have to cut back on the food in your home or the heat from the furnace, it’s important to plan for these annoyances and protect your house.
Whether you’re dealing with a rodent or a spider infestation, it’s crucial to consider the best professional for pest control. Windsor is lucky because Pro Trap is here to assist with removal needs. You can contact us for a free quote today!
Learn more about the different pests that might enter your home this winter and what you can do about them:
1. Squirrels
Squirrels often live outside of the home, but they can climb onto tree branches and get into the walls or attic. During the winter months, they usually focus on shelter and warmth and will come into the house to find it.
Generally, this rodent can enter through smaller gaps in the walls and roof. Once inside, it will cause damage to your electrical wiring and insulation.
It’s best to check around your home, and trim branches back to prevent them from entering.
2. Rats and Mice
The mouse is one of the most common pests that will invade your house in the winter months. It’s primarily attracted to the shelter and warmth a home provides, and it can fit through an opening as small as a quarter or dime.
Ultimately, a mouse can climb the walls and get inside through doors and windows that aren’t properly sealed. In most cases, a tiny crack is all it needs.
Like mice, a rat will be attracted to the shelter and warmth found in the home during winter. Though it might be slightly bigger, it can still get in through holes and gaps in the foundations, floors, and walls.
Similarly, a rat can climb the wall and enter through an open door or window.
Rats are also attracted to food items, so you want to ensure your kitchen is clean with no crumb messes left behind.
Whether you have a rat or mouse, it will usually nest indoors in warm, moist, dark areas. The rodent can gnaw through electrical wiring and damage your property. Some people find that putting steel wool in the gaps around their homes can be helpful. However, you may need a pest control business to assist.
3. Raccoons
Raccoons might look cuddly and cute, but they can be a nuisance when winter weather arrives. They’re attracted to shelter and warmth and can get into your house through various access points, such as holes in the roofing or walls and open doors and windows. Once inside, they’ll cause damage to the crawl space or attic, leave behind disease-spreading feces, and chew on electrical wiring.
Ultimately, raccoons are known for their dexterity; they can manipulate locks and latches to get inside the home. To prevent an infestation, you should inspect the outside and seal off entry points. Likewise, you must keep a tight lid on outside trash cans as a precaution to remove food or water sources they might find and exploit.
Most people in raccoon-prone areas will use animal-proof lids on their trash cans to keep them out. However, you may need to hire a wildlife removal service to humanely and safely get rid of these pests if they’re in or on your property.
4. Bats
Bats are often associated with Halloween and are nocturnal animals. Still, they can enter the house during the winter months and become a problem. In fact, they only need a small crack or gap to come inside.
While they often get into the attic, broken vent covers are a good way for this pest to enter the house. Likewise, they can wiggle under siding that isn’t properly glued down.
5. Spiders
Though the spider isn’t often considered a pest, it can be a problem during winter months. Ultimately, they’re attracted to warm areas and will create a web near windows and doors.
Typically, a spider can enter through small gaps in the basement walls and floors and are found inside corners.
If you believe you have a pest infestation of the spider variety, it’s best to call a removal company to assist.
6. Cockroaches
Another common pest that will invade your house in the winter is the cockroach. They like dim areas with warmth and moisture.
Generally, cockroaches prefer to live in dark areas, so they will stay in a pipe or under the appliances.
In most cases, the cockroach will contaminate food sources and become a real pest as the days and months go by. Similarly, the infestation isn’t likely to go away during the summer.
7. Earwigs
Earwigs are one type of pest that will come into your home in the winter. They like moisture and warmth and will enter through small gaps in the floors and walls. Plus, they like light, so you should keep your doors and windows closed in the evenings.
8. Ants
Ants aren’t often a problem in the winter unless they find their way inside the house. Often, they’re attracted to warmth and food and will enter homes through cracks in the foundations, floors and walls.
Overall, this pest can be accidentally carried into your home through grocery bags and food packages.
9. Silverfish
The silverfish insect is wingless and small, preferring warm and moist places. You’ll often find them in the bathroom and kitchen areas. Ultimately, this pest can be carried in on your clothes.
Keep Pests Away for a More Comfortable Winter Home
Dealing with bugs and mice can be daunting, but it’s best to hire an animal removal company to assist. We can inspect your home to determine if you have an infestation and take care of it for you.
If you need the best pest control experts in the area, Pro Trap is the ideal solution. Please contact us to request a free quote today.
