Kitchen & Bathroom Design Blog

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Winter is coming! That means you must be ready to combat the army of pests trying to intrude into your home space. The best solution to get rid of the pest problems in winter is to pest-proof your home for winter in advance.

But you should also know about some widespread and active winter pests. DIY winter pest control tips also help to prevent this issue

So, let’s get started!

Which are the Most Active Winter Pests?

Get to know the 8 primary troublemakers who can pay you a surprise visit this winter if you don’t prepare before the temperature drops:

1.      Rodents

The rodents generally include squirrels, mice, and rats. These rodents need warm and cozy shelter in cold winters. The leading cause of concern here is that rodents are disease spreaders. They can give you Hantavirus or salmonella if you are not careful enough. A small opening in the walls or floor of your house is enough for them to enter.

2.      Spiders

Spiders love to settle in areas that are less frequently visited by people. This could include your storeroom or any guest room in your house that you don’t open regularly. Spiders feed on other insects. You can eliminate their food source by getting rid of other winter pests and bugs from your house. A bite from a spider can give you a blister which can take days to heal.

3.      Bed Bugs

The common entry points of bed bugs in your house are new clothing packaging, luggage, mattress, and furniture. They have an oval-shaped long and brown body and are mainly active at night. You can get bed bug bites at night on your exposed body if you have them in your bed. Bed bug bites can be painful and itchy.

4.      Birds and Bats

Secluded attics and underused spaces are the perfect nesting place for birds and bats. They can hide and ignore the harsh winter from these cozy corners. Birds and bats can use the exposed electric wires as a tool for their nest, which poses an electric hazard. They can also spread diseases in your house through their urine and droppings.

5.      Cockroaches

Here comes almost everyone’s nightmare. American cockroaches are the most common winter pests. They can feed on anything and everything. Therefore, survival and reproduction in your house are effortless for them. You can find roaches in cracks, moist areas, and dark corners. Like rodents, cockroaches also spread viruses and diseases.

6.      Fleas

A flea can’t live past 3 months, but the bad news is that they can lay hundreds of eggs in that duration. If fleas are inside your house for most of their lifetime in winter, it will become difficult for you to control the infestation. Only arranging for winter pest control would be helpful in this case. You can get viruses and diseases by coming in contact with fleas.

7.      Moths

Moths are larvae for most of their life until they become adults. These larvae eat everything from pasta to paper. Thus, you should check every food packet you bring home. However, if they lay eggs on any food or food packet, you won’t be able to check it with your naked eye. They don’t carry any dangerous diseases or viruses but are a nuisance.

8.      Termites

Damaged wood is the strongest indication of termite presence in your house. Like many other winter pests, the egg production rate in termites is worrying. Thus it becomes almost urgent to arrange a residential termite inspection and pest proof your home as soon as you spot them. It’s necessary to prevent damage to the wooden furniture in your house from termite damage.

How to Pest Proof Your Home for Winter?

As you know, household pests bring dangerous diseases and infections with them. So why not do everything you can to restrict their entry into your house before winter. Here are some helpful winter pest control tips:

• Seal All the Holes & Cracks

The most minor holes and cracks in your house's walls or floor are enough for most winter pests to march in. Thus, inspect every corner outside and inside your home and seal each hole.

• Eliminate Moisture

Unclog your drains and seal the leaky pipes. You can call a plumber for this task. It is necessary as the kitchen and bathrooms become a favourite spot for household pests due to moisture.

• Insulate Exposed Piping

The pipes which are exposed need to be insulated ASAP. This is because even a tiny gap is more than enough for some winter pests to begin their journey to your home, along with their hundreds of friends.

• Check Your Roof & Gutter

It’s not rare for the roof and gutters to develop cracks and gaps. Rodents can easily crawl through these cracks to make your home their hideout for winter. Call a professional if you need one but address all repairing issues in the roof and gutters before winter.

• Firewood Storage

You need firewood to endure the winter chills if you rely on a fireplace or wood burning stove. But the convenience of storing firewood close to your home can cost you the visit of many unwanted and uninvited guests. It is advisable to store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home.

• Take Care of Chimney

A chimney can’t be closed. Therefore, keeping your chimney dry and vented is vital to prevent insects from entering your home. It is one of the most critical winter pest control tips.

• Be Extra Careful in Sealing Rodent Access Points

Rodents often enter your home through your garden. You can keep rats out of the garden by checking your backyard thoroughly for any holes or gaps. Conduct research around your home for all entry points of rodents.

• Clean the Yard

Accumulated wet leaves and debris in your yard are a sure way to attract active winter pests. This is a treasure of moisture and food for them. Clean your yard regularly of debris and ensure you don’t store garbage or firewood near your yard.

Call Professional Winter Pest Control

All these measures are fine to pest-proof your home for winters up to a certain extent only. But if you want to pest-proof your home for the long term, it’s better to call professional winter pest control services.

Author Bio: When people find their homes and offices infested with pests, it is not uncommon for them to panic. Raymond Web has taken the task to educate people on pest prevention and control strategies, helping them keep their surroundings healthy, safe, and pest-free. Being the digital marketing manager for taking Care Termite and Pest Control, a top-rated pest control service in Tracy, CA, he has an in-depth understanding of people and their pain points due to pests, which he uses in his content to educate people.