4 Household Pests That Are More Common in the Winter Months

The winter months can be a great time to get outside and enjoy the snow or cooler weather, but they can also be when you have to deal with pests in your home. Here are four household pests that are more common in the winter months.

Rodents

Rodents, such as mice and rats, are common pests in the winter as they seek food. Food becomes scarce for rodents during the winter, so they frequently seek shelter in houses. Droppings or holes gnawed in food packaging will alert you to the presence of rodents. The best way to keep rats and mice out of your home or discourage squirrels on your property generally is to seal up any cracks or holes they could use to enter. You should also store food in airtight containers and immediately clean up crumbs or spilled food, as well as open food sources left outside.

Bed Bugs

Another type of pest that is more common in the winter is bed bugs, which seek out warm places to spend the colder months. As they frequently inhabit mattresses and bedding, you may notice them in your bedroom. Preventative methods, such as regularly laundering your bedding in hot water and keeping your bedroom clean and clutter-free, help reduce your chances of a bed bug infestation. You’ll need to hire a professional pest control company if they have already made their way into your home. Bringing bed bugs from outside sources into your home can be avoided. If you travel to a place known to have problems with bed bugs, you should thoroughly inspect your hotel room or other lodgings for signs of infestation. You’ll also want to properly clean or dispose of any contaminated clothing before bringing it home.  

Ants

Ants are another common household pest in the winter, as they seek food and shelter indoors. The best way to keep ants out of your home is to keep food in airtight containers and clean up any crumbs or spills as soon as possible. You should also check for cracks or holes in your walls or floors that ants could use to get inside. There are many home remedies you can use to deter ants from your home, however, should you have an infestation it would be best to contact your local ant pest control company as they may need to fumigate your house. Do some research to see which methods might work best for you. If you have pets or small children at home, it’s not always possible to completely eradicate crumbs. In this case, utilize those methods to reduce the ant population.

Cockroaches

Cockroach populations increase during the winter as they seek warm places to spend the colder months. They prefer damp and dark environments so you might find them in your kitchen or bathroom. Cockroaches can be difficult to eradicate once they have infested a space, so it is critical to take preventive measures to keep them at bay. You can seal any cracks or holes in your home and store food in airtight containers. You should also regularly clean your kitchen and bathroom to remove any potential food sources for cockroaches. Again, if the infestation has already occurred, you’ll likely need the help of Emergency Pest Control services to help get things back to normal. Cockroaches are notoriously resilient, but professionals know the best ways to get them out of your home.

If you find household pests in your home this winter, there are several options for getting rid of them. You have three options: set traps, use bait, or hire a professional exterminator. Whatever method you choose, make certain that you carefully adhere to the guidelines to ensure the safety of your family and pets. What works for a home with only adults will be vastly different than what you can use if you have pets or children. Always consult a professional if you have any questions. 

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