While many pests hibernate during winter, some are led to people’s homes by the harsh weather to seek shelter and warmth. These unwanted guests can contaminate food, damage property, and spread diseases, making winter pest control vital. If you want to be prepared for the cold season, read about a few common winter pests and the effective ways to eliminate them below.
- House Mice and Rats
House mice and rats are among the most problematic pests in any home. These rodents typically damage walls, insulation, and electrical wiring. What’s more? They munch on your food and contaminate them with their saliva or droppings, spreading diseases.
Typically, these warmth-seeking mammals find their way into your home through tiny cracks and holes. Sealing off any openings around doors, windows, and utility pipes and storing food in airtight containers will help keep these pests away. However, if you already have them inside your house, you can set up a bucket or live capture trap. But it would be best to call a professional exterminator for severe infestations.
- Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are common in winter because people love to travel during the Holiday season. These hard-to-notice critters hitch rides on travelers’ clothes and luggage to spread in hotels, airports, and homes. Although these pests don’t carry harmful diseases, their bites can be irritating and itchy. Also, they produce an unpleasant musty smell.
Eliminating bed bugs from homes can be challenging because their eggs are not easily destroyed, and they multiply rapidly. If you’re looking for a DIY method, you can isolate infested areas and heat-treat all affected bedding and clothing. Still, hiring a pest control company is the best way to remove bed bugs and avoid re-infestation.
- German Cockroaches
Like mice and rats, cockroaches are nasty winter-hardy pests that carry diseases. Some roaches hibernate during the winter, but German cockroaches don’t do so. Instead, they find food and shelter in people’s homes throughout the cold season.
Cockroaches multiply quickly, so you should eliminate them as soon as you spot them. You can use roach bait stations to destroy these pests. For a more pet-friendly option, you can try diatomaceous earth.
- Ticks
Although ticks are more active throughout the warmer months, these pests can also thrive and plague warm-blooded hosts during the winter season. These blood-sucking parasites carry many pathogens, including the ones causing Lyme disease. That’s why protecting your family from these pests is crucial. If you suspect a tick infestation, immediately contact a professional exterminator.
Protect Your Home From Winter Pests with Professional Extermination
Contact us at Arrow Services, Inc. if you’re searching for winter pest control in Indiana and other states. Our trained experts will quickly and effectively eliminate any infestations and prevent future invasions in your home.