With fall in full swing, it’s important to be on the lookout for common fall invader pests. What happens to pests in fall? Which pests should you watch out for? Keep reading to find out!
What Happens to Pests in Fall?
As we mentioned in a previous post (How the First Frost Affects Pests), there are a number of pests that stick around as the weather cools. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that pests die out in fall and winter!
While some pests do start to die out or go dormant around this time of year, there are others that survive the cold. They “overwinter,” or seek out places with warmth and shelter to ride out the winter. Often, that place is your home!
These fall invader pests can grow into a large, problematic infestation in your home if you don’t act fast.
Which Pests Are Common in Fall?
There are a number of pests that are common in fall. These pests include:
- Stink bugs
- Asian lady beetles
- Rodents
- Cockroaches
- Bed bugs
- Termites
- Spiders
- Boxelder bugs
- Centipedes
- Silverfish
- Beetles
- Ticks
Some of these pests, like stink bugs, boxelder bugs, and Asian lady beetles, enter homes to avoid the cold. When fall hits and the temperatures drop, you’re likely to find Asian lady beetles clustered in large numbers on your wall, for example.
Other pests—like spiders and termites—change their behavior in fall and winter, but they’re still active. Spiders like the Joro spider come out of their hiding places in your home during fall as they search for mates. (Most spiders you see in your home aren’t coming from outside; they’re already in your home.) Termites, on the other hand, seek out warmer temperatures—often burrowing deeper underground where it’s warmer. However, if there are termites in the walls of your house already, they’ll keep chewing through your walls all winter.
Still others on this list are active year-round, like rodents, cockroaches, bed bugs, and ticks (specifically deer ticks). These pests aren’t killed off by freezing temperatures. They continue to seek out food, water, warmth, and shelter from the elements as normal.
How to Keep Fall Invaders Out of Your Home
The best way to keep fall pests from invading your home is to take precautions. These include things like:
- Repair or replace holes in window and door screens
- Seal any cracks in the exterior of your home with caulk or weatherstripping
- Install rodent-proof screens on vents
- Vacuum and dust regularly
- Inspect items you bring into your home (like your Christmas tree) for hitchhiking pests
- Wipe off counters daily and clean up spills immediately
- Keep your sink free of dirty dishes
- Empty your trash can every day
- Store your food in glass or metal containers (rodents can chew through cardboard and even plastic)
- Fix any leaky pipes throughout the home
A home with lots of cracks and holes allows pests to enter freely. A home with lots of food and water available lays out the welcome mat for pests. Taking the steps we listed above helps make your home more pest-proof and, if pests do enter, makes your home less hospitable for them.
Most importantly, stay on the lookout for the signs of pests.
Need Fall Pest Control?
If fall pests have invaded your home, we’re here to help.
Contact Scherzinger Pest Control, a trusted pest control company in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas, including Dayton, OH, and now Columbus, OH. We’ve been pioneers, engineering new standards for ways of eliminating and controlling bugs and pests. Contact us by phone at 1-877-748-9888 or through our website, Facebook, or Twitter.
