In preparation for the winter months ahead, it’s a good idea to know what common fall pests are preparing to move inside, and what you can do to prevent these invaders from taking residence in your home. This time of year, the most common types of pests are overwintering pests – pests that come looking for shelter during the cold months. In central Ohio, the most common overwintering pests are mice, ladybugs, stinkbugs and spiders. Although wasps are also commonly found hiding out around garages, gazebos and other outdoor structures.
Many times, these invaders go unnoticed, successfully hiding without detection all winter long, only to be discovered as they emerge in the springtime. Most overwintering pests do not cause harm to humans or their property. But pests like mice or roaches can be very destructive. Knowing what signs to look for with overwintering pests can help prevent their invasion before it starts:
- Dropping from rodents
- Spider webs
- Screens with holes or tears
- Chewed-through wires, woodwork and furniture with teeth marks
Because most overwintering pests are discreet and don’t show many signs of destruction or obvious mess, it’s important to know where to find them. Overwintering pests usually hide in out-of-the-way locations – places that are often undisturbed and overlooked, such as:
- Attics, basements and crawl spaces
- Cupboards, closets and storage units
- Holes, cracks and crevices within interior and exterior walls
- Behind large appliances
- Outdoor structures
But don’t despair – there are many ways to prevent pests from entering your home over the winter. Many of our same cold-weather preparations and preventive actions can be used to secure and seal off our homes from potential pests, including:
- Caulk and seal all holes, cracks and crevices of your foundation, windows and doors
- Clean, organize and de-clutter cupboards, closets and storage units
- Discard paper and cardboard boxes (as these attract pests)
- Seal storage and food items in tight, secure plastic containers
- Check pipes and plumbing for leakage
- Leave firewood outside away from the house
- Place mesh screens on foundation or attic vents
Although not always completely avoidable, overwintering pests are normally more annoyance than a threat. With the right precautions and preparations, you can greatly reduce potential invaders in your home. Should those unwanted guests become a problem, contact a professional pest expert like ScherZinger Pest Control.