Updated: May 14, 2024

Common Pests that Invade the Home During the Winter Season

Winter means cold weather, harsh conditions, and a lack of food for small critters and pests. Unfortunately, your home is ideal for shelter until spring arrives. To avoid this problem, you can be proactive about winter pest control in several ways. Our experts at EcoCare Pest Control are here to ensure your home remains pest-free all year. Here are some of the most common culprits.

Spiders and Cockroaches

While cozy sweaters and warm beverages are winter staples, so too can be creepy crawlies seeking refuge from the chill. This video, “Spiders: Why They’re in Your House, What They Hate the Most, & How to Stop Them,” sheds light on these unwanted houseguests.

Unlike popular belief, spiders (and their unwelcome cockroach companions) don’t hibernate. Instead, they actively seek warm, undisturbed spaces inside your home to escape the harsh winter. The video dives into their preferred hideouts – spiders favor dark corners of closets, attics, and basements, while cockroaches gravitate towards kitchens and bathrooms, lured by the promise of food and water.

But fear not! The video equips you with the knowledge and practical steps to keep your home pest-free. Here’s a sneak peek:

• Maintaining a Clean Kitchen: Crumbs and leftover scraps are a spider’s (and cockroach’s) buffet. Regular cleaning and swift garbage disposal are key deterrents.
• Vacuuming Frequently: Carpets provide a haven for unwanted guests. Frequent vacuuming disrupts their hiding spots and removes potential food sources.
• Trimming Foliage: Overgrown trees and shrubs bordering your home act as spider highways. Trimming them creates a barrier, making it harder for them to enter.

Remember, these wintertime invaders pose health risks beyond the creepy factor. By following the expert advice in the video and practicing consistent pest control, you can keep your home a haven for humans, not eight-legged or six-legged visitors. For those times when prevention isn’t enough, EcoCare Pest Control, with over 20 years of experience, is here to help!

Mice and Rats

As winter chills the air, unwelcome guests may be seeking warmth and shelter inside your cozy home. Mice and rats are two common winter invaders that can wreak havoc on your property and potentially spread diseases. Our accompanying videos, “Mice: How to Get Rid of an Infestation” and “Rats: What Causes Them to Come Into Your House,” offer in-depth solutions to these furry foes.

Both mice and rats are excellent at seeking shelter from the harsh winter elements. Their small size allows them to squeeze through tiny cracks and holes, making your home a prime target. They’re attracted to the warmth, potential food sources, and undisturbed spaces like attics and basements. Unfortunately, these uninvited guests can cause significant damage by chewing on wires, drywall, and even lead pipes.

The videos will guide you through the following:

• Identifying Signs of Infestation: Learn to recognize droppings, gnaw marks, and even the greasy trails left by rats to identify their unwelcome presence.
• Prevention is Key: Discover effective methods to keep rodents at bay, including proper food storage, sealing potential entry points, and eliminating clutter that provides nesting grounds.

If you suspect a mouse or rat infestation, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. The videos will also discuss the importance of contacting pest control experts to ensure a complete and safe elimination of these winter invaders.

By following these tips and utilizing the resources provided, you can reclaim your home from these unwelcome winter guests and keep your family safe and healthy.

Bedbugs

Bed bugs are tiny little pests that live in the seams of mattresses and, if the infestation is bad enough, in couches and carpets. Since bed bugs don’t hibernate through the winter, they’re known to move indoors during colder months. 

Unlike other seasonal pests, bedbugs don’t disappear when the temperature drops. Watch out for itchy bite clusters, rust-colored stains on bedding, or shed skins around your mattress – all telltale signs of a bedbug infestation. Many people aren’t aware they have an infestation until they begin waking up with itchy bites.

While the winter chill keeps some pests at bay, bedbugs are year-round invaders. Our included video, “Bedbugs: First Signs, Main Causes, & What to Do if You Have Them,” will shed light on these sneaky hitchhikers.

Contrary to popular belief, bedbugs aren’t picky about cleanliness. They can travel on luggage, used furniture, or even through cracks in walls from neighboring units.

If you suspect bedbugs, don’t panic! The video will guide you through essential steps – from identifying the bugs to contacting a professional for treatment. Remember, early detection is key to a successful elimination process.

Getting rid of them can be tough, which is why we specialize in bed bug removal. To prevent bed bugs from taking residence in your home, follow these winter pest control tips:

• Add a protective mattress bag to every mattress in your home that’s effective at preventing bed bugs.
• Spray your bedding with a solution of water and essential oils like cinnamon, clove, peppermint, or tea tree oil.
• Wash your bedding regularly, and watch for signs of bed bugs on your mattress by checking the seams in between each changing of the sheets.

Prepare for Winter Ahead of Time With EcoCare Pest Control

The best way to practice successful pest control in your home is by taking preventative measures. Winter pest control means making your home less appealing for pests to take up residence and harder for them to enter in the first place. That way, they’ll find an easier place to weather the cold. If you need help, contact EcoCare Pest Control today. We’ll happily provide a free inspection and a quote to keep your home pest-free all year.

Image Source: YULIYA Shustik //Shutterstock