Common Winter Pests

Pest Expert Matthew S. Hess

When winter begins to creep in, it causes homeowners to begin worrying about potential common winter pests infiltrating their homes in search of shelter and food. Here at Four Seasons Pest Solutions, we believe every person deserves to live a pest-free and peaceable life. We’re pleased to offer a complete line of pest and nuisance wildlife control and prevention options that can be tailored to fit any situation.

Winter pests can differ from summer pests and may quickly become a problem. Cockroaches, bed bugs, mice, rats, and wildlife are common winter pests. However, wasps, flies, Asian lady beetles, stink bugs, and more are overwintering pests that may infiltrate your home in the fall. These pests can be a nuisance all winter long. They often become active on warm, sunny winter days and make their way into the living quarters from their hidden harborages.

Regardless of the pest, the season, or the environment, Four Seasons Pest Solutions is ready to eliminate your winter pest problems and prepare you for the spring insurgence as well! Continue reading to learn more about our Pest Control programs and which ones are right for you!

Here at Four Seasons Pest Solutions, we believe every human deserves to have a peaceful, pest-free existence, free of all pests including common winter pests.

With Four Seasons Pest Solutions on your side, you and your loved ones will be able to cozy-up to a pest-free life with our pest control services.

Bed Bug Control

Bed bugs are a prevalent pest that can be found all year round, if you know where to look. They cause alarm among many individuals when found in their homes- and understandably so. Few other pests can infiltrate our most private spaces like these bloodsucking nuisances.

There is a common misconception that bed bug infestations only occur in unclean and cluttered homes or among those with low economic status. However, this is far from the truth. Bed bugs do not discriminate and will infest any environment where they can find shelter and food. Being able to identify bed bugs is a first step in preventing them. Once you can identify them, you can perform random inspections to be sure you are bed bug free.

During colder temperatures and holiday seasons, people tend to spend more time indoors and visit their loved ones more often. This increase in human movement leads to a higher chance of bed bug infestations, as these pests rely heavily on humans to spread. If you suspect that you have a bed bug infestation, you can look for signs of their presence to determine whether you need to seek bed bug control. and treatment options. Plus, with Four Seasons Pest Solutions, you have access to a limited lifetime warranty against future bed bug infestations!

Cockroach Control During Winter

During the winter season, homes are more susceptible to cockroach infestations, particularly from the German Cockroach. These pests thrive in warm environments where they can find food and moisture. Contrary to popular belief, a clean home does not guarantee a cockroach-free environment. Even small amounts of food are enough to fuel the growth of cockroach populations, and any home can provide these resources.

Human movement and the transportation of various foods and merchandise are the primary culprits for the spread of German cockroach infestations. During the colder months, the holidays provide ample opportunities for infestations to spread among households, as friends and family gather and share items. Moreover, shorter days mean more time spent at home, which translates to more available food sources for cockroaches. These pests also prefer warm environments, which are readily available from winter heating sources.

Signs of German Cockroach infestations may include:

  • Droppings in and around cabinets and appliances, including electronic devices outside the kitchen. Dropping resemble coffee grounds and are more prominent around harborage areas like cracks and crevices.
  • Peculiar, musty odor not formerly present
  • Cockroach egg casings
  • An increase in asthma and allergy symptoms
  • Small brown bugs seen late at night or early morning

Winter Mice and Rats

Rodent infestations can prove to be a significant menace to modern households. The presence of mice and rats, in particular, demands immediate attention owing to the several problems they can cause. Not only can these pests transmit diseases and parasites to humans and pets, but they can also cause severe damage to property. Therefore, it is crucial to address rodent infestations promptly and effectively.

Although rodents are active all year, winter usually causes a significant uptick to their presence indoors. Whether they seek shelter for nesting sites or enter to find a source of food, rodents will leave behind several signs of their presence.

Mice and rats are common winter pests you could face. Four Seasons Pest Solutions offers pest control services to

Even in winter, mice and rats are actively looking for food and shelter. Your home could provide either.

Some signs of mice include:

  • Scratching and rustling noises in your walls or ceiling
  • Small droppings underneath your sink, in the pantry, under the stove or in your kitchen drawers
  • Gnawing marks or small holes gnawed into the wall
  • Eaten food items
  • Follow this link for more signs

Rat infestations may include:

  • Grease and rub marks on entry points and frequented areas
  • Holes and burrows about the size of a tennis ball around the foundation of your home
  • Large droppings about ½ inch long and cylindrical
  • Shredded nesting materials like cardboard, paper products, or insulation

Regardless of the species, rodents pose significant threats to human health and safety and should, therefore, be addressed by a professional pest control company right away.

Wildlife

Winter is a crucial time for many wildlife species as it is their mating and birthing season. During this time, animals need to prepare for the birth of their young by creating nests or finding a safe and warm place to bed down. Sometimes, human settlements can provide a suitable environment for animals to keep warm, and they can also serve as a source of food. Fruit trees, nuts, seeds, pet foods, and garbage are all examples of food that can attract hungry and cold animals, providing them sustenance during the harsh winter months.

It’s possible for creatures like raccoons, squirrels, and more to make their way into your home, causing a nuisance. Attics, chimneys, and crawlspaces are the most frequent locations for wildlife infestations. Skunks might be more prone to invade your space during the late winter months as they begin their breeding season. Any strange noises originating from your attic, crawlspace, chimney, or other less-trafficked areas of the house may indicate a potential infestation and warrant wildlife control.

If any indications of a wildlife infestation come to your attention, it is recommended that you contact a nuisance wildlife and pest control company such as Four Seasons Pest Solutions to perform a comprehensive inspection. Although there are a few DIY tips and tricks for controlling nuisance wildlife, it can be better handled by professionals. Keeping your home free from potentially hazardous wild animals is imperative. It is not advisable to attempt to remove wildlife without appropriate training and equipment. Several nuisance wildlife species may carry diseases and parasites that can be exceedingly dangerous to both humans and pets.

Wildlife can become a nuisance as winter approaches and they seek shelter from the cold and food for the winter. Squirrels, racoons and others are common winter pests.

As winter approaches, common winter pests can include several wildlife species. These animals may be in search of either food or shelter.

Insects that Overwinter

During the early fall, cluster flies, wasps, Asian lady beetles, stink bugs, spiders, and other insects tend to take shelter in homes and hibernate throughout the winter. These pests can be found in areas such as attics, crawlspaces, soffits, behind siding, and in cracks and crevices. Some of them may remain unnoticed throughout the winter, while others may emerge into living quarters on warm, sunny days. Although these pests generally pose no significant health risks to humans, they can be a major nuisance. Moreover, their fecal spotting and carcasses can create an unsightly mess.

Despite what many people think, pests do not stop in the winter. there are several common winter pests, like spiders, that can remain active through the winter.

Although less are seen during winter, spiders can remain active throughout the cold months. Pest control services should continue year-round to control common winter pests.

Wasps, bees, and other flying insects do not necessarily stop during the winter. Overwintering pests will become active on mild winter days. This means pest control service should go year-round.

Bees, wasps, flies, Asian lady beetles, and other flying pests overwinter in warm places, including homes.

How to Prepare for Common Winter Pests

If you want to get ahead of the most common winter pests, year-round maintenance and sanitation are key. All pests are looking for the necessary elements for survival. Reducing shelter, food, and water and maintaining that reduction throughout the year can be off-putting for pests. If your home is not a pest-friendly environment, you’ll have less pests.

By reducing water, many insect pests will vanish. Stopping entryways will stop nearly all pests. Eliminating harborage will discourage most pests. Making food sources scarce will aid in preventing pest infestations.

Steps to Reduce Common Winter Pests

  • Remove bird feeders and bird baths
  • perform regular cleaning on gutters and downspouts
  • direct rain water and runoff away from your home
  • Reduce standing water
  • Clean under fruit and nut trees
  • Empty gardens of all available foods
  • Keep garbage in approved receptacles and empty often
  • Do not throw food scraps outside
  • Perform regular maintenance on your home to reduce entry points (anything larger than 1/16 of an inch will allow pests access)
  • Repair all structural damage to your home immediately
  • Contact Four Seasons Pest Solutions for a full evaluation and winter preparation plan

Contact Four Seasons Pest Solutions for Your Somerset, KY and Surrounding Area Pest and Wildlife Control

Are you ready to enjoy the winter season without worrying about common winter pests invading your home and endangering your health? Here at Four Seasons Pest Solutions, we’re devoted to your well-being and safety, as well as the wildlife that attempts to infiltrate your home. Our staff members are dedicated to humane removal services and are proud to be family owned and operated since 1978. Schedule an appointment with a pest service you can trust today!

1-877-999-2849