Spring and summer are the times of the year that most people associate with pest problems. Mosquitos and ants seem to come out in droves with the sole aim to ruin all of your outside fun. It can also feel like pests become more active on the inside of your home during the warmer months.
But, what happens as the weather cools? Are there some pests that will look for shelter inside your home? There are pests that will seek the warmth of your home during the winter along with the food and water supply.
Spiders
Some spiders will attempt to make their way inside to escape the extremes of winter. You may not notice this in your home because spiders are especially adept at hiding. They generally look for out of the way and/or hard to reach areas to make their home. If you are concerned with the thought of spiders in your home this fall and winter then take a look behind and under furniture for sightings and signs of their existence.
Rats
Rats are definitely unwelcomed guests in most homes. These large rodents can bring in disease, contaminate your food supply, and elicit fear once their presence is known. Rats require a larger opening than other pests to get into your home. Keep an eye out for significant breaches in the perimeter of your home. You should pay special attention to areas like your garage and attic for potential entry points.
Mice
Mice can squeeze into your home through very small openings. They want the consistent temperature of your house as well as the food and water you provide. Mice can easily get into your cabinets and eat through packaging to gain access to food. They are excellent at hiding so you will have to look for signs of their existence in order to identify problem. Chewed up packaging inside your cabinets is a telltale sign of a mice problem. You can also look for mice droppings which are small, cylindrical, black, and typically found in a grouping.
Other rodents
There are other types of rodents that may also look to your house for shelter as the weather cools. One example is raccoons. Raccoons are large compared to other types of pests so they need a large access point in order to get into your house. The most likely spot for this type of breach is around your roof line or attic access. The first sign most homeowners notice of a raccoon infestation is noise from the attic. If you suspect that any type of large rodent has infested your house then call in the help of a professional. These creatures can spread disease and have the potential to be aggressive if they feel threatened.
The cooler weather provides a reprieve from some types of pests but not all. Keep up with your home maintenance and occasional pest inspections throughout the fall and winter. You can also talk to your pest control professional about the potential for pests during the fall and winter and your options for prevention.