If you’re like us, you are probably wondering where the fall season dashed off to. Just yesterday, we were ushering in a new year, yet Thanksgiving just passed us by, and we are headed full steam toward the winter season.
One of the benefits of the wintry weather, though, is that our pest-control problems are gone – at least temporarily. Right?
Not so fast, as there are seven common pests that head indoors as the temperatures drop. There’s a good chance they’re invading your home right now.
1. Ants
Ants can enter your home through tiny holes or cracks or arrive on outdoor items, such as plants or flowers. They’re colonizers; if you see one, there are more around. Ants are in search of food. If they’re in your home, they will make their way toward your kitchen or a food source.
2. Beetles
Beetles in winter are more common than you think. They’re in search of warmth from the cold. You’ll find beetles in winter hiding in the warmest areas of your home, such as near a water heater or the clothes dryer. They don’t cause much harm, but could multiply, infesting your house.
3. Ladybugs
Ladybugs are cute, as well as being productive members of your home garden. But when colder weather arrives, they could try and get into your house through window cracks and openings to shelter from the cold. They don’t bite but could swarm, secreting a yellow fluid with an unpleasant odor that could stain.
4. Silverfish
Silverfish are most common during the winter because they like damp, cold places. You’ll find them in a basement or a rarely used bathroom. A female silverfish that’s not kept in check could lay thousands of eggs, causing an infestation.
5. Cockroaches
Native to tropical African climates, cockroaches are unable to survive in temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. They’re more common here in eastern Virginia for this reason, and they like to infiltrate warm, damp spots in homes to overwinter.
6. Spiders
Spiders are year-round pests, but you may notice more of them when it’s cold outside. They’re in search of a warm and dark place where they can safely hide, such as basements, boxes, or rarely used corners.
7. Ticks
Although ticks are a summer pest, certain kinds are also considered winter insects. The deer tick, found here in eastern Virginia, is an active winter bug. They are one of the few bugs that bite during the winter, so keep an eye out for them around the house. In addition, check your dog thoroughly after a walk outside to make sure your pet isn’t carrying back any unwelcome guests.
If you see any of these seven bugs in your home in the newt few weeks, it could be a sign of bad things to come. Call us, and we’ll send one of our expert pest technicians to your home for a free inspection.
