Winter Pests in Virginia: What You Need to Know

Winter is an ideal time for pests to invade your home, as they are looking for warm places to stay during the cold months. If you live in Virginia, there are certain winter pests you should be aware of and take steps from which to protect your home. Read on to learn more about the most common winter pests in Virginia and how you can keep them out of your home.

Rodents

Some of the most common winter pests in Virginia are rodents such as mice and rats. These critters are looking for cozy spaces that are warm and dry, so they’ll seek shelter within your walls or attic. They can cause a lot of damage by chewing through wires and insulation, which can be a fire hazard. Additionally, rodents carry diseases such as salmonella and hantavirus that can affect humans if contracted. To prevent rodents from entering your home, make sure to seal up any cracks or crevices around windows, doors, and other openings with caulk or steel wool. Additionally, keep food stored away properly in sealed containers, as well as keep clutter away that could provide hiding spots for rodents.

Insects

Insects such as cockroaches, ants, fleas, ticks, and bedbugs can also become a problem during the winter season in Virginia. Many of these insects enjoy dark hiding spots where they won’t be disturbed, such as behind furniture or appliances where they can remain dormant until the warmer weather arrives again. To prevent insects from invading your home this winter, it’s important to regularly clean up any crumbs or food spills that may attract them, as well as to regularly vacuum carpets to remove eggs or larvae that may have been left behind from previous insect invaders. Additionally, use caulk or steel wool to seal off any potential entry points into your home, such as cracks around windows or door frames.

Birds

Birds may seem harmless but they, too, pose a threat during the winter season in Virginia, because their droppings can spread germs throughout your home if not cleaned up quickly enough. Bird droppings also contain an enzyme called uric acid, which makes them exceedingly difficult to remove when dried on surfaces such as windowsills or walls. To discourage birds from roosting near your home this winter, replace broken window screens and add bird spikes along roof lines where birds may gather because these areas provide warmth from direct sunlight exposure during colder days. Additionally, consider adding a scarecrow decoy near bird feeders, which helps deter birds from gathering near your property because they perceive it as another predator that might attack them if given the chance.

When in Doubt, Call Us

Winter can bring some unwelcome visitors into our homes here in Virginia – especially when it comes to pests. Rodents such as mice and rats seek shelter within our walls while insects such as cockroaches look for dark hiding spots throughout our homes while birds flock toward areas with access to heat sources during colder days outside.

Fortunately, there are several ways we can protect ourselves against these pesky creatures by sealing any potential entry points into our homes with caulk or steel wool, cleaning food spills quickly before they attract unwanted guests, replacing broken window screens, adding bird spikes along roof lines, and setting up decoys near bird feeders. By taking these precautions, we can ensure our homes stay safe this winter season and on into spring. And remember, if you are experiencing an infestation, contact the professionals at Eco Pest Control. Our highly trained pest control technicians will find the source of the problem and eliminate it.

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