As the cold weather takes a foothold in NJ, residents have the same question: what winter pests should they worry about?
These pests include rodents and insects and can quickly infest a home. Take rats, for example. If a few rats enter your house and breed, they can create thousands of mice in a year. But the pests don’t stop there.
Stink bugs also reproduce quickly. In a year, you may find multiple generations of these insects in your home.
Spiders are another winter pest. If you have arachnophobia and don’t want these eight-legged creatures nesting in your house, you should work to prevent them from laying eggs indoors. Regardless of what pest you’re concerned about, the goal should be to prevent them from entering your home in the first place.
Stink Bugs
As fall and winter approach, you’re more likely to see stink bugs making their way indoors. During the winter they go into diapause, which is a type of hibernation. Before this happens, they look for cozy spots away from predators.
If your home has any types of cracks or gaps, they’ll enter. This could be in its foundation, siding, or window screens, so seal any holes you might notice. They can even enter through vents, which means you might struggle to prevent them.
Commonly, they’ll hide in attics and basements, where it’s quiet. You’ll find them on the warm side of dwellings, where they can absorb some heat.
Field Mice
Field mice are more common when it’s cold out. This means that you should start sealing your house up when fall rolls in.
If you have firewood near your home, move it far away, along with any piles of brush or leaves. Keep your yard tidy and lids on garbage cans. This works to deter mice from coming near your house.
Spiders
Spiders, like stink bugs, enter
diapause. Since it’s not a true hibernation, they’re still active in the winter.
It’s important to note that spiders don’t come indoors searching for warmth. They have a type of internal antifreeze, so if they’re coming inside, it’s because their food source is indoors. Instead, work to prevent all insects from coming inside, deterring spiders from entering.
Spiders are also active on warmer winter days. They use these days to leave their hiding spots and come out and hunt, so don’t assume that they’re dormant in the winter. If you see spiders in the house, then it may be time to call a professional pest removal service to treat a larger issue.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches inside the house pose an issue as they search for warm places to live. They also search for areas that offer them plenty of food and water.
If it’s mild out, they’ll stay outside, but when the weather gets cold, they move indoors. This means your house is a prime spot for them to hide. Should you see egg casings, roaches, or droppings, you may have an infestation.
Termites
It’s not uncommon to see termites in the winter, as they’re active this time of year. However, December to February marks a time frame where they’re less active in colder climates.
Some clear signs of a termite infestation include sagging or discolored drywall, peeling paint that looks like water damage, and hollow-sounding wood. Don’t disregard any signs of a pest infestation, as a small issue can quickly grow out of control.
Additionally, insurance companies usually don’t cover
animal damage repair. There may be exceptions, but it’s not always likely. This is usually true if preventative maintenance is available with
a professional pest removal company.
Ants
Ants in the house are common when it’s warm out as they’re actively looking for food. They tend to hibernate during cold months and aren’t as active.
This doesn’t mean you can’t have an infestation in the winter. A satellite colony may have set up shop inside your house. If this is the case, you’ll commonly find it near your bathroom or kitchen. Even if it’s cold out, this colony will be in full swing.
Professional Pest Removal in Sussex County, NJ
As temperatures drop, a pest infestation might increase. Your best line of defense is to expect that all pests could make their way indoors, taking precautionary measures to protect your house. Otherwise, your home and personal items could suffer from pest damage.
Whether you need routine pest removal or emergency services, Serene Property Services can help. We service all of Sussex County, NJ, and Warwick, NY, so
contact us today for an estimate.
