overwintering pests Archives | Northwest Exterminating

When Do Overwintering Pests Emerge?

Jan 26, 2024 | Pest Control

As the temperatures drop in Georgia and winter sets in, many pests seek refuge within the warmth of our homes. These unwelcome visitors, known as overwintering pests, can pose serious hazards to both our homes and our health. In this blog post, we will explore common overwintering pests, how they find their way into our homes, the risks they present, when they emerge, and most importantly, how to prevent their invasion. If you find yourself facing a pest problem, don’t hesitate to take action – request a free pest control quote today.

Common Overwintering Pests

Stink Bugs: These shield-shaped insects often gather on the sunny sides of buildings during the fall and make their way indoors seeking shelter.
Ladybugs: While harmless to humans, large clusters of ladybugs can become a nuisance when they enter homes seeking warmth.
Cluster Flies: These flies typically infest attics and wall voids during the winter months.
Boxelder Bugs: Recognizable by their red and black coloration, these bugs can become a significant issue when they invade homes for shelter.

How They Get Into Your Home

Overwintering pests use various entry points to infiltrate your home. Common entryways include gaps around windows and doors, cracks in the foundation, and openings around utility pipes. Once inside, they seek out warm and secluded areas to hibernate during the colder months.

Hazards to Humans and Homes

While overwintering pests are generally not harmful to humans, they can become a nuisance in large numbers. Some pests may release unpleasant odors or stains when disturbed, while others, like stink bugs, emit a foul-smelling liquid as a defense mechanism. Additionally, the presence of these pests can lead to contamination of stored food items.

When and What Happens When They Emerge

Overwintering pests typically emerge in the spring as temperatures rise. The emergence can be sudden and overwhelming, leading to a surge in pest activity. This is the time when homeowners often notice an increased presence of these pests in and around their homes.

Prevention Tips

Seal Entry Points: Conduct a thorough inspection of your home and seal any gaps or cracks that pests can use to enter.
Install Screens: Use screens on windows and doors to prevent pests from gaining access.
Maintain Landscaping: Trim vegetation away from your home to eliminate potential bridges for pests to enter.
Professional Pest Control: Consider hiring a reputable pest control company to perform routine inspections and treatments to keep overwintering pests at bay.

If you’re concerned about overwintering pests invading your home, take action now. Request a free pest control quote from your local pest control company and ensure a pest-free environment for you and your family.

Understanding the behavior of overwintering pests and implementing preventive measures is key to safeguarding your home. By following these tips and being proactive, you can enjoy a pest-free living space even during the colder months. Don’t let winter pests take over – request your free pest control quote today.

When Are Ladybugs Most Active?

Jun 21, 2023 | Pest Control

There are over 5000 species of ladybugs worldwide. These insects, also known as ladybird beetles or lady beetles, are common throughout North America. Their appearance varies depending on the species; colors can range from red to orange and they can have spots, stripes, or even no pattern on their dome shaped bodies.

Ladybugs are harmless to humans and are even considered to be good luck in some cultures. They are beneficial to have around as they eat aphids and other plant-eating pests. While they are harmless to us, they can stain walls and furniture in your home and give off an odor.

Ladybugs are most active from spring to fall. Once the weather cools off, they will search for warm, isolated places to overwinter, such as rotting logs, under rocks, or inside our homes. When the weather warms up again, they will emerge from their hiding spots, seemingly taking over the homes they infested.

You can get rid of ladybugs by:

Sealing them out. Plug any holes in exterior walls, seal doors and caulk around windows.
Plant flowers. Ladybugs are attracted to flowers and gardens. By providing them with a food source outdoors, they will be less likely to make their way indoors. They do not like mums. Consider planting or placing potted mums near or around the doors and windows of your home.
Vacuuming. Vacuuming won’t kill them but it will make it easier to get them out of your home. Make sure you vacuum them into a sealed container and then either release them outside or dispose of them.
Use diatomaceous earth. DE is a powder that dehydrates insects. It is nontoxic to both humans and pets.
Repel them. Ladybugs dislike certain scents including citronella, citrus oil, cloves, and bay leaves. Spray or place these near windows or other infested areas.

If you have an issue with ladybugs or other household pests, contact your local pest control company for a free evaluation.

Why Do I Have Ladybugs Indoors?

May 22, 2023 | Pest Control

During the spring and fall you will often see an influx of ladybugs in your home. While they don’t pose a real health threat to you, they can stain carpets, upholstery, and walls. Why are these pests invading your house and how can you get rid of them?

Ladybugs will make their way indoors in the fall to overwinter in the warm shelter of your home. Once inside, they will hide until the warm weather of spring comes back around. It is at this time they will reemerge to try and return outdoors to reproduce.

Once inside, you will often find them clustered together in the corners of attics and basements or near doors and windows, especially those with large amounts of light. Once they make their way indoors, ladybugs will release a pheromone that signals other ladybugs to follow them.

Although they aren’t harmful, ladybugs can be a nuisance, especially when they invade in large numbers. You can prevent ladybugs by:

Winterizing your home using weatherstripping on doors and windows, using tight fitting screens, and caulking or sealing any cracks or other potential openings.
Vacuuming. You can use a vacuum cleaner to safely relocate live ladybugs outside. Put a rag between the dust bag and the hose to catch them, then release them once you get them outdoors. You can also vacuum dead bugs so they don’t stain paint and fabric.
Using natural repellents to deter them. You can put a small bag of bay leaves or cloves near areas of your home where you often see them gathering. You can also use essential oils sprayed in populated areas to repel them. Some scents include citronella, menthol, peppermint, clove, and citrus.

If your DIY efforts are futile or you just want the help of a professional, contact your local pest control company for an analysis.

Why Am I Seeing Rodents in Spring?

Apr 28, 2023 | Pest Control, Wildlife

Rodents such as mice, rats, and squirrels are overwintering pests, taking refuge inside your home during the colder months of the year. When spring arrives, these pests are already hiding in your attic, basement, crawlspace, garage, and even inside your walls. As the weather warms, they emerge for two reasons: searching for food and breeding season.

Rodents are dangerous to have inside your house for many reasons including:

Chewing through wiring, drywall, and insulation
Increasing your exposure to fleas, ticks, lice, mites, and more
Contaminating your home with their urine and feces
Spreading diseases like hantavirus, plague, and tularemia

Keeping rodents out of your home during any season of the year starts with prevention. Implement some of these rodent control tips this spring:

Inspect doors and windows for loose or broken seals and repair or replace them immediately.
Use screens on doors and windows, especially ones that are opened frequently.
Seal any exterior cracks or gaps.
Use mesh screens on chimneys, downspouts, and vents.
Seal food in canisters with lids.
Use trashcans with lids.
Keep your yard mowed and shrubbery trimmed.
Get rid of any yard debris.
Keep firewood away from your house.
Vacuum everywhere, especially where crumbs might be present.

If you have a problem with rodents or any other household pests, contact your local pest control company for a thorough evaluation.

You May Also Be Interested In:

The Differences Between Bumblebees and Honeybees

When Are Termites Most Active?

Common Rats and Mice You Might See this Spring

A Step-by-Step Guide to Spring Lawn Care

Protecting Your Pets from Fleas and Ticks

14 Tips for Winter Pest Control

Jan 20, 2023 | Pest Control

Despite our best wishes, pests don’t just disappear when the weather gets cold. Winter pest control becomes critical to keeping your house protected during the season. Overwintering pests will make their way indoors to escape the cold and have access to a plentiful food supply. Common overwintering pests include roaches, spiders, and rodents.

Overwintering pests pose a threat to both you and your home. They can chew through wires and insulation, contaminate surfaces and food, spread diseases, and trigger allergies and asthma.

Help protect your home with these 14 tips for winter pest control:

Seal any cracks, crevices, and holes on the exterior of your home.
Seal around utility pipes that enter your home.
Replace or repair weatherstripping and screens.
Elevate your firewood and store it at least 20 feet from your home.
Declutter, especially in the basement, garage, and attic.
Repair any leaky pipes to reduce moisture.
Keep gutters free of debris.
Install doorsweeps.
Install chimney vents.
Keep attics, crawlspaces, and basements dry and ventilated. Consider crawlspace enclosure.
Keep floors and counters clean daily.
Dust, sweep, and vacuum regularly.
Empty the trash regularly.
Invest in routine pest control throughout the entire year.