overwintering pests Archives | Page 3 of 9

Why Snake Control Is Important In The Fall

Aug 11, 2022 | Pest Control, Wildlife

As the season shifts from summer to early fall, cooler weather is around the corner. Many pests begin the hustle and bustle of preparing for winter – scavenging and storing food, finding a place to hibernate, or making their way into your home to overwinter. This time of year sees an increase in one pest in particular – snakes! Fall is a time for high snake activity and encounters with humans become more common.

There are many reasons snake control is important in the fall. As the leaves begin to change colors to red, orange, and brown and fall to the ground, they provide the ideal camouflage for snakes. Fall is also the time snakes begin to prepare for brumation and/or hibernation. Most snake species breed in the spring and eggs are hatched by the time autumn rolls around. These juvenile snakes are curious and more likely to be seen by humans. There are 6 venomous snake species in the southeastern United States and each of them actually breed in the fall. This means this time of year males will be actively seeking females to breed with, increasing your chance of an encounter with them. Overdevelopment in many areas has also depleted the natural habitats of many snakes, also increasing their chances of encounters with humans.

Because we see such an increase in snake activity during the fall, snake control becomes much more important. Here are some of our favorite snake prevention tips you can utilize this snake season.

Familiarize Yourself. Identifying snakes is critical to avoiding and preventing them. Do some research and find out which snakes are common in your area, what they look like, and where to find them. Identify any areas you spend time in outdoors that could potentially house snakes and try to avoid them.
Be Aware. Be aware of your surrounding when spending time outdoors. Look down when walking and check overhead when in wooded areas. Try to spot snakes before you walk right up on them.
Avoid Habitats. Snakes like to hide in areas that provide them protection and coverage from predators. They can often be found in tall grass, overgrowth, on or under large rocks, rock piles, and wood piles. If you have to walk through these areas, keep your feet and legs protected, keep your eyes open
Walk With Confidence. Snakes don’t have ears so they can’t actually hear you coming but they do respond to vibrations in the ground and can feel you coming before they actually see you. When walking outdoors walk with strong, confident steps and make your presence known.
Cover Up. If you choose to spend time outdoors, make sure to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants if possible. Try to avoid sandals and flip flops as they leave your feet and toes exposed to potential snakebites.
Look Up. Some types of snakes can actually climb trees and will even use overlapping branches to move from tree to tree without ever touching the ground. When walking or boating through wooded areas make sure to look up and keep an eye out for overhead snakes.
Clean Up. Making your home and yard less inviting to snakes will help keep them from coming in. Seal any cracks and crevices on the outside of your home to keep snakes out in search of warmth and food. Remove any debris and clutter from your yard and garage. Keep woodpiles elevated and stored away from your home. Clear any overgrowth from your yard.
Use snake repellent. There are many commercial snake repellent products on the market today. If you prefer a more green snake control option, there are also natural snake repellents you can make at home. Choose whichever option works best for you.
Call the Pros. Snake control can be a daunting task. If you have a problem with snakes around your home, contact your local pest control company who can help identify what type of snake you are dealing with and help safely and humanely get them away from your property.

You May Also Be Interested In:

Are Mosquitoes Still Active in the Fall?

What Attracts Centipedes To Your Home?

10 Ways To Care For Your Lawn In Extreme Heat

Preparing for Fall Wildlife

Back To School Means Head Lice Season

Signs of A Centipede Infestation

Jun 8, 2022 | Pest Control

While centipedes can be unsettling to find in your home, they aren’t actually harmful to humans and can be quite beneficial to have around. Centipedes will eat almost any other kind of bug (even other centipedes!) and can help keep other pest populations down. While they can bite humans, these instances are rare. They also don’t cause damage to your home. How do you know if you’re just seeing a random bug or if you’re dealing with a full-fledged infestation? Here are some common signs of a centipede infestation.

Seeing Centipedes Inside

The most common sign of a centipede infestation is seeing them in your home. Centipedes are yellow to dark brown with elongated bodies, about 1″ to 1-1/2″ in length. They also have dark stripes running down their backs. They can have up to 15 pairs of legs extending from their bodies with their hind legs longer than the other legs (often mistaken for antennae). Centipedes are usually seen at night and are commonly found near damp areas of your home.

Seeing Other Pests Inside

Centipedes will eat other bugs like ants, roaches, spiders, bed bugs, and silverfish. As the populations of these other pests increase in and around your home, so will centipedes looking for a meal. On the flip side, seeing an increased number of centipedes in your home could also indicate you have a problem with other pests, as well.

Time of the Year

Centipede infestations are more common in spring and fall than they are in summer and winter. Spring is the time of year when centipede eggs hatch. Any overwintering pests that have laid eggs inside your home will emerge in abundance when the weather warms up. Centipedes also become more prevalent in the fall when temperatures start dropping. They can’t survive temps below freezing so they will make their way indoors looking for warmth and shelter during the winter. They are especially attracted to moisture and will often be found in basements and bathrooms.

Centipedes can get into your home through cracks in the exterior or in foundations. Once inside, they’ll then hide out in dark damp places, such as drains, cracks, crevices, bathtubs, and sinks.

Getting rid of centipedes can be a challenge. If you have a problem with centipedes in your home, try:

Using traps. Sticky traps work best and can be bought at your local hardware store.
Drying out your home. Centipedes are attracted to moisture. Repair any leaks immediately. Use a dehumidifier when possible.
Sealing cracks and crevices. Centipedes love to sneak in through small cracks and crevices. Seal or repair these as soon as possible. Use weatherstripping around doors and windows. Use window and door screens when possible, also.
Pest Control. Because centipedes feed on other pests, consider routine pest control to help keep all of these nuisance pests away from your home. Contact your local pest control company for an evaluation and recommendations.

You May Also Be Interested In:

Termite Control Tips for Summer

Why Do I Have Ants in My Kitchen?

Is Green Mosquito Control Safe?

7 Signs You Have Cockroaches

Keeping Cool for the Summer

Spider Control for Spring

Apr 19, 2022 | Pest Control

Although spiders are considered a year-round pest, they become more visible and active in the spring. Overwintering pests like spiders emerge as the weather warms up to lay eggs for the approaching season. Spiders are predators, preying on smaller insects for food. They are usually not a huge threat to humans with only a few venomous species in our area. In fact, they can be quite beneficial to have around your home, working as a form of natural pest control by eating other insects you may have around.

If the thought of sharing your home with spiders creeps you out, don’t fret! Here are some spider prevention tips you can use this spring to help keep these pests out.

Keep your outdoor lights off at night. Many bugs are attracted to light at night, providing a feast for spiders who are hanging around.
Keep vegetation trimmed and your lawn mowed. Overgrown bushes, grass, and other debris give spiders the ideal place to hide.
Don’t stack wood or install mulch to close to the sides of your home. Spiders will not only hide out in these places but will also use them as a bridge to crawl into your house.
Make sure trees, shrubs, and other landscaping aren’t touching your home. Spiders will also use these to get indoors.
Clean up food and crumbs immediately, both indoors and outdoors.
Get rid of stacks of old newspapers, magazines, etc.
Dust frequently and vacuum weekly.
Make sure windows and door screens are intact. Spiders will use holes and tears to get inside.
Get rid of cobwebs both indoors and outdoors. Spiders will use these to store food once they catch their prey.
Apply diatomaceous earth to your yard. This is a nontoxic option for outdoor pest control that is harmless to humans.
Consider natural remedies to prevent spiders. Some common methods include the use of mint, citrus, and vinegar.
Contact a professional. Spiders can be difficult to get rid of on your own. A professional pest control company can help identify the type of spider you are dealing with; where they may be hiding, nesting, or getting inside; and the most effective way to treat them in your home.

You May Also Be Interested In:

4 Types of Termite Control

Protecting Your Pets from Fleas and Ticks

What Happens During the Bee Relocation Process?

When Should Mosquito Treatments Start?

Millipede vs Centipede – Which Is More Dangerous?

Stinkbugs: What Are They?

Feb 8, 2022 | Pest Control

Have you ever seen those armor-shaped bugs on the walls in your home? If yes, then you have a stinkbug problem. These bugs are attracted to warmth and are in search of protected, overwintering sites where they can enter houses in large numbers. With the right preventative measures placed throughout your home, these pests can be put to a stop.

Stinkbugs are an invasive species that tend to release an odor when disturbed or crushed. These foreign pests are native to China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan and were first identified in the States in the late 90’s. While these overwintering pests do not possess any real threat to humans, they can become a nuisance when an infestation occurs.

Stinkbugs are known to feed on a variety of host plants, including fruits (e.g., apples, peaches, figs, apricots, and persimmons), many ornamental plants, and weeds. While these pests don’t spread disease or cause structural damage, they are considered more of a nuisance to people if they make their way indoors. Stinkbugs prefer moist, mild climates and can be found in bathrooms and kitchens. Stinkbugs spend the spring and summer seasons outdoors then will seek shelter from the winter elements indoors.

During the winter months, stinkbugs go into a phase known as diapause, which is like hibernation, where the bugs go inactive during the chilly weather. When the stinkbugs find a spot to overwinter, they release a pheromone that attracts other stinkbugs to their location. While they typically stay dormant until spring, unusually warm spells during the winter can bring them out full force.

If you meet stinkbugs in your home, the best way to get rid of them is to vacuum them up and immediately dispose of the bag. When stinkbugs are threatened, disturbed, or squashed, they emit a smell that has been described as anything from cilantro to rotting almonds to spoiled fruit. The best way to prevent stinkbugs is to ensure that all cracks, crevices, gaps, or holes in your foundation are fixed. They can also enter through chimneys, air conditioning vents, or underneath house siding. Check these areas throughout your house to make sure there are no openings or gaps to help prevent them from entering.

If you suspect you have a problem with stinkbugs, contact a professional local pest control company who can help identify any entry points pests may be using and provide a treatment plan to eliminate them. They can also use a preventative spray in the late summer/early fall to help keep them out before the overwintering season sets in.

Do Roaches Die Off In Winter?

Jan 20, 2022 | Pest Control

Roaches are resilient pests that have survived millions of years on Earth. Cockroaches are naturally tropical pests, preferring warm, humid habitats to thrive in. In fact, most species of roaches will die off at temperatures below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Roaches have learned to adapt and are expert overwintering pests, making their way indoors to avoid exposure to cold temperatures and survive the winter.

There are four species of cockroaches in the United States that can survive year-round with the appropriate overwintering environment.

American Cockroach: The American cockroach usually lives outdoors but will come inside during the winter months. These roaches like water and are often found hiding out in bathrooms and laundry rooms. If they overwinter outside they can be found in decaying trees and woodpiles.
German Cockroach: The German cockroach is found throughout the United States. They commonly invade homes and can be difficult to eliminate once an infestation is established. They reproduce quickly, exploding their populations in your house. German roaches can survive winter as long as they find a humid environment and a food source (such as in your kitchen or under your appliances).
Oriental Cockroach: The Oriental cockroach is an indoor species but they will venture outside in search of food. These roaches must have water to survive and can often be found in basements, crawlspaces, and floor drains. If they overwinter outdoors they will hide out in rock walls or other areas that offer shelter and warmth. Oriental roaches only reproduce in the winter so their survival through the colder months is critical. They can tolerate lower temperatures than most other species.
Brown-Banded Cockroach: The brown-banded cockroach is found throughout the United States but is not as common as their German counterparts. These roaches are attracted to heat and can be found in near appliances, heaters, or anything else with an electric motor. They are often found in kitchens and prefer to hide out in high cabinets.

To answer the question above, roaches don’t necessarily die off in the winter. As long as they can find a warm place to shelter with a food source they can survive and reproduce year-round. The next question to ask yourself is, “How are they getting into my home?” Roaches can squeeze through openings as small as 3/16″ and will use any opening they find in your walls, siding, baseboards, and ceilings to get inside. Roaches are also notorious hitchhikers and will catch a ride indoors on bags, boxes, firewood, furniture, and appliances.

Keep roaches out this winter by: