Five Most Common Winter Pests

Many of us think pests only invade our homes during the summer when the temperatures are mild and we’re prone to leaving doors and windows open. However, the truth is that just like you want a nice warm place to call home during the cold winter months, so do certain types of unwelcome guests. In order to keep control over these critters and protect your home from an infestation, it’s important to know what to look for!

Critters

• Mice are very cute in cartoons — but in real life when in your house uninvited, they’re not cute at all. First of all, they can spread dangerous diseases, including Salmonella and the potentially fatal Hantavirus. They can also destroy your property by gnawing through wood, wires, and drywall, as well as personal possessions. What’s more: They carry fleas and worms that can seriously affect your pets’ health. In general, mice like to nest in dark, cluttered places but will come out when it’s quiet — usually in search of food. If you notice droppings; damage to your walls, floors, or furniture; or food that’s been affected, you’ve probably got mice.
• Rats tend to like dark, dank places like basements and crawlspaces where they can find bugs and other sources of food. They’re probably even more destructive than mice, since they’ll gnaw through plastic and even metal to find food. And just like mice, they carry diseases, including Hantavirus, rat-bite virus, salmonellosis, and leptospirosis, as well as bacteria and worms that can harm your pets.
• Raccoons are typically outdoors creatures, but during the winter, they can come to your home looking for a nice warm place to nest. They can destroy your property and, since some are infected with rabies, can pose a serious health hazard to you and your pets.

Creepy-Crawlies

• Bedbugs are some of the most difficult pests to get rid of, and once they’re in your home, you’ve got a problem, even in the winter. If you notice red spots on your skin or blood on your sheets, you’ve probably been bitten. In some cases, you might even see them crawling. They breed very quickly, and unfortunately, many people who deal with a bedbug infestation have to throw a lot of their affected possessions away.
• Spiders can be found in homes all over the country. In certain parts of the U.S., the brown recluse spider can be a problem during the winter. While they’re always present, they’re likely to try to find a way indoors to escape colder temperatures. They hide in dark, quiet spaces like crawlspaces, attics, basements, and closets where they won’t be disturbed. Note that they often climb into cardboard boxes, as well as shoes and clothing that’s not used often — and if you disturb them, they will bite. Their bite is venomous, so you will need to seek medical attention right away. It’s also important to know that they reproduce quickly.

What You Can Do

If you notice any of these pests in your home, you need to take action immediately. If you wait too long, the problem will only worsen. Call your trusted pest control company as soon as possible. Remember: The best way to deal with pests is to let a professional with experience eliminate the problem for you!

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