How to Make Your Home Pest and Bug-Proof this Winter

You could believe that you are free from the insects that have been plaguing your home during the spring and summer now that autumn is drawing to a close and the holidays are just around the horizon. The reality is that pests do not slow down their activity throughout the winter; rather, they shift their priorities in order to survive.

The transition from autumn to winter in New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania is conducive to the survival of a wide variety of unwanted critters, such as spiders, rats, and stink bugs. It's true that when it's cold outdoors, you won't have to deal with as many insects, but that doesn't mean you should relax your efforts to keep your family safe from pests by reducing your pest management routine.

Which pests are more active during the colder months?

When there is a source of heat and a location for them to hide, insects and rodents are able to survive within a home. In the event that this did not occur, it is quite probable that they would expire after the first frost. They are considerably more inclined to congregate in close proximity to one another if there is a reliable supply of food. Be on the lookout for the following typical pests that may be found indoors throughout the winter.

Spiders

The presence of spiders throughout the year is one of the most dreaded and reviled aspects of being a homeowner. Despite popular belief, spiders do not die out over the winter months. Even when it is very cold outside, it is possible for there to be spiders in your home, particularly in the areas such as the basement, the bathroom, the garage, and other living spaces.

Wolf spiders, house spiders, and cellar spiders will make up the vast majority of the spiders that you discover in and around your home. Because none of them are harmful to human beings, individuals who are aggravated by their existence might consider them nothing more than an annoyance.

On the other hand, spiders that are not very prevalent, such as brown recluse spiders and black widow spiders, may be very harmful. Bites from black widow spiders have been known to bring on symptoms such as fever, elevated blood pressure, sweating, and nausea. As long as appropriate medical care is sought out as quickly as possible, deaths caused by bites by black widow spiders are unlikely to occur. There is no evidence that brown recluse spiders ever lived in either New Jersey or Pennsylvania. That is not to suggest that there is no possibility of discovering one concealed anywhere in your house.

In contrast to where we are, the midwest is where you will see them the most often. Even if you get a box that contains a brown recluse spider and the spider makes its way into your basement, it is still capable of living and thriving there. Their bites have the potential to cause muscle spasms and other unpleasant consequences, although this is only the case in the very uncommon event that it occurs.

Rodents

Mice are common in our region, and throughout the autumn and winter months, they often find their way into people's houses. The common house mouse can fit through small openings that you would not suspect it might utilize until you see its droppings. Because mice have bodies that may collapse, even seemingly benign openings, such as cracks in the foundation of your home or small gaps around the windows in your basement, might be luring them within.

In order to enter your home, they will ride the air currents that come into and leave your property. Once they are inside, all they need is a location to conceal themselves and a food supply, which may be seeds stored in your garage or pantry items in your kitchen. Since mice are nocturnal, there is very little probability that you will ever see one. The most reliable sign of mouse infestation is the presence of droppings.

Stink Bugs

Stink bugs are nocturnal creatures that spend the winter months hibernating in chimneys and wall gaps. Because of how effectively they can conceal themselves, you may not even be aware that you have stink bugs in your house. When the weather begins to drop down, often around October, stink bugs will move inside the walls of houses and commercial buildings. During the spring and summer months, stink bugs may be seen dwelling outside.

This may change depending on whether or not we get early autumn that is chilly or warm. Stink bugs are attracted to the warmth that your home provides, and once inside, they will make a home there until spring. In the spring, many homeowners mistakenly believe that they have a significant stink bug issue when, in truth, they are just watching stink bugs moving out of their homes to dwell elsewhere. The risks posed by stink bugs are rather low. They won't consume the wood in your house or do any other damage to it. There are a number of additional pests that act in a manner that is comparable to that of ladybugs and boxelder bugs.

When it's freezing outdoors, why do I still have bugs in my house?

During the winter, insects and rodents seek shelter inside so that they may avoid the harsh temperatures outside. Spiders and other insects are not designed to survive in temperatures below freezing. Their fragile bodies need protection from the elements in order to survive and flourish. Due to the fact that residential residences are temperature regulated, they are able to give the required area.

How can I protect my house from bugs throughout the winter?

As a homeowner, one of the most astute things you can do is make preparations in advance for the avoidance of pests during the winter. Make use of the following suggestions to keep unwanted guests out of your house this winter.

1. Conduct a thorough inspection of your home's foundation as well as its exterior. Do you see any spaces or cracks? They should be sealed to eliminate any possible access sites.
   
   
2. Vents should be repaired or replaced if they are damaged or old.
   
   
3. Maintain a clean and orderly kitchen. Pests come inside in search of warmer temperatures, but once they discover food sources, they remain.
   
   
4. Restore any electronics or home equipment that have been harmed by water. This may include appliances such as sinks and dishwashers.
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5. Set up an appointment for a qualified pest inspection. Professionals in the field of pest control are often equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct thorough inspections of residential properties in search of weak points that may allow insects, rodents, or birds to gain entry.