Protect Your Home From Winter Pests

Californian winters mark a change in the behavior of common pests and bugs. Some animals go dormant, but warm, food-abundant homes attract the attention of certain insects and rodents. As a result, you may find winter pests seeking shelter in your basement, crawlspace, closet, or other secluded corners of the house. To keep these pests away from your home or business, you’ll need the help of pest control specialists like Millennium Termite & Pest. Some critters to watch out for this winter include:

1. Squirrels

Ground squirrels may look cute scampering across the yard, but they threaten the properties and landscaping of many homeowners. After discovering numerous holes and chewed-up exteriors, you may think twice about their cuteness. These pests may even nest in your attics and walls, leaving urine and feces behind as they search for food. So call an exterminator if your squirrel infestation becomes too much to handle.

2. Ants

It’s a common belief that ant activity increases in the warmer months as colonies wake up from dormancy. So you may feel surprised at the sight of ants invading your home in winter. The truth is that ants can be a nuisance regardless of the time of year. When these insects burrow into temperature-controlled homes, the warm environment spurs winter activity like foraging and nesting. So, evidence of ant infestations in the colder months could mean a colony living in your walls. To prevent food contamination and property damage, hire an ant control professional for help.

3. Mice And Rats

Mice and rats thrive in warm homes with abundant food sources during the winter. They easily fit into tiny openings, cracks, and holes in your property. You can seal window gaps and foundation cracks to the best of your ability, but these rodents may invade your house. Mice and rats gnaw through insulation, wooden structures, and walls to form nests and reach your food.

4. Spiders

Spiders often don’t seek warm spaces during wintertime. Some enter diapause, a process similar to hibernation, while others are perfectly adapted to colder temperatures and remain active. And an absence of spider activity doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have spiders. The black widow, for example, may go dormant or slow its activity in the winter. However, they can still live in your home’s dark, isolated corners and spring to action at the turn of the season.

5. Cockroaches

The dreaded cockroach triggers disgust in many people who see them. And we don’t blame you for wanting to stay far, far away from these hazardous disease carriers. So you might not be happy to hear that roaches prefer to live in warm, toasty homes in the winter. To prevent an infestation, store food in sealed containers and maintain a clean house. But when all else fails, contact a cockroach exterminator to rid your home of these pests.

Contact Millennium Termite & Pest Today

Winter pests will take advantage of every opportunity to invade your warm home. Our pest control experts recommend sealing entry points and limiting easy access to food and water. Preventative measures keep most properties safe, but some pests slip past these defenses. So if you come face-to-face with a pest infestation this winter, turn to Millennium Termite & Pest for help. We’ll protect your home from burdensome winter pests. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an extermination!