Most people start thinking of pest control when spring arrives and pests start to come out in full force. But what if waiting until spring is part of the problem? Although most property owners think pest control isn’t necessary during winter, nothing could be further from the truth.

If you want to get ahead of your pest problem once and for all, you may want to keep paying your contractor  to continue pest control treatments year-round. Here’s some information that will help you decide if you need pest control during the winter.

What happens to pests during the winter?

Have you ever wondered what happens to rodents when colder weather sets in? They’re not as active outdoors as they are in the spring and summer. Instead, they seek out areas that are warm and have food. They’ll wriggle their way into property’s through any tiny crack or hole they can find.

That’s why it’s especially important to continue pest control inside and around the exterior of your property in the winter.  If you fail to do so, you could end up with a major rodent problem by the time spring arrives.

Which pests hibernate in the winter?

Not all pests stay active through the winter. Some, such as carpenter ants, cluster flies, and boxelder bugs, stay dormant in cold weather. Their inactivity can lead you to think you don’t have any pests. But as soon as things start to warm up, they’ll become highly active again.

Since these types of pets like to hide out in the attic and other dark and undisturbed places, it’s wise to vacuum and/or sweep your attic multiple times per year. If you notice signs of an infestation when you inspect your attic, call pest control right away, no matter what time of year it is.

What do spiders do in the winter?

Like boxelder bugs and ants, spiders tend to become a little less active in the wintertime. However, that’s also the time when tiny baby spiders hang out in egg sacs waiting for warm weather to arrive. The last thing you want to do is allow these babies to survive long enough to swarm your property in the spring.

To kill off the adult spiders and their babies before you have an arachnid crisis on your hands, you need to continue receiving pest control services through the winter. At a minimum, you should have the exterior of your property sprayed thoroughly.

If you aren’t sure whether you need interior pest control services, take a walk around your property. Check under tables, behind chairs, and between carpets and walls. These are all common areas where spiders like to lay their eggs. If you see any signs of egg sacs, it’s time to call a pest control company.

How can you prevent pest infestations?

In addition to getting pest control services year-round, you can also prevent infestations by keeping firewood stored away from the property, repairing damage to screens and windows, and caulking any cracks around doors and windows.

Still not convinced you need wintertime pest control? Call pest control experts and have them inspect the interior and exterior of your property. They’ll let you know if they see signs of a problem.

About the Author

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Cindy Foster is the content marketer and communications strategist for KY-KO Pest Prevention, a professional pest control service in Mesa, Arizona. Cindy enjoys conducting research and sharing articles on how homeowners and property managers can keep their propertie away from unwanted pests.