Overwintering Pest Prevention Tips Everyone In Mooresville Should Know

What Are Overwintering Pests?

Overwintering pests are creatures that don't do well in the cold and look to our homes as a source of shelter to survive the winter months. The thing is, most pests are overwintering pests, but only a few exclusively invade homes during the colder months. Lady bugs, box elder bugs, and stink bugs are all great examples of pests that only come inside homes when the weather becomes chilly. Rodents, cockroaches, and ants, on the other hand, will invade your home year-round but might be more encouraged to do so as it gets cold outside.

Problems Pests Cause

All pests cause at least one of three problems which is what characterizes them as pests. They are either annoying, dangerous, or destructive. The annoying ones spread odors, crawl under your feet, buzz around your head, or make noise. Dangerous pests either transmit disease-causing organisms, bite, or sting. Rodents and cockroaches are two of the more dangerous pests that infiltrate homes due to the many diseases they spread. Finally, some pests destroy homes, termites being at the top of the list. These wood-eating pests chew tunnels through the structures of homes and, over time, can build up a hefty repair bill for you to pay.

Prevention Tips For Overwintering Pests

Your goal should be to stop pests before they find their way inside this winter. To help you accomplish this, here are some great prevention tips for overwintering pests:

• Clear up clutter and debris from around your yard.

• Store any woodpiles and untreated lumber at least 30 feet from your home's exterior.

• Keep your lawn and landscaping well-maintained.

• Make sure your home's gutters are clean and damage-free.

• Fix leaky piping and fixtures in and around your home.

• Use a caulking gun to fill in gaps, cracks, and holes in your exterior foundation. Add in steel wool for entry points wider than a nickel.

• Address problems with window and door screens, weather stripping, and door sweeps.

• Repair damage to siding, shingles, and your chimney.

• Check used furniture and other items for hitchhiking bugs before bringing them indoors.

• Clean your home at least once a week and do not neglect beneath large kitchen appliances, furniture, and other hard to reach areas.

• Make sure all of your trash cans have tight-fitting lids.

• Transfer your leftovers and food stored in plastic bags or cardboard boxes to airtight containers.

• Avoid feeding your pets outdoors and pick up and clean out their bowls after every meal.

If you are looking for an easier way to keep overwintering pests out of your home, let the Mooresville, NC pest control experts at Lake Norman Pest Control help. Using advanced pest control techniques, our team will place an invisible barrier around your home designed to keep pests out. There is nothing we love more than helping our community find freedom from pests.

Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive pest control plans or to schedule your home for a detailed pest inspection.