spiders

Don't Allow These Four Pests In Your Home This Winter

When winter falls upon the land, most pests go into a deep state of hibernation but, there are a few pests that begin entering homes seeking out warmth and food for those long, dark winter months. Pest professionals freely advise homeowners to take precautionary measures against winter pests such as mice, rats, cockroaches and spiders for good reason. Follow our quick guide below and learn how to easily prevent these four winter pests from entering your home. 

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Mice

Mice are likely the most popular pest during winter months. The common house mouse will usually nest in dark out of the way areas. Attics, basements, and crawl spaces are very ideal for them to hold up in during the winter months. If left undisturbed, mice can cause property damage. Mice can chew directly through drywall and thin layers of wood. They can bite on electrical wiring causing sparks and electrical fires. Mice are also capable of contaminating stored food products and spread diseases like salmonella as they go from one bag or box of food to the next. 
Our quick tips:

  • Seal up cracks and crevices on the outside of the home with steel wool.
  • Keep areas free of clutter since mice like to hide in tight spaces.
  • Inspect your home for signs of mice like their droppings, chew marks and damaged food containers.

Rats

Rats will often nest in basements, mounds of debris, and piles of undisturbed materials. Rats will typically gnaw through almost anything  including plastic and pipes to obtain food and water. Like mice, rats are vectors of diseases, making them a serious threat to public health at times.
 

Our quick tips:

  • Since rats can fit through holes as small as half an inch, inspect your home for gaps and cracks. If found, fill with steel wool.
  • Eliminate moisture in crawl spaces and basements. Check to see that pipes and other such utility lines are secure.
  • Inspect your home for signs of rats including rub marks caused by oil in a rats fur, droppings, urine, and gnaw marks.

German Cockroach

German cockroaches are one of the most common roaches found in commercial and residential buildings throughout the world. German roaches prefer living in cracks and crevices close to food and water making the kitchens and bathrooms of homes a perfect habitat for them. German cockroaches will enter the home via paper and plastic bags from groceries, boxes from deliveries, and secondhand (or rented) appliances. German roaches can and will, if let go, contaminate food and spread bacteria, as well as certain human pathogens. Most startling and according to the CDC, cockroaches inside the home are considered allergens, and can exacerbate the symptoms of asthma, especially in children.

Our quick tips:           

  • Keep your counters and floors clean and wiped free of food debris.
  • Vacuum your home frequently and take out the garbage regularly.
  • Focus hard cleaning efforts in your kitchen and bathrooms with added attention under appliances and sinks. 

Spiders

Some spiders prefer spinning their webs in undisturbed locations inside the home. Closets, attics, and basements are likely areas within the home where spiders remain throughout winter months. Some spiders, like the brown recluse may be found inside cardboard boxes brought into the home during the holiday season. Black widows, typically found within or on objects dark in color, may be brought inside the home too during this time. Spiders tend to tuck themselves away near and along window frames, in the corners of rooms, and in seldom-used shoes hidden in the back of closets. All spiders have venom but the brown recluse and black widow may bite making them a danger to both children and adults.


Our quick tips:           

  • Trim trees and shrubs away from your house and cut limbs that overhang your roof.
  • Store seldom-used items in plastic containers since spiders like to hide inside almost anything undisturbed.
  • If you suspect you have been bitten by a spider seek medical attention as soon as possible because infections may occur. 

Top 5 Most Dangerous Pests Inside Your Home

When it comes to household insects most are of little concern. Unless, that is, you fear them. With only a handful of household pests actually being capable of harming you, it's good to know which ones you should be cautious of.

When it comes to household insects most are of little concern. Unless, that is, you fear them. With only a handful of household pests actually being capable of harming you, it's good to know which ones you should be cautious of.

For multiple reasons, people may fear ants or spiders in general. Some might freak out at the mere sight of a cockroach or silverfish scurrying through the pages of an old book that hasn't been open in years. Even though most insects cannot hurt you in any way, people fear them. As with anything, knowledge and insight fosters a greater understanding and thus this post. As a pest professional, I have spent more time over the years educating the public about insects than preventing or eliminating them. Fact is, insects serve a purpose and killing them is not always the way to go about resolving your fears. Instead, pest prevention is vital for not only their survival but, in limiting the frightful feelings you may experience when coming face to face with one. I have created the top 5 most dangerous insects to have inside your home. 


Why Are Spiders Associated With Halloween?

Steeped in mythology and folklore, bats and rats have frightened people throughout history but, what about spiders? According to pest professionals, the days leading up to Halloween are highly active with spiders, rats and mice. "This is a critical time of year for the so-called creatures of the night, as they try to enter your home in search of a safe and warm winter haven.

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Bats

Throughout history bats have been associated with supernatural forces and the occult. Improperly culturalized by their ability to navigate in total darkness and hunt at night, bats are extremely beneficial creatures and typically misunderstood. Removal and prevention is best left up to professionals as bats are mammals of an interesting kind. Since ancient times, bats have been considered signs of death, disease, and vampires. Activity in bat populations also become more apparent to people as the day's light shortens. So, no wonder these nocturnal and highly intelligent little creatures are commonly associated with the Halloween season.

Rats

During the Middle Ages, it was believed rats had a sixth sense able to predict disaster, disease and even death. They played a crucial role in many plagues throughout history and have the ability to destroy stored products, contaminate grains and other major portions of our food supply. While bats are always beneficial to us and nature rats differ in they are disease vectors and destructive at times. It's important to remember that rats seek shelter from the winter months in homes and other structures making them a direct association to Halloween.

Spiders

Spiders, throughout history and among numerous cultures have typically been associated with good luck, the creation of the world and universe, and healing. From Witches to the American Indians and back to the ancient Romans, spiders have never been depicted or associated with anything negative. ar from the truth so I ask why is it that spiders are commonly scene in decorations, horror, and anything frightening for that matter? The answer lies in the dead... what? True. During the medieval period it was thought that if someone saw a spider on Hallows Eve it was the spirit of a dead loved one watching over them.