As fall and winter approach, it's tempting to think that the end of summer means the end of bug bites and pest problems. However, colder months often bring a new set of challenges as these pests seek warmth and shelter in your home. Preparing your home for fall and winter not only involves cozying up but also taking steps to prevent unwanted guests like rodents, co*ckroaches, and spiders from invading your space. Here's how you can get your home ready for the colder seasons and keep pests at bay.
Why Pests Love the Colder Months
During the fall and winter, pests don't simply disappear; they relocate. As the temperatures drop, your warm, cozy home becomes an attractive refuge for bugs and rodents that would otherwise struggle to survive outside. According to pest control experts, pests like co*ckroaches, mice, spiders, and even ants are particularly notorious for moving indoors during colder months. They find the warmth, moisture, and darkness of your home to be the perfect environment to ride out the winter.
This migration of pests into your home isn’t just a nuisance; it can also be a health hazard! Rodents, for instance, are known carriers of diseases and can damage your home by chewing through wires, insulation, and even wood. co*ckroaches can contaminate food and spread bacteria, while spiders and other insects can cause discomfort and stress with their mere presence.
Common Fall and Winter Pests
Here are some of the most common pests that may seek shelter in your home as the seasons change:
- Rodents (Mice and Rats): These pests are among the most prevalent during the colder months. They tend to search for food and warmth, often nesting in attics, basem*nts, and storage areas.
- co*ckroaches: While many co*ckroaches die off in the cold, species like the German co*ckroach remain active, searching for dark and damp areas to hide.
- Spiders: Spiders tend to breed in the fall and may move indoors to avoid the cold, where they can lay eggs in hidden corners.
- Stinkbugs and Ladybugs: Though not harmful, these bugs can be a nuisance as they seek warmth in your home.
Steps to Pest-Proof Your Home
To protect your home from these unwelcome visitors, it’s essential to take preventive measures before the cold weather fully sets in. Here are some tips to keep your home pest-free:
- Install Window and Door Screens: Adding screens to windows and doors can help keep pests out while allowing fresh air in. Consider investing in Metro Screenworks' high-quality window screens, which are designed to provide effective protection against insects and other pests
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for any cracks, gaps, or holes where pests could enter. Pay special attention to areas around windows, doors, and the foundation. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal these entry points.
- Install Door Sweeps: Add door sweeps to exterior doors to prevent pests from slipping underneath.
- Store Firewood Away from Your Home: Pests like rodents and insects often nest in firewood. Store it at least 20 feet away from your home and elevate it off the ground.
- Declutter and Clean: Pests thrive in cluttered areas where they can hide undisturbed. Regularly clean and organize storage areas, basem*nts, and attics to minimize hiding spots.
- Keep Your Home Dry: Pests like co*ckroaches and silverfish are attracted to moisture. Fix any leaks, and consider using a dehumidifier in damp areas like basem*nts.
- Maintain Your Yard: Keep your yard clean and tidy by trimming bushes, raking leaves, and removing debris that could serve as shelter for pests.
Check Out Our Products for a Pest-Free Home
At Metro Screenworks, we offer a wide range of window and door screens that are perfect for keeping your home bug-free during the colder months. Our products are designed to block even the smallest pests from entering your home, allowing you to enjoy the season without the worry of an infestation.
- Custom Screens: Tailored to fit any window size, providing a perfect seal against pests.
- Pet-Resistant Screens: Durable enough to withstand the wear and tear from pets, these screens also prevent pests from entering your home.
- Retractable Screens: These screens offer flexibility and can be easily adjusted to fit your needs, providing a barrier against pests when you need it.
As you prepare your home for fall and winter, don’t forget to take steps to pest-proof your space. With the right precautions and the help of Metro Screenworks' quality products, you can keep your home safe, warm, and pest-free all season long.
FAQs
Additionally, spraying the house for bugs in early fall can help prevent access as they search for a place to hibernate. Sealing gaps in windows and doors, as well as cracks in siding and floorboards, can prevent infestations from occurring.
Should you spray your house for bugs in the fall? ›
Additionally, spraying the house for bugs in early fall can help prevent access as they search for a place to hibernate. Sealing gaps in windows and doors, as well as cracks in siding and floorboards, can prevent infestations from occurring.
How can I protect my house from pests? ›
Try pest prevention first.
Remove sources of food, water and shelter. Store food in sealed plastic or glass containers. Garbage containing food scraps should be placed in tightly covered trash cans. Remove garbage regularly from your home.
Should you spray for bugs before winter? ›
The wintertime is also the best time to spray for bugs. The spray that pest control companies use can be broken down by high temperatures, rain and sunlight. Those three things are less of a factor during the winter months.
Should you do pest control in winter? ›
Pest control treatments should be applied regularly depending on your needs. This helps keep pests away and avoid infestations. However, some homes may need it more or less often depending on a variety of factors. It's important to remember that pest control in the winter is important for most homes.
What smell do bugs hate the worst? ›
Bugs hate the smells associated with repellency, such as lavender, citronella, vinegar, peppermint, and geranium. These oils are considered a natural way of driving away bugs from your home without harming you, your family, and other animals.
Does keeping your house cold keep bugs out? ›
Your home provides warmth and shelter that attracts bugs during the cold winter. Keeping your house at a low temperature might attract fewer bugs, but it's an impractical and unnecessary solution to the problem.
How to seal a house to keep bugs out? ›
Seal cracks around windows and doors using good-quality silicone or acrylic latex caulk/sealant. Prior to sealing, clean cracks and remove any peeling caulk to help with adhesion. Repair gaps and tears in screens; the smaller the screen mesh, the harder it is for pests to enter.
How to have a bug free house? ›
One of the most effective ways to keep pests out is to control trash--something that isn't always easy to do with children in the house.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Wipe spills and crumbs promptly.
- Put dirty dishes directly in the dishwasher.
- Fix leaky faucets.
- Keep counters and tables clear.
Indoors, pest control will spray along your baseboards. Any pests that get inside will try to scurry along the walls, so spraying baseboards will discourage them before they can find a new lair after coming inside.
In terms of how often pest control should be done, it's best to keep on top of pest activity throughout the year. To be specific, pest control is recommended every two or three months for a regular home or busy workplace.
At what temperature do bugs go away for winter? ›
In fact, once the temperature falls to 37ºF, it's cold enough to kill mature fleas, eggs, larvae, and pupae. However, these temperatures need to be sustained for 10 days or longer, and this only applies outdoors.
When should I spray my house exterior for bugs? ›
Most Often, Early Spring is the Best Time to Spray for Bugs.
As the warmer months approach, many bugs, insects, and pests start to emerge after lying dormant for some time. This is a time when bugs are hungry, and your home is the perfect place for them to explore for food, leftovers, and even crumbs.
What month is best for pest control? ›
The best time for pest control in your residential and commercial buildings is in early spring. Spraying in spring allows you to destroy the pests' nests when their numbers are low. Given the low number of pest colonies and nests, the treatment will be more effective and long-lasting.
What time of day are pests most active? ›
If you've ever had pest problems, chances are they more pronounced in the early mornings or just after dark. That's because crepuscular pests are most active during those transitioning times of day.
Where do pests go in the winter? ›
Tree holes, leaf litter, and under logs and rocks are common shelters for overwintering adult insects.
Do you need bug spray in the fall? ›
So, should you spray for bugs in the fall? In short, yes. Fall pest control can be an essential step in ensuring a comfortable, pest-free environment for your home year-round. Remember, it's not just about the bugs you see, but also about preventing the ones you don't.
Should I apply insecticide in the fall? ›
In colder regions, apply systemic insecticides in very early fall. In warmer zones, wait until mid-fall or even later, depending on when or if trees become dormant for winter. Healthy–When plants are healthy, roots are more actively taking up water and nutrients from soil and will also take up the insecticide better.
What months should you spray for bugs? ›
Most Often, Early Spring is the Best Time to Spray for Bugs.
As the warmer months approach, many bugs, insects, and pests start to emerge after lying dormant for some time. This is a time when bugs are hungry, and your home is the perfect place for them to explore for food, leftovers, and even crumbs.
Should I spray for spiders in the fall? ›
Don't give bugs an easy way to infest your home, continue taking the steps for increased protection. While some may think that because of insect hibernation there is no need to spray the home during the fall, the opposite is true. Gear your home up for winter by spraying for pests.
