Baby, it’s cold outside! Well, as cold as it gets here in Central Florida. But, even though we won’t be shoveling snow off our driveways any time soon, the temperature change has an unquestionable effect on our lives and homes. When the temperature dips into the 40s and 50s, many Floridians head inside to warm themselves by the space heater! And while you’re all cozy and warm inside your home this season, you may not realize others are trying equally as hard to find a warm spot indoors to rest.
Often we are so focused on the spring and summer pests like termites, mosquitoes, and love bugs that we don’t even consider the pest control necessary to keep our homes safe and clean all year long. If your pest control company isn’t making plans for a pest-free winter, it’s high time to find a local team to help you through the season. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about standing up to winter pests.
What Pests Can You Expect To See More Of This Winter?
We’ve got good news and bad news for you. The good news is that the number of pests on the winter pest list is much fewer than those on the summer pest list! Summertime is the ultimate season for pests in Florida, and nothing can compare to it. The bad news is that homeowners most despise the pests you have to concern yourself with this time of year. Some of the top offenders are rodents (like mice, rats, and even raccoons), cockroaches, and spiders.
What’s Drawing Them Inside?
This time of year, pests are looking for the same thing you and I are—warmth and food. When the temperatures drop outside, it’s difficult for winter pests to find the things they need to survive, so they go where the resources are. Your house is full of food and heat, which are impossible for them to resist.
How To Prevent Them
Prevention is the key! In a minute, we’ll talk about how to get rid of an existing pest infestation in your home, but first, let’s talk about how you can avoid the situation altogether. Since we’ve established that these winter pests are making their way into your home searching for food and warmth, the first step in prevention is removing their access to those things. The first question you have to ask yourself is how they are getting in the house? It’s not likely that mice are following you in when you open the door. So there must be another access point at which they are gaining access to your home. Search the perimeter of your home, your attic, and your crawlspace for entry points where they may be getting inside. Since mice and other pests can sneak through small spaces, this step may be more difficult than you think. With so much experience, pest control professionals are often the most skilled at determining these access points. If you can’t figure out how the winter pests are making their way into your home, call a professional, we’re happy to help.
Once you’ve determined how the pets are getting into your home, you need to close that access point. And you also need to think about what might be drawing them inside. One of the significant factors is food, and one of the places that people often see these pests is in the kitchen. What can you do to eliminate the temptation for pests to have a midnight snack on your countertops? Avoid leaving food out on the counters, and ensure that food packages in your cabinets are securely closed. The less temptation available, the less likely you will see pests roaming through your home.
Eliminating Winter Pests
Once you do what you need to do to prevent pests from coming into your home, it’s time to talk about pest control. This is where the rubber meets the road. We want to empower our clients to protect their homes in the best and safest way possible. But we also know that some things are better left in the hands of professionals. Don’t waste time crawling around your attic trying to come up with the best way to capture rats or raccoons when you can hire experienced pros who will take care of every step for you safely and efficiently.
At Holder Pest Control, we are in the business of making our clients’’ lives better. This winter, as you enjoy a respite from the cool air outside, we want to help you have a better experience in your home. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you eliminate winter pests. And while you’re at it, let’s get ahead of the game and tackle all those summer pests to come!
