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Some pests want to enter your home before winter arrives. These pests are called overwintering pests. They only want to stay in your home over winter. Once it gets hot outside, they’re going to leave. Nevertheless, they’ll become a major nuisance during the cold, winter months.
More About Overwintering Pests
In our area, clients often encounter a handful of overwintering pests. Some of the most common will be explored in greater depth below.
Asian Lady Beetles
Asian lady beetles or ladybugs are overwintering pests. Although they’re cute, they can also become a nuisance. They’re small enough to slip through the smallest holes. Once they’re inside, you’ll need to get rid of them carefully. Never crush them before they will release a nasty odor when they’re crushed.
Box Elder Bugs
Locals are going to encounter boxelder bugs because they’re common in our city. Despite not being dangerous, they’re still problematic and annoying. They’re only half an inch in size so they can easily enter the smallest holes and cracks. If you’ve found them in your home, rest assured knowing they’re not going to make anyone sick. Still, you should dispose of them as quickly as possible. Phone a local exterminator who can eradicate these overwintering pests.
Cluster Flies
In general, cluster flies prefer spending their days outside. Once they transform into larvae, they’re going to leave their earthworm host. Then, they’ll spend the rest of their days outside until it gets cold. They’re overwintering pests so they don’t want to stay outside during cold weather. They can also hide behind tree bark, but your home is the best hiding place. Once cluster flies have entered your home, they’re going to cluster. They’ll hide in a large group. Once the temperatures have increased, they’ll lave in a large group. As a result, they’re going to frighten you. Just remember that they won’t hurt you.
Leaf-Footed Pine Seed Bugs
Besides the aforementioned overwintering pests, you’re also going to encounter leaf-footed pine seed bugs. These pests are three-quarters of an inch, and they produce a new generation annually. They’re large and dull brown. When staying outside, they’re going to eat pinecones. Once it gets cold, they’ll scramble to find a way to stay warm during the cold, winter months. In some cases, they will shelter behind tree bark. Otherwise, they’re going to sneak into your home and stay warm. When your home’s temperature increases, you’re going to find them in large numbers.
Don’t let them frighten you because they can’t hurt you. Clean up their mess and fortify your home so they can’t sneak inside next year.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs
The last overwintering pest in our area is the brown marmorated stink bug. The stink bug arrived in the United States sometime in the mid-1990s from Asia. Since then, the pest has quickly spread across the United States. Stink bugs are only half an inch allowing them to slip through the smallest gaps on your outer walls. They’re not dangerous since they don’t bite or transmit illnesses. Still, they’re large enough to become a nuisance.
It is a good idea to suck them up with your vacuum cleaner. Don’t crush or frighten them. Doing so will cause them to emit a nasty odor and turn your home into a mess. When it is warm outside, these overwintering pests are going to stay outside and consume crops.
Identifying An Overwintering Pest Infestation
Once overwintering pests have snuck into your home, they’re going to find a place to hide. Then, they’re going to stay put. The overwintering pests will remain in your home until they’re ready to leave. Suffice to say, this means you’re going to spend a few months living with them. You don’t want to do this. Instead, you should eliminate these pests right away. Before you can do that, you have to identify the infestation. It won’t be easy since these pests hide so well. If you’re concerned that they’re in your home, you should find out. Start by increasing the temperature on your HVAC system.
When you do this, your home’s temperature is going to increase. Ultimately, this will convince the overwintering pests to come out of hiding and leave your home. If you find overwintering pests in your home, pick up the phone and call us. We’ll help you get rid of them.
Keeping Overwintering Pests Out Of Your Home
It can be difficult to deal with overwintering pests. If you’re worried about them invading your home, you should take steps to keep them out. Achieving this goal will make a big difference. You can sleep soundly knowing that these bugs aren’t going to sneak inside easily. The best thing you can do is properly seal your exterior walls. Fortify your home before the cold, winter months arrive. Once you’ve done this, the pests will have a harder time sneaking into your home.
Be sure to properly seal the gaps mentioned below.
Looking For Small Entry Points
First and foremost, you should carefully check your home for small entry points. You’re likely going to find many of them. They could be around doors, windows, pipes, cables, and elsewhere. You’ll need to fill in these gaps promptly to keep the pests out.
Professional Exterior Barrier Treatments
Don’t forget to talk to a professional exterminator. Doing so can help you access high-quality services at low prices. It is a good idea to talk to a professional about their protective exterior barrier treatments. The service can make a big difference because it’ll keep overwintering pests and other pests away from your home. While you can try DIY alternatives, you should rely on a professional’s industrial-strength products. These products are more reliable and longer-lasting than DIY products.
We offer this service so call our office today.
Where Overwintering Pests Enter Your Home
Bricks
If you’re looking for places where overwintering pests enter your home, be sure to check around bricks. If your home has bricks, you’re likely going to find small gaps around them. In general, the gaps will be located where the bricks meet the molding or siding. They’ll be located above the mortar. It is pertinent to block these entry points because overwintering pests are going to use them to invade your home. You may also find a small hole beneath the steel plate above your door. It is pertinent to fill these gaps quickly. Although you can try other materials, use a sealant.
Windows
You’ll also want to check around your home’s windows. There is a good chance that the bottom of your window frame hasn’t been promptly sealed. If this is the case, these pests are going to use the gap to sneak into your home. Seal it to prevent overwintering pests, spiders, and other pests from climbing inside. Use caulk because it’ll work best.
Clapboard & Fascia
Gaps can be found around the clapboard and fascia because it is uneven. Since the gap is long, it is best to fill it using a durable foam insulating cord.
Vents
Your home has numerous vents. They’re helpful because they reduce the humidity in your attic, crawlspace, and other rooms. Nevertheless, they’re often responsible for letting overwintering pests enter your home. The vents should be covered by a heavy-duty screen. Plus, the screen needs to be in excellent condition.
Openings Around Utilities
You must check for openings around your utility lines. Cables and pipes are going to enter your home from outside. It is vital to check for and eliminate any gaps around your pipes and cables. Some overwintering pests are incredibly small. Therefore, they’ll have no trouble slipping through. You can fill the gap by using caulk or sealant. However, it is often best to use an old pot scrubber. You can easily manipulate it and push it into the hole in question.
Despite taking these steps, overwintering pests may sneak into your dwelling. When this happens, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re ready and willing to help you resolve the problem. Call soon.
Picking The Right Materials
Once you’ve discovered possible overwintering pest entry points around your home, you need to block them. Otherwise, these pests are going to enter your home and stay there until winter is over. Prevent this from happening by properly fortifying your home. Make sure that these gaps are filled with the right material by depending on the information provided below.
Surface Matters
Remember that the surface matters. Some surfaces are going to expand due to temperature changes. If the surface will expand, you need to use sealant. Otherwise, caulks are going to work well.
Many Other Materials
You can also use other materials to defend your home. Try using the materials mentioned below to keep these pests out.
- If you need to block a long gap, try using some foam insulation. Spray foam is okay in some cases, but it can be a mess. Plus, it is difficult to remove later.
- Install aluminum screening to keep pests out.
- Try using hardware cloth.
- Pot scrubbers can fill certain holes.
Call us for more advice.
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