Pest Management All Year Round
A Comprehensive Guide to Seasonal Invasion Prevention
The changing of the seasons brings many joys – fresh flowers in spring, and firepit weather in fall.
But each season can also introduce seasonal pests looking to share in your home’s warmth and food sources.
By understanding seasonal pest cycles and habitats, you can stop invasions before they start and enjoy pest-free living all year long.
Our team of licensed pest control technicians will overview common seasonal bugs and rodents in this guide.
Plus, some tips to keep them out of your house for good.
Spring Pest Prevention
April showers bring May flowers…and plenty of springtime pests. Here’s how to control common spring invaders like ants, termites, cockroaches, and more.
Outsmart Ants
Did you know there are over 700 ant species in North America alone? These tiny insects need warmth and moisture to thrive. That’s why you’ll see ants marching indoors in search of food and shelter as temperatures rise in spring.
Prevent ants by:
- Caulking cracks and sealing entry points outside like windows and doors
- Clearing away debris piles near foundations where colonies live
- Eliminating indoor food sources by storing all snacks in airtight containers
If you already see ants trailing inside, mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. This natural ant repellent disrupts scent trails so ants can’t follow them back to the colony.
Give Termites the Boot
While termite infestations munch away on wood all year, springtime swarms full of mating flies are a sure sign of infestations. These creepy crawlers love feasting on damp, decaying wood. Over time, expensive structural damage to your home can occur.
Fight back against termites by:
- Moving firewood and mulch piles far from your home’s foundation
- Installing termite bait stations around the exterior to stop them in their tracks
- Calling an exterminator immediately if you see wings or other evidence of termites inside
Detecting them early is key to preventing thousands in property damage down the road.
Send Cockroaches Packing
Cockroaches prefer tropical climates and are especially active in spring and summer. Female roaches can produce up to 50 offspring every 3 months – yuck! Stop them before an infestation grows out of control.
Block roaches by:
- Vacuuming thoroughly to remove food crumbs they can dine on
- Fixing leaky pipes and sinks to deny moisture access
- Using boric acid powder in wall voids and under appliances to kill roaches entering your home
Summer Pest Prevention
As the temperatures climb, so do summertime pests looking to partake in backyard barbecues. Guard your home from uninvited critters like stinging insects, spiders, and mice with these tips.
Avoid Stinging Insects
No one wants party crashers like wasps, yellow jackets, and bees when enjoying patio cookouts and pool days. Avoid getting stung by:
- Cleaning up sugary spills and fruits that attract hungry insects
- Covering trash cans tightly so food remains aren’t exposed
- Making sure screen doors seal tightly to block insects’ entry inside
- Killing nests early before large colonies form
If a stinger makes it inside, never swat it. Swiftly trap the insect in a jar and release it outside. Remove the stinger immediately if stung to minimise venom released.
Spider-Proof Your Home
Over 3,000 species of spiders lurk in Australia alone. While most aren’t dangerous to humans, no one wants unexpected guests like black widows dropping onto their beds.
Keep spiders out by:
- Securing screens on windows and doors to block entry points
- Installing yellow bug lights at entryways since spiders avoid certain wavelengths
- Moving clutter like piles of firewood far from your home’s exterior
Check under furniture edges and in undisturbed corners for messy cobwebs if you do spot arachnids inside. Suck them up with a vacuum for quick removal.
Stop Mice in Their Tracks
Mice invade an estimated 21 million American homes each year. The warm summer months have them seeking cool, calm shelter alongside easy access to food while they breed rapidly.
Prevent mice by:
- Eliminating outdoor food sources like unsecured compost bins
- Sealing any exterior holes or cracks wider than a pen tip
- Setting humane traps near baseboards and walls
Fall Pest Prevention
Cooler autumn months have pests like boxelder bugs, centipedes, and spiders scrambling to move their operations indoors. Fortunately, pest prevention is easy with these helpful tips.
Banish Boxelder Bugs
You may discover swarms of black and red “boxelder bugs” congregating on homes and trees in the fall. Named after female boxelder trees they feed on, these insects stick around through winter before laying eggs in the spring.
Keep them away by:
- Pruning back boxelder trees infested with bugs
- Sealing off exterior entry points to prevent indoor swarms
- Vacuuming up clusters around windows and doors
- Consulting an arborist about pesticide sprays for large infestations
Centipedes Won’t Have Legs to Stand On
House centipedes thrive in damp areas and migrate indoors as temperatures drop, using their 30 to 354 legs to scurry across floors.
Show them the door by:
- Fixing leaky household pipes to eliminate moisture sources
- Installing dehumidifiers to maintain humidity below 50%
- Applying pesticides in home voids like under large appliances
Spider Populations Grown Tenfold
Spider populations reach their peak in fall. The influx of food like insects and other arthropods allows them to grow in size and lay eggs for next year’s offspring.
Stop spiders by:
- Regularly checking window seals and weather stripping for gaps
- Spraying insecticides along exterior walls and windows
- Removing food scraps immediately and cleaning countertop crumbs
- Ensuring firewood stacks and leaf piles are moved far from your foundation
Winter Pest Prevention
‘Tis the season for rodents and wildlife invading your toasty home as cold weather arrives. Outsmart these winter pests with preventative measures.
Block Rats & Mice from Squeezing In
Rodents like rats and mice invade homes by the millions each winter seeking food and shelter from freezing temperatures.
Give them the cold shoulder by:
- Finding and sealing ANY exterior holes or cracks wider than 1⁄4 inch
- Installing weather stripping around doors and windows to block entry
- Using humane traps with peanut butter as bait to catch and release rodents far from your home
Keep Bats from Dangling Around
Bats commonly tuck themselves into attics and eaves to hibernate through winter. Even small gaps in exterior walls give them easy access. Prevent bats by:
- Covering exterior vents and openings with secure screens
- Installing draft guards beneath attic doors
- Sealing any cracks or holes with caulk, foam, or weather stripping
Guard Against Wildlife Intruders
Hungry wildlife like squirrels, raccoons, and opossums often encroach on homes in cold months seeking warmth and unattended food sources.
Protect your space from wild animals by:
- Applying chimney caps and vent covers to block access
- Using bungee cords to tightly seal trash can lids
- Sprinkling predator urine granules around your property to deter wildlife
Stay alert for entry holes or digging around your foundation. Use wire mesh screens buried halfway into the ground to fortify vulnerable areas.
FAQs About Seasonal Pest Control
What are some common pests I may encounter and signs of their infestation?
Common residential types of pests include ants, cockroaches, mice, rats, termites, bed bugs, stinging insects, and stored food pests. Signs include droppings, gnaw marks, rub marks, nests, odors, visible insects, and extensive structural damage.
I have stagnant water collecting near my home when it rains heavily. Could this cause any issues with pests?
Yes, stagnant water provides ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. It also allows access for pests through potential entry points into the structure. Consult a professional pest control service on drainage solutions.
Why does it seem like I have more issues with pests during hot or cold weather?
Pests seek food and shelter more aggressively during temperature extremes. Colder weather also means more activity inside homes. Contact a pest control professional to address conditions favorable for increased infestations.
Conclusion
Pest infestations are common issues that homeowners and property managers must deal with.
Implementing integrated pest management provides an environmentally responsible approach.
Work with professional pest control services to protect structures from damage.
Don’t tolerate pests, take action.
