As the temperatures are steadily declining and the season changes to winter here in Ann Arbor, many people believe that pests just die off. No more bed bugs, roaches, mosquitos- they can’t take the cold, right? Unfortunately, that is not the case.
What happens to pests in winter?
Heating your home during the colder months is vital for your family, but also provides the perfect warm place for pests to stay for the winter. Bed bugs specifically can withstand nearly freezing temperatures, but warm heated homes also provide them the perfect place to live when the temperature drops below zero. If you are experiencing signs of bed bugs, such as; waking up with red itchy spots typically in a line across your skin, unexplained musty odor, rusty colored spots on your mattress, or dark spots on your wall, it is best to seek professional help and contact a pest control service for bed bug removal to be safe.
Termites are hard workers and winter won’t stop them. They areinfluenced by the temperature and depending on what species of termite you are dealing with winter may be their time to thrive. Drywood termites specifically will seek out the dry wood for shelter. If your house is heated during the winter termites can be active year-round. Keep pest control services in mind for termite removal as the temperatures lower here in Ann Arbor.
Bed bugs and termites are not the only pests that can survive winter by invading and nesting in your house. Mosquitos hibernate during winter in hollow logs. This means when the weather conditions improve, they awaken and seek out blood to feed on. Female mosquitos will begin to develop eggs and then the mosquito problem will begin. It is important to keep in mind that mosquito pest control services are available and professional services can solve the problem at the root.
Though they may still cause problems, the pests discussed above are less common in the winter. People often don’t think about seeking professional help for removing rodents, but it is vital to know it is an option.Mice seek out shelter, warmth and food during the winter season as their typical food source of grass and seeds become unavailable. Attics and storage rooms become their new home which not only causes damage to your belongings, a rodent infestation poses serious health risks to you and your family.
Tips from the National Pest Management Association
Use the following tips this winter season to control pests during this Ann Arbor winter.
• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of your home to help prevent rodents from getting inside. Be sure to check the areas where utilities and pipes enter the home. A mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime.
• Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet from the home. Mice and ants can make their nests in wood piles and easily gain access to your home if the pile is nearby.
• Rodents can hide in clutter, so keep storage areas well organized, and store boxes off of the floor.
• Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains. Extra attention should be paid to kitchens and bathrooms as these areas are particularly vulnerable to cockroach infestations.
• Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens in windows.
• Screen vents to chimneys. Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
Frame’s Pest Control is a full-service extermination company based in Sylvania, Ohio, serving customers throughout northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Founded in 1972 by Shorty and Mary Ellen Frame, the company is now under its third generation of family leadership.