It’s cold outside this time of year, and while many pests are hunkered down for the winter, there are still plenty of common house pests ready to invade your home in search of warmth, water, food, and shelter.

Many common house pests are active during the winter months in the Southeast, including bed bugs, cockroaches, and rodents. Here’s what you need to look out for around your home this time of year.

Already dealing with winter pests? Control the situation with the help of your local Terminix pest control experts.

Winter Pests 101

For wintertime pests, the drive to head indoors for the winter is part of a process known as overwintering. Overwintering is when an organism seeks warmer conditions to survive and wait out the winter months (as opposed to other strategies, like hibernation and migration).

All that is to say: these common house pests invade homes as a survival tactic. And that can be a huge headache for homeowners. 

Common House Pests During Winter

We share the latest on the six most common pests that are active and causing problems in homes this time of year, as well as what you can do to help take back your home, both on your own and with the help of Terminix pest control.

1. Bed Bugs

Bed bugs, those resilient blood-sucking menaces, are a common wintertime pest for a few reasons. For one, holiday travel plays a big part in their prevalence this time of year. On top of that, bed bugs are typically able to survive the cold through a type of hibernation called diapause, waking back up once the temperatures rise.  

When it comes to dealing with bed bugs, the best approach is a proactive one. Once they’ve settled into a home,  bed bug removal usually requires the services of a professional pest control expert, like the local technicians at Terminix. (To avoid the need for bed bug control, check out our top bed bug prevention tips)

2. Rodents

When the weather turns cold, rodents don’t hesitate to head for the nearest structure. Norway rats, roof rats, and house mice are all common pests throughout the Southeast, and can each pose a serious risk to the health of your home and your family.

Beyond just raiding your pantry, rodents have been known to spread more than two dozen harmful diseases and pathogens, gnaw their way through wiring, and wreak all sorts of other havoc throughout the home.

Looking for rodent control? Contact your local Terminix branch and get in touch with one of our local expert technicians. 

3. Cockroaches

Like rodents, cockroaches seek warmth, food, water, and shelter indoors when the temperature drops. Also like rodents, they can pose a serious health risk to homeowners and families, spreading diseases like Salmonella and Cholera.

Cockroaches usually find their way into homes through cracks under doors and between window panes, though some have even been known to squeeze through sewer lines. Make sure to check the seals at windows and employ door sweeps if cold weather is on the forecast and you’re worried about roaches.

But, should the time come that  you need a cockroach exterminator, you can trust Terminix to remove the pests and reclaim your home. 

4. Pantry Pests

Pantry pests is a general term for any of a number of insects that infest and feed on dried foodstuffs (commonly in pantries). By and large, pantry pests are different types of beetles, moths, and weevils. 

Once established with a reliable food source, pantry pests can multiply rapidly. It’s important to act quickly if you discover an infestation. That’s where the professionals at Terminix pest control come in. Discover our proven strategies for avoiding and addressing pantry pests.

5. Spiders

Spiders are sometimes thought to be a perfect example of pests that head indoors during the winter months, but for the most part, indoor spiders tend to stay indoors and outdoor spiders tend to stay outdoors. Like bed bugs, outdoor spiders go through diapause during the cold, shutting themselves down until the warm weather returns.

By and large, spiders aren’t anything to worry about; they help control pest populations and are a vital part of the ecosystem. On the other hand, if you feel it’s time to call in a spider exterminator, you can trust the local expert technicians at Terminix to help.

6. Fleas

Traditionally, fleas are known to have trouble surviving during the cold of winter. But down here in the Southeast, the relatively mild winters of the Southeast allow them to survive the season.

Fleas enter homes through the yard. They prefer tall grasses, but will make their way indoors in search of food (that is, blood). For this reason, an important step in flea pest control is regular lawn maintenance. To help prevent flea infestations, keep up with lawn care and mowing even during the cooler months, and keep your yard free of debris, yard waste, and other clutter.

In need of flea exterminators? Trust Terminix to help get rid of fleas and any other winter pest you may encounter.

A Proactive Approach to Winter Pest Control

With all these pests out there, you might not know where to start in order to protect your home. Fortunately, when it comes to winter pest control, there’s plenty that homeowners can do on their own to help prevent pests from getting in.

First and foremost, prevention is key when it comes to dealing with winter pests. Control your surroundings as much as possible: 

  • Keep your yard and lawn tidy and mown
  • Keep foodstuffs secure, tightly sealed, and properly stored
  • Fill any gaps around windows and doors (and use a doorsweep!) 

Additionally, be on the lookout for signs of pests in your pantry and kitchen, and be prepared to act quickly at the first sign of trouble.

Being proactive and alert when the forecast calls for cold weather is the most effective tool for winter pest control we know.

Trust Terminix for Pest Control This Winter

Still, even the best efforts and most careful planning can only do so much in the face of determined winter pests just trying to survive. 
If you ever find your home infested with any of those common house pests of winter, trust Terminix to help set things right.

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