Many people assume that the answer to is pest control necessary in winter is no. It’s a common misconception that in the winter, pests all die off or hibernate so we no longer need pest control. This is absolutely not the case. The truth is, the answer to the confusion over winter pest control – is yes, it is needed.
In the cold months not all pests hibernate. Many make their way into our homes looking for warmth and food. Winter can bring all sorts of pests into your home, including rodents, squirrels and pigeons. Is pest control necessary in winter? Yes, for these reasons.
A Winter Guide To 4 Major Pests
- Is pest control necessary in winter for mice and rats? – Rodents are probably the most common winter pests you have to defend your home against. Mice especially can squeeze themselves through tiny openings and cracks to gain entry into your home. They can also enter in holes in the roofing to nest in your attic. Whilst infesting your property, rodents will chew through wires and insulation. This could cause a fire risk.
- Is pest control necessary in winter for ants? – Ants can still do damage around the foundation of your home in the winter. If an ant decides to infest your home, they can nest inside walls and in the foundations, causing structural damage.
- Is pest control necessary in winter for flies? – Flies will find a place to hide in your home in autumn to escape the cold of winter. They then remain dormant until spring. When the warmer weather comes, all of a sudden you have a serious fly control problem. This is why it’s important to control fly problems all year round.
- Is pest control necessary in winter for spiders? – Removing webs, nests and spider eggs in the winter can prevent a serious spider issue when the weather starts to warm up again. Spiders are actually hardwired to return to the same place. So if you get rid of them all for good, you will increase the probability that they’ll move on to somewhere they won’t be disturbed.
Necessary Winter Pest Control – Prevention
- Winterising – Installing weather proofing around your home will not only stop pests but save you money on the heating bills Be sure to check your home for any repairs that need doing. This can include leaks, cleaning the chimney and cleaning out the gutters too. Doing these odd bits of winterising around the home will make sure that hopefully no pest will cross your threshold to spend the winter as an unwelcome visitor.
- Decluttering – Pests will be more than happy to build a nest in your possessions and may even use some of them to build those nests. Areas like closets where you store things should always be kept free of clutter. Any paper like materials should never be stored on the floor. A lot of pests such as cockroaches love paper and the presence of it can encourage pests to infest your home in the winter.
- Storing – Food and rubbish are both huge attractors for winter pests. If a pest wants to hole up somewhere for the winter, they want a great food source nearby. Leftover food should always be put in airtight containers. Keep your outside bins far away from your home. Rubbish in your home should be put in a bin with a sealed lid and emptied on a regular basis. Pests will easily get inside a bin bag if you leave it in the open, so make sure that any mess is cleaned up in a timely manner.
What You Can Do Outdoors
- Gardening – Don’t neglect your garden just because it’s the winter. Organising your shed and garage is important to stop winter pests from nesting there. Pests love the clutter in your garden because it provides the perfect hiding space for them to stay warm. They can also use the debris around the garden to build nests. This is definitely not something you want to uncover when the spring comes.
- Sealing – Gaps and holes around your home are the perfect way for winter pests to get inside. That’s why it’s some important to keep your home well maintained and seal up gaps and holes. Thoroughly inspect the perimeter of your property to make sure there are no entry points. If you do find them, seal it with the appropriate material that is hardy against pests.
- Drying – Clogged drains and leaky pipes all have one thing in common: standing and pooling water. As well as warmth and a food source, pests will want water nearby to quench their winter thirst. Even a dripping tap can be considered a great source of water to a pest. Having excess water around your home leaves you prone to pest problems. Not only can leaks damage your property, pests will be more attracted to it. It’s best to address moisture issues as soon as you notice them to prevent winter pest problems.
Our Experts Are Here To Help
Our experts have extensive training and we are members of the BPCA, as well as belonging to associations such as NPTA, SAFECONTRACTOR and SAFE4SITE. Many small pest control technicians don’t have the man power or the level of insurance that we do. We offer you all the benefits of a large, experienced company with many positive reviews. The confidence our customers have in our company speaks for itself.
If you live in London or the Home Counties and you’re having a problem with any kind of pests, feel free to call us any time, day or night, 24 hours a day. Our customer service team are ready to give you help and advice whenever you need it on 0203 633 2143.
