There are many pests that can get into your home in the fall when temperatures start to drop. The most common in our Greenville service area are mice, rats, ticks, fleas, stinging insects, cockroaches, and, a pest that is often forgotten, the boxelder bug. Why is the boxelder bug a forgotten pest? Because it is mostly just a nuisance. Those other overwintering pests can make you sick, in some cases, very sick. That is why it is important to keep all of these pests out. Here are a few things you should know about each.
Mice and Rats
These little critters can chew their way into your home and it doesn’t take much of a hole for them to get in. When they find a way in, they can damage wood, wallpaper, insulation, furniture, clothing, stored items and more. They can contaminate your foods and sensitive areas with microorganisms in their fur, feces and urine. Worst of all, they can bring ticks, fleas, mites, lice and other parasites in with them. That leads us to our next two fall pests.
Ticks and Fleas
Since fall is when rodents get in, this is the time of year when tick and flea infestations rise. While not every tick and flea carries disease, the number of diseases they can carry and the severity of these diseases make ticks and fleas dangerous pests to have in your home.
Stinging Insects
Fall is an important time for wasps and hornets. It is the end of the life cycle for many of them. It is usually only newly hatched female reproductives that make it through the winter and live to see another year. This is because queens are fattened up to go without food for the long winter, and they find a place to hide. If they hide in your home, it could present an issue for you next year. If you already have a nest in your home, and that nest is in a warm place, wasps and hornets could survive the winter as a colony. We don’t have to tell you how bad that can be.
Cockroaches
These nasty little insects can get into your home any time of year, but the fall cold can drive them in. Cockroaches prefer warm temperatures. To make matters worse, cockroaches are often attracted to homes in fall due to clogged gutters that create dampness around the foundation perimeter. That is why it is essential to keep your gutters clean this fall.
As you make preparations for these fall pests, remember that Spencer Pest Services is available to assist you with pest exclusion. Our team is one of the best in the business and we have the credentials to prove it. Let our family help your family this fall. Remember that not all of the pests that get into your home are a nuisance; some can be a serious threat. Reach out to us anytime!