4 Things You Can Do This Fall to Prevent Them

Just because it starts cooling off doesn’t mean you’re finished dealing with pests in your home and yard. Some of these pests (commonly known as overwintering pests) plan to wait out the winter by seeking shelter (preferably in your home!) to stay out of the winter freeze. Yes, fall is the season for overwintering pests. 

As always, when it comes to controlling pests, your first line of defense involves eliminating the conditions that attract them to begin with. There are tactics you can employ to keep them at bay and out of your home.  

What Are Overwintering Pests?

Overwintering pests start looking for shelter for the winter, starting in the late summer and through the autumn months. Do you love your cozy home? Overwintering pests do, too. 

Some of these invasive, uninvited pest guests can sneak in undetected, while others hang out on the side of your home, waiting for an opportunity to slip inside. Overwintering pests typically stay out of sight indoors during the cold weather months, but you will see them come out on warmer, sunny winter days. The most common overwintering pests include: 

• Lady bugs
• Cluster flies
• Rodents
• Stink bugs
• Boxelder bugs

How Do You Keep Bugs Out of Your House in the Winter?

The most common entry points overwintering pests use to get into your home include, so start here, looking for cracks, holes, crevices, etc.: 

• Brick and mortar joints
• Fascia boards over wood clapboards
• Underneath window and door frames
• Vents in exterior of the structure

How Do You Prevent Overwintering Pests in Your Home?

You can start by hosing pests off of the side of your home. As the weather cools off, some bugs, like Boxelder bugs, love to congregate on the side of your home where the sun is shining so they can bask in the warmth.

To help prevent their entry, and in addition to making your home as unwelcoming for these pests as possible, try the following:

1. Reduce moisture – Moisture is a primary feature that overwintering pests (and all pests, in general) seek out fervently. They need water/moisture to survive. Keeping things dry, in and around your home can help to prevent infestations. Repair leaky pipes and faucets indoors and outdoors. If needed, for damp areas of your home like the basement, you can use a dehumidifier or fan. Ensure your rain gutters are cleaned out and working properly. Make sure the water drains AWAY from the side of your home. Address areas in your yard where water collects, and keep bird baths, swimming pool covers, and hot tubs drained or refreshed so the water doesn’t become stagnant. Don’t leave pet water bowls outside. 
2. Yardwork – Many areas of your yard can be hiding spots for bugs. Keep your lawn trimmed and your yard free of debris including branches, leaf litter, grass clippings, empty logs, rocks, and branches. Store firewood and mulch at least 20 feet away from the side of your home. Trim back shrubbery and tree branches at least an inch away from the side of your home and from the roof to help prevent pest entry.  
3. Seal all possible entry points – The best way to avoid overwintering pests getting into your home is to make sure they can’t find a way in. Inspect the outside of your house for cracks and gaps and seal them with caulk. Check around doors, windows, and the foundation of your home. Repair or replace damaged window and door screens and weatherproofing. Install door sweeps. Screening over any vents that could allow pests entry is also helpful.
4. Watch your exterior lighting – Many pest invaders are attracted to light, like Cluster flies and Stink bugs. As much as possible, keep your blinds, shades, or curtains closed to prevent bugs from spotting the bright lights indoors. Change out white light bulbs for yellow bulbs, to reduce the attractant factor. You may want to install motion detector lights around your home so the lights only come on when someone is nearby.

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When Should You Call a Pest Control Company?

There are always plenty of steps you can take to help reduce the likelihood (and the conditions) for pests to set up shop in your home. Sometimes, pests outsmart you and their sheer numbers can overwhelm your preventive efforts. That’s when it’s time to call in the BIG GUNS! Call FullScope Pest, 832.898.0190 if you want your home protected this season from overwintering pests. . Schedule a free inspection with us today and let’s get started on a program to keep your home pest-free through the holiday season. The last thing you want with relatives and visitors in your home is to have to deal with pest problems! We’ll even give you tips to reduce “buggy” conditions and prevent pest infestations at home and in your yard.

We can even put down a protective anti-pest barrier around your clean, well-trimmed yard, that will repel pests away and send them off elsewhere.

We serve all the North Houston area, which includes: Atascocita, Kingwood, New Caney, Porter, Conroe, Cleveland, Splendora, Riverwalk, Eagle Springs, Roman Forest, Valley Ranch, and Humble, TX.

FullScope Pest Control: Honesty, Expertise, Integrity, and Demonstrable Results … everything you want in a professional pest control service!