We’ve all experienced the houseguest who never seems to leave. Come winter, inconvenient guests come in all shapes, sizes, and species. Insects and animals alike try to avoid the cold by seeking a nice warm place to settle down, also called “overwintering.” Your home is an exceptional place for these occasional invaders to bunk.
Overwintering 101
Hibernation is the most well-known form of overwintering, but not all pests pass their time snoozing. While some insects take the avian route and migrate to warmer places, other insects stay put when winter sets in.
Insects can overwinter at any stage of development, from larvae to adults, and their hibernation habits differ by species. Some feed and grow actively, some breed, and others lay low, awaiting warmer times. Certain insects even produce glycerol, an antifreeze-like substance, to keep them from succumbing to the elements.
The gift that can give all year (when unchecked)
While you might not consider your attic, walls, or basement to be a comfortable place to rest, pests see them as five-star digs. And when breeding bugs infest, it can lead to more complicated problems down the line.
When it comes to preventing overwinter guests, common sense can go a long way:
- Keep firewood piles away from the perimeter of your home.
- Be on the lookout for any cracks, holes, or entrance points.
- Seal windows and close up the space beneath doors.
- Properly close garbage barrels so that trash stays in.
- Don’t leave any food out...at all...ever.
- Sweep up the garage. It’s the perfect place for pests to set up camp.
Western Pest’s Home Protection Plan provides year-round protection from a range of invaders, large and small. Give us a call for a free estimate at 1-800-544-BUGS (2847).