With fall here and the cool weather is coming! That may mean no more worries about outside bugs, but make sure they are not getting warm and cozy in your home.
Insects tend to migrate to temporary shelters, where they can sustain life. Often times, this can be in spaces in your home. Terminex informs us that bugs such as cockroaches, ants, spiders, and mosquitoes cannot withstand extremely cold temperatures given that their bodies are unable to produce heat. This could be the answer to why your pest control calls are more frequent during the fall/winter season. To avoid a new roomie, there are effective approaches to prevent or illuminate this issue.
- Bug proof your home before they invade. Go around your home and seal any cracks in the walls, doors, and windows. Get rid of old boxes, clothes, or food that might attract a cozy home for pests. It might be a good idea to spray outside your home and trim nearby trees or bushes.
- Research the bugs you notice, so you can have a good idea of why they are coming and how to wipe them out quickly. Not all bugs come for the same reason. According to U.S. News, most bugs intrude for shelter, food, or simply by accident. Once indoors, some may stay for a different reason. U.S. News gives the examples of the brown recluse spider; these critters prefer the dark and stay in closed spaces such as boxes or under papers. The solution to limit the time spent with these spiders would be to practice picking up things off the floor and putting them away.
- You should clean frequently. Bugs love mess for their ideal home. Try to sweep, wipe down surfaces regularly, and keep trash thrown out or sealed in bins. Avoid boxes in your home and clothes on the floor or pest may consider the darkness and warmth as shelter.
- Keep food put up and stored in sealed areas. Pest USA describes food “as an open invitation” for bugs in your home, so avoid providing a buffet-style feast. As stated in the ThoughCo. Article,” Scientists believe that insects use chemical smell and taste cues…” These cues are sensed by their antennas as a way to reach food or other insects. By eliminating food odors, you are able to limit a source to a possible infestation.
- Keep areas in your home dry. Water is one of the three essential elements bugs need to survive. Pestworld.org suggests that a kitchen or even a bathroom is the “ideal nesting sites for rodents.” As the air outside becomes cooler and dryer, bugs are attracted to pleasant moisture areas such as faucets, showers, kitchen cabinets or near cooking appliances.
- Inform your landlord or local pest control of the unbearable problem in your home. Even after all the research and adjustments, some bugs just require a little more push from a professional exterminator. According to peststrategies.com, like mice, bugs such as cockroaches are known to carry unknown diseases. Even if you notice just one, it is best to take the necessary precautions to protect you and your family’s health.
You are the bigger person in this situation, literally. So, don’t let a few bugs ruin your winter plans. Everything and one has their own place in the world and your home for bugs should not be one of them. It is common for bugs to appear in your home, but whether they decide to stay and reproduce is up to you. The key is identifying and removing the source of the problem in the most efficient and quickest way possible.
