Proper Pest Control for the Fall and Winter Seasons

While the summer months seem to be the peak of bug season, it’s crucial to maintain proper pest control year-round so that for the fall and winter seasons your home remains protected. As the cooler months approach us here in South Florida, some pests may make their way into your home in an attempt to escape the lower temperatures. 

Here are the home invaders to look out for and techniques that you can use to protect your home this fall and winter season, along with the best solution for pest control in the winter.

Common Home Pests in the Cooler Seasons

In the coldest days and nights of the fall and winter seasons in South Florida, temperatures can dip as low as 50°, driving bugs, pests, and rodents into homes in search of warmth. We can’t blame them, but we also don’t have to live with them. Several types of pests and species, in particular, are especially prevalent this time of year.

1. Cockroaches

That’s right. The dreaded cockroach can be more common in South Florida homes during the fall and winter months. Cockroaches are cold-blooded bugs, and they are unable to regulate their body temperatures. Unfortunately, they might seek out a warm refuge, and that warm place can often be your home. If you notice cockroaches inside, it’s time to get fall pest control.

2. Rodents

Rats and mice can strike terror in even the most fearless people, and they’re more likely to inhabit your home when the weather gets cooler. Rodents also seek food sources in the fall and winter as their options outside become more scarce, and look to invade attics and make nests in walls and ceilings to keep warm. Rodents can be a health hazard, so if you see rodent droppings or hear them scurrying around in the walls or ceilings, you’ll need the proper pest control.

3. Spiders

Many spiders hunt and feed off of insects. So, if there are many insects that cannot regulate their body temperatures and seek out warm refuge during the fall and winter seasons, spiders may also invade your homes to hunt. This is bad news for homeowners. No one wants to pull back the shower curtain to see a spider lounging in the tub. 

Luckily, most spiders are not known for being aggressive, but if you accidentally press up against the spider, the spider may defend itself and bite. Spider bites can be painful, and some can be a health hazard if the spider is highly venomous, or the bite becomes infected. Thankfully, proper pest control can help tackle the problem before it even begins.

4. Silverfish

They’re not fish, they’re little silver bugs, and they love dark, damp, and warm places. The cooler weather might drive silverfish inside, and they’re incredibly unsightly and can chew and damage fabrics, paper, and cardboard. 

What makes them harder to spot than your regular pest is that they like to crawl where it is dark at night, and they like to hide in cracks and crevices, so you may not even see them at all. But you’ll know they’ve been there if you find their small black pepper-like droppings or start to notice holes in shirts or household items.

Pest Prevention Tips

There are many preventative measures that you can take to lessen your chances of a pest invasion. During the fall and winter seasons, protect your home by making it an unpleasant place for rodents and bugs to stay. We have a few expert tips that are easy for you to implement:

• Keep all food, including pet food, sealed. Airtight or metal containers are the best, as pests won’t be able to eat their way into them. 
• Insects love to congregate around trash, so make sure your kitchen and bathrooms are clean of food and debris, and take out your trash often to lessen the attractiveness of your homes to these pesky bugs. 
• Any blankets, sweaters, or pillows you have stored in the closet or attic should be kept in plastic and vacuum-sealed containers if possible. This leaves pests with nowhere to create a warm and inviting nest.
• Properly seal all windows, doors, and crevices to prevent ants and other small pests from crawling indoors. 
• Check that window and door screens are in good condition, making it more difficult for flying insects to enter. 
• Rodents are known for using tree branches to get onto a roof, where they can then use roof intersections and vent stacks as entry points into your attic or house. Keep trees and bushes trimmed away from your structure and ensure that the roof and soffit are in good condition. 

Professional Pest Control in South Florida With Hulett Environmental Services

The harder you make it for insects or rodents to enter, the less of a chance there is that they’ll make your house their home. However, when an invasion does occur or you’re feeling concerned about winter pest problems, leave it to the professionals to restore your peace of mind. We offer green pest control solutions and pest prevention services that are suitable for your pets, family, and the environment.

It’s a good idea to seek professional pest control for your South Florida home as the fall and winter months are upon us. Here at Hulett Environmental Services, our experts can help prepare your home to safeguard against bugs and rodents. 

Should you notice bugs, rodents, or droppings and trails in your home, ask our experts online, free of charge, by emailing photos of the evidence you’ve found. We’ll review your information and call you back with our professional opinion. If needed, we will set up a free on-site inspection to determine your family’s fall pest control or winter pest control needs.