Overwintering Pests

Homeowners need to learn more about overwintering pests because you’ll likely encounter them at some point. If you live in an area that experiences four seasons, the risks are high. These pests do not want to stay outside when it is cold. As a result, they’ll try to enter your home.

Common Overwintering Pest Insects

In our service area, there are a handful of overwintering pests. You’ll learn about them below.

Boxelder Bugs

During summer, boxelder bugs are garden pests. They stay outside and consume the seeds of maple trees and box elder trees. When it gets cold, they’re going to become a nuisance. They’ll take refuge in your home so they can stay away from the cold weather. They’re roughly half an inch with red markings on their backs. They can enter a home through the smallest gaps. Although they don’t bite, they can destroy property and release a foul odor.

Lady Beetles

Asian Lady Beetles aren’t dangerous, but some species can nip. They can find a way into your home when it gets cold outside. Crushing them is a bad idea since doing so will cause them to release a foul odor.

Cluster Flies

Cluster flies prefer living outside. During the beginning, these pests begin as parasites in earthworms. Once they emerge as larvae, they’ll spend the rest of their life outside. When cold temperatures come, these pests will try to enter homes. They may stay outside and hide behind loose tree bark. They can also take shelter behind wood planks. Some cluster flies may sneak into your home. When it warms up, cluster flies will leave your home in large numbers. They cluster together and flee the home. You’ll need to clean up the mess and find a way to keep them out next year.

Leaf-Footed Pine Seed Bugs

These overwintering pests grow up to three-quarters of an inch making them one of the biggest members. They can produce a new generation during the year. These pests are long and dull brown. During the summer months, they stay outside and out of your way. They can feed on pine cones. When winter approaches, they’re going to sneak into your home. Despite their size, they can sneak into a home through small gaps and cracks. Once the weather warms, the pests will try to escape your home.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs

Finally, you have to worry about stink bugs. These pests grow up to half an inch and they have a triangular plate on their back. These pests are native to Asia. They arrive in the United States in 1996 and they’ve spread across the country since then. These pests aren’t dangerous but they can create other issues. For instance, they can destroy an entire crop during spring and summer. During winter, they’ll create a mess in your home.

Furthermore, they’ll release a stinky odor when they’re stressed. Using a vacuum is a good way to collect and remove stink bugs. Keeping them away from your home won’t be easy though.

Overwintering Pest Signs

Are you worried about overwintering pests invading your home? They could be. Overwintering pests can enter homes through small cracks and gaps. Once they’ve done that, they’ll hide in bedrooms, ceilings, and walls. They don’t want to stay inside your home, but they will stay until it warms up. When it gets hot, they’ll try to leave the home. You likely won’t be able to identify a pest infestation until the pests try to leave your home. You’ll find them leaving your home in large numbers.

Preventing Overwintering Pest Infestations

Homeowners need to learn how to take steps to prevent future infestation. Thankfully, there are several ways to defend your home. For instance, you should try to seal all cracks and gaps. Sealing the exterior walls of your home will make a big difference. If they can’t find a way to enter the home, they won’t turn your life upside down.

Gaps, Entry Sites, And Small Openings

These pests can enter a home through small entry points. Blocking their entry points will ensure that these pests cannot invade your home. Take this step and you’ll likely be able to avoid overwintering pests in the future.

Protective Barrier Treatment

Call a local exterminator and asks about their protective barrier treatments. These services place a barrier around your home to keep pests out. Once the exterminator has used professional products to build a protective barrier around your home, pests won’t be able to enter.

Entry Points

Bricks & Mortar

You’ll need to check bricks and mortar joints. There will be a small gap here and pests can use it to invade your home. If you don’t close this gap, pests will invade your home. It is a good idea to use a sealant to prevent pests from entering your home here.

Windows

Check around your window frames because you might find gaps here. In general, gaps will be found at the bottom of the window frame. If it isn’t caulked, you’ll want to change that immediately.

Fascia

Since your clapboard has an uneven surface, it leaves openings for pests. You’ll need to seal these gaps to avoid overwintering pests problems. Again, using caulk is the best way to solve this problem.

Soffit & Attic Vents

All of your attic vents need to be protected with a screen. If they aren’t protected, pests are going to invade and create problems. Prevent this from happening. Replace damaged screens so pests cannot enter your home.

Plumbing Pipe And Wiring Openings

Home developers do not generally exhibit great skill when it comes to running utility pipes and electrical wiring from a public connection. These openings must be filled utilizing custom-to-fit plywood or metal sheeting. Measure the openings and cut the plywood or metal to fit. Utilize metal screws to fasten the material to the structure of your home.

Small openings can be filled utilizing stainless steel pot scrubbers, a waterproof sealant, or a metal screen. The idea is to close the openings off, so they can longer be accessed by overwintering pests.

How To Repair And Improve Your Home’s Pest Barrier?

Preventing a repeat overwintering pest infestation will not be easy. In fact, the process will be ongoing and time-consuming. We highly recommend the following materials to complete the process:

• Waterproof Sealant – Silicone or caulk (utilize flexible brands for brick walkways)
• Foam Insulation – Insulation in a can is great for medium-sized gaps and cracks in siding, soffit, and air conditioning vents
• Plywood – Custom plywood works great for large openings around sewage pipes and electrical wiring
• Metal Screen – Utilize metal screen to cover attic, crawlspace, and basement vents without compromising circulation
• Copper Pot Scrubbers – Utilize to fill in openings around kitchen plumbing where it enters the home from the exterior

Please feel free to contact our Detroit-based extermination company to learn more about professional overwintering pest control. Contact us when you need assistance.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.