Pests In The Winter

When it comes to winter time, thinking about insects and rodents is not the first problem that will come to mind. The cold weather, the ice, the snow, travelling to and from work is more likely to be the main problem that we focus on. People don’t realise how important it is to take note of pests in their home especially now that it is close to winter and what to do when it comes to getting rid of them. The most common pests invading our homes in the winter are flies and cockroaches, mice, rats and surprisingly wasps and hornets.

Most common pests to invade of homes this winter.

• Flies and cockroaches

Flies and cockroaches would normally find somewhere sheltered to wait out the winter however, our homes are so much warmer than anything natural that they can find so therefore our homes are on the top of their list for somewhere to shelter.

• Mice

Mice follow the insects and spiders into our homes and can multiply fast. Having mice in your home can be extremely bad as they can destroy your home, make nests, chew holes in any woodwork and eat through wiring. There are many traps available for catching mice which can prove to be very effective if used correctly.

• Rats

There are two types of rat found in the UK, these are the Black Rat and the Brown Rat. These can multiply in numbers just like mice. Weils disease is typically found in rats and can be quite dangerous to us humans. Other diseases commonly found within rats are Salmonella, Tuberculosis, Cryptosporidiosis and E. coli. If you do have a rat problem this winter, then it is highly recommended that you contact a professional rat controller.

• Wasps and hornets

Having wasps and hornets as one of the most common pests to invade our homes in the winter is surprising. The reason why is because they enter a home and use attics to hibernate as it is too cold outside. However, when we come out of the winter season and it starts to become warmer, they will begin to build a new nest to start a new generation and when this happens it becomes a very serious problem for your home. To prevent this from happening then ensure that no roof vents have been damaged and that there are no gaps or holes that could allow access.

Ways of preventing pests in your home, during the winter.

To prevent pests from entering your home you need to seal any cracks in your walls, windows and doors. You need to vacuum everywhere including boxes, ceilings, plants and hard to reach corners. Killing insects with insecticides regularly, means that there is less food for spiders to feed on which then brings down the number of spiders which have entered the house.

During the winter months, constantly check wiring, insulation and walls for signs of gnaw marks from mice and rats. These rodents can cut out your electricity supply and can even be the cause of a fire. These are drastic consequences of what can possibly happen, however it is best to know and to keep on top of to ensure that it doesn’t happen to you.

Insects and rodents require food to survive, they will live off crumbs found spilled on the floor, rubbish bags that aren’t properly secure and left over food that hasn’t been disposed of correctly.  Another way of helping to prevent pests coming in to our homes would be to ensure that all crumbs and anything that is edible that has been spilt is cleaned up properly (vacuuming) and to also ensure that all rubbish bags have been tied up properly and disposed of correctly.

Hopefully this has helped you gain some knowledge of how to prevent different pests from entering your home and has given you an insight into which pests to look out for and what to do. However, if more information is needed or you need professional help in regards to pest control then please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Contego.