Don’t Let Pests Move in This Fall

Did you know those pests that have been bugging you all summer won’t die with the cold weather? This fact always surprises people, especially homeowners who find out the hard way with a rodent infestation or when they discover hundreds of house flies hibernating in their homes over the fall and winter months. And it’s not just rodents and house files, Asian lady beetles, boxelder bugs and more seek warm shelter in the fall, and usually in your house.

In order to prevent these pests from invading your home, it is important to understand their hibernating patterns. For example, do you know where ants go in the winter? What about stinging insects?

Below is a list of the most common pests and their hibernating patterns to prepare you for the upcoming cold months. Also, now is the time to start fall pest-proofing. Be sure to check out my important fall pest-proofing tips so you can keep your home pest-free all winter long.

Ants

• As the weather cools, adult ants over-winter. The entire colony goes into hibernation and doesn’t eat or reproduce. However, if the nest is located near a heat source, such as in a house or under a heated structure, the colony may remain active during the winter.

Asian lady beetles and boxelder bugs

• These pests are known as “over-wintering” pests. They survive the freezing temperatures by entering structures and hibernating indoors. Both males and females hibernate after mating so they are ready to reproduce in spring. Spring is also when they can be seen exiting structures.

Flies

• The common housefly will overwinter inside structures. Both males and females will hibernate and will not feed or reproduce. However, when the weather warms, they will be ready to buzz around.

Mosquitoes

• There is some good news, adult mosquitoes die in winter. Females will lay their last eggs in fall close to bodies of water. This ensures that the eggs enter the water source when the first spring rains wash them into the streams or they are picked up by the swelling banks in the spring thaw.

Rodents

• Unfortunately, rodents reproduce year-round. During winter, mice move inside heated structures and can survive with adequate food, shelter and water available. Since mice are very susceptible to the elements, they are usually found in warm areas, such as near water heaters and other appliances.
• Norway rats tend to stay outside in their burrows, and while they do slow down, they do not hibernate. They may even reproduce if there is adequate food, shelter and water available.

Stinging Insects

• During the fall, stinging insects mate. After mating, the males die and the females go into hibernation inside a heated structure so they are ready to reproduce in the spring. Stinging insects are very active in fall before the freezing temperatures hit, so be extra diligent to avoid their aggression.

Ticks

• Ticks survive winter by living on an animal host, in leaf litter on the forest floor or in animal burrows. During hibernation, this pest won’t feed, however at the first sign of warmth, they are ready to strike.

Important Fall Pest Proofing Tips

• Seal gaps around windows, door frames and utility pipes with silicone caulk to close entry points
• Repair holes in window and door screens
• Install or repair door sweeps on all exterior entrances
• Trim shrubbery and branches away from the home’s exterior
• Boxelder trees are not recommended for ornamental planting as they attract boxelder bugs

By knowing pests’ hibernating patterns and essential fall pest-proofing tips, you’ll keep your home pest-free throughout the fall and winter!

About Shane McCoy:

Shane McCoy is the Quality and Technical Training Director for Wil-Kil Pest Control, a regional pest management company providing quality pest management for residential and commercial properties throughout the Upper Midwest. As an Associate Certified Entomologist with over 20 years of experience in pest management, Shane’s blog provides expert tips and tricks, timely information and solutions for coexisting with the insect life and critters around us. To learn more about Wil-Kil Pest Control, please visit www.wil-kil.com. You can also follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@WilKilPest).