Pest 101: What is Overwintering?

Winter arrives on Dec. 21.  You may be dreaming of lazy days spent drinking hot cocoa by the fire.  But, you’re not alone!

Pests, just like humans, are searching for warm places to spend the winter months, and they can be enjoying the warmth and coziness of your home too.  In pest terms this is called overwintering.

Just because you don’t see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there.  Many species such as stinkbugs, boxelder bugs, beetles and even rodents spend the colder months overwintering in warm places such as basements and attics.  You may not even know they’re there until the warmer months when they start to reemerge from their winter hiatus.

There’s good new though. You can prevent making your home a welcome place for overwintering pests by keeping the pests out in the first place.

Seal cracks and holes in your home to prevent pests from entering your home.  Walk around your home to identify any potential cracks or holes in siding and sheetrock or places that may need to be caulked.  Pay special attention to areas around doors and windows as these are prime places for insects to enter!

Inspect foundations, basements, crawlspaces and attics for any signs of pests including rodents! These are easy places for pests to winter unnoticed because they are places where humans don’t spend a lot of time.

Take a Look Around Your Property.  Eliminate any tree limbs or bushes that may be touching your house as these can be bridges for pest entry into your home.

And, when in doubt, call a pest management professional to help you identify areas of your home that may be prime targets for overwintering pests.