3 Winter Pest Control Tips: Milwaukee Exterminator Services

Winter Pest Control / Prevention

Humans naturally seek shelter in adverse weather. It may come as no surprise that other animals share this shelter-seeking behavior with us.

3 Winter Pest Prevention Tips

1. Find & seal any cracks or openings in your house. Rodents and insects are both opportunists when pursuing warmth during Wisconsin winters. Even the smallest openings will be taken advantage of. Check for openings in your foundation, siding, chimney, attics, sceens, doors, etc. and get them closed up or covered.

2. Store any firewood at least 20 feet from the house. Wood piles are a favorite place for ants and rodents to create nests. Keeping wood away from the house reduces the chances of pests making the jump to your home.

3. Keep your home clean and organized. Any crumbs or other waste can act as bait for pests, and any clutter can make pests hard to find. Don't keep food out (including crumbs) and make sure to take your garbage out.

Most Common Fall & Winter Pests

There are many pests that you might find year round. Roaches and bed bugs are good examples of that. But there are other pests that you're far more likely to find when it starts to get cold.

Common Winter Rodent Pests:

• House mice
• Rats
• Squirrels

Common Winter Insect Pests:

• Box Elder Bugs
• Asian Beetles (Orange Ladybugs)
• Stink Bugs
• Termites

Typical insects like these are ill-adapted to handle the cold and therefore follow the warmth inside. They'll spend all Spring and Summer outdoors where you hardly notice them, but as soon as temperatures drop they move inside through cracks and crevices in your home or business. 

Unfortunately, these pests can leave stains and smells in your carpets, fabrics, and walls - AND they tend to gather in large numbers during winter. Some insects even release pheromones to let others know "hey, it's warm over here". So if you see one, there's always more. Contact A-Landlords today to properly get rid of them and keep them from coming back.   

Finding Pests in Your Home

All sorts of animals are starting to move inside as temperatures start to get too cold for comfort. They find every crack, hole, nook, and cranny available. They crawl into these faults, and find refuge from snow, cold, and harsh Wisconsin winter storms. If these problem areas aren't taken care of before the temperature drops, you may be in for a few unwanted visitors this winter.

Many times, the only evidence you’ll have of these new cohabiters is their droppings. You’ll also probably catch a glimpse of some of the pests scurrying around. Pests will usually do their scurrying at night under the added cover of dark. However, you may find them foraging for food during daylight hours, or even at night with all your lights on. They're oportunists, afterall.

It’s extremely important to close or cover all food sources during winter, as this is an added incentive for pests to migrate indoors. Be sure to do your dishes shortly after eating, and make sure all your excess food particles are in a covered garbage or washed completely down the drain. Your kitchen will be a favorite spot for late-night pests to snack.

Cockroaches Bees & Wasps

Ants Rodents

It can be as easy as turning off your lights for a brief period of time, and then turning them back on. In that time, any unwanted pests may have meandered out into the open. The bugs will run back to their hiding spot when you turn the lights on again. Make a note of where they ran to, and call an exterminator.

Exterminators with Experience

Chances are, if there’s one bug, there’s a whole colony. Possibly, just behind your wall. The colony will expand behind your wall until you take countermeasures. A-Landlords knows the best ways to prevent bugs from traveling around the house and relegating them to such a small area that the pests will not be able to get enough food to sustain themselves. A-Landlords: problems solved.

Places Pests Most Commonly Hide: In your walls In your basement Under your bed In undisturbed closet space In your garage In your attic Under your furniture In toy chests Near food sources Behind wood paneling

Preventing Pests from Entering Your Home

A-Landlords knows how to stop pests from entering your house. We know what to look for, the signs and symptoms of where bugs could enter your home.

Your exterminator always brings the right chemical solution to get the job done. Call today. Tell us what kind of bugs you’re dealing with. Tell us the approximate size of the infestation. Or, maybe you don’t have an infestation. Maybe you’re looking to stop bugs before they even start looking for refuge. We’re experts. A-Landlords finds and seals any possible entries to your home before pests think to hide there. Call today. We’ve got you covered.

Contact A-Landlords today, and pests don't stand a chance.