PREPARE FOR OVERWINTERING PESTS

The shortening of summer’s sunlight and slowly cooling temperatures help prepare people for the winter months. Many insects interpret these weather changes in the same way in that they begin seeking a structure to survive the winter. Unfortunately, your home may provide the perfect habitat they are looking for with its warmth and shelter. Crickets, stink bugs, ladybugs, spiders, rodents, and more are all looking for a place to take residence for the winter.

First things first, where should you look for overwintering pests? Because most overwintering pests are discreet and don’t show many signs of destruction, it’s important to know where to find them. Overwintering pests will usually hide in out-of-the-way locations. These include many places that are often undisturbed and overlooked, such as:

• Attics, basements, and crawlspaces
• Cupboards, closets, and storage units
• Holes, cracks, and crevices in both interior and exterior walls
• Behind large appliance
• Within outdoor structures

Next, how should you prevent pests from entering your home in the first place this winter? As always, prevention is key! There are many ways to prevent pests from entering your home over the winter. The following are the ways you can protect your home from invading overwintering pests:

• Caulk and seal all holes, cracks, and crevices of your foundations, windows, and doors
• Clean and organize all cupboards, closets, and storage units
• Discard all cardboard boxes as they attract pests, and replace with plastic storage containers
• Check pipes and plumbing for leaks
• Store firewood outside and off of the ground
• Place mesh screens on attic vents and install chimney caps

If you feel as though your home is becoming infested with these overwintering pests, do not hesitate to call the local professionals at Black Diamond! Our Exterior Service Program (ESP) is a quarterly year-round service that is great to begin in the fall to prepare for winter.