Winter in Wheat Ridge usually means hiding under cozy blankets, drinking warm drinks, and staying indoors as much as possible. Unfortunately, different types of pests start looking for warm and safe places to ride out the cold months as the temperature drops. Your home makes the perfect spot for these unwelcome guests. But you can stay ahead by understanding why pest infestations are common in winter. Also, you can determine if it is time to work with a pest control technician at saelapest.com. The following are reasons pests infest homes in winter:
Cold Weather Sends Pests Searching for Shelter
Many pests cannot survive without finding shelter when it is cold outside. Mice, rats, cockroaches, and spiders look for any crack, crevice, or open door to sneak inside. Your home offers warmth, food, and protection from harsh winter conditions.
Winters in Wheat Ridge can be snowy and icy, so pests are more desperate to find a cozy place. This is the reason why you might notice signs of unwanted guests once the first freeze hits.
Food Sources Become Scarce Outdoors
Pests have endless access to food outside during spring and summer. Also, garbage is easy to find. But these food sources dry up in the winter. Snow covers the ground, gardens are bare, and many smaller creatures hibernate during the coldest months of the year.
This shortage drives pests indoors, where food is much easier to find. Crumbs under the kitchen table, an open trash can, or even pet food bowls can be an all-you-can-eat buffet for rodents and insects.
Homes Have Hidden Entry Points
You might think your home is sealed tight, but pests are experts at finding tiny ways inside. A mouse can fit through a hole as small as a dime. Insects only need a tiny crack around a window, door, or pipe to slip inside.
Winter weather can make this worse. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can cause wood and concrete to expand and contract, creating new cracks you might not notice. These gaps can be more common in an older Wheat Ridge home.
Less Activity Means Easier Hiding
People spend more time in certain parts of their homes such as the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms during the winter. This leaves basements, attics, and storage rooms quieter than ever. These undisturbed areas are perfect hiding and nesting spots for pests.
Rodents will settle into wall voids, storage boxes, or insulation. Cockroaches will hang out behind appliances or in dark corners. Spiders will spin webs in quiet, low-traffic places. There could be a bigger problem hiding out of sight by the time you see one pest out in the open.
Common Winter Pests in Wheat Ridge
Pests behave differently when winter hits. Here are the most common ones you might encounter:
- Mice and Rats. These rodents are among the first to try to move indoors when it gets cold. They cause damage by chewing wires, wood, and insulation.
- Cockroaches. These tough and sneaky pests survive best indoors during the winter. They are especially common in kitchens and bathrooms where it is warm and humid.
- Spiders. Most spiders do not come inside to escape the cold. They seem to be already living in your home. You only notice them in winter as they are looking for food.
- Cluster Flies: These flies are not dangerous, but they love to overwinter inside walls and attics. They show up on warmer days.
How to Make Your Home Less Inviting for Pests
Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to make your home less attractive to winter pests:
- Seal cracks and gaps. Walk around your home’s exterior and check for holes near windows, doors, and vents. Use caulk or steel wool to seal them up.
- Keep food put away. Store all food in sealed containers. Clean up crumbs and spills right away.
- Take out the trash often. Do not let garbage build up inside or outside your home.
- Declutter storage spaces. Keep basements, attics, and garages neat, so pests have fewer places to hide.
- Fix leaks: Even a tiny drip can attract pests that are looking for water. So, fix leaks as they happen.
