How to Keep Overwintering Pests Out of Your Home

As the temperatures drop in Colorado, certain pests start looking for a cozy place to hunker down for the winter. Pests like ladybugs, house mice, spiders, and stink bugs are all considered overwintering, seeking warmth and shelter inside homes and businesses. While some pests, like ladybugs and stink bugs, become dormant (or inactive), others—like mice and spiders—remain active all winter. In today’s blog, we’ll look at overwintering insects and rodents, share tips on making your home less attractive to pests and more challenging to get into, and tell you about our Colorado’s Choice plan. Let’s dive in!

What are overwintering pests, exactly?

Overwintering pests seek shelter in warm, protected places—like homes—during the colder months to survive the winter. As temperatures drop, these pests look for entry points into homes, garages, attics, and wall voids where they can stay safe from the cold.

While some overwintering pests stay put and even enter diapause (a sort of hibernation), others remain active inside homes, continuing to search for food and water.

Common overwintering pests include:

• Ladybugs
• Stink bugs
• Boxelder bugs
• Cluster flies
• House mice
• Spiders

Overwintering pests usually enter homes in the fall and may become more noticeable during warm spells in the middle of the winter or as they try to move back outdoors in the spring.e should point out that mice and spiders are considered overwintering pests, but they can be a problem throughout the year, not just during winter. Mice enjoy the steady supply of food homes provide and will continue to be uninvited guests as long as they’re comfortable. Spiders, too, seek out dark, quiet areas in basements, attics, and closets, regardless of the season. As long as there are bugs to eat and undisturbed areas to build webs, they’ll feel right at home.

How to keep pests out of your home this fall

So, how can you stop pests from making themselves at home? Here are some helpful tips from the pest control experts at EnviroPest:

• Seal up entry points
  In the fall, check your home’s foundation, doors, and windows for cracks, gaps, or crevices. Use caulking to seal tiny openings around utility pipes and cables and install fine wire mesh behind dryer vents to keep pests out.
• Repair screens
  Ensure your window and door screens are intact and free of holes or tears. If needed, you can fix them yourself or drop them off at a local hardware store (if they offer that service).
• Remove outdoor pest attractions
  Store firewood, lumber, and other materials away from your home, as these can attract rodents and spiders. Always inspect firewood before bringing it inside to avoid bringing pests. Keep debris piles to a minimum.
• Check for leaks
  Inspect your plumbing for leaking or dripping pipes. High-moisture areas can attract pests like earwigs and even lead to mold and water damage.
• Manage food sources
  Keep food in airtight containers, clean up spills promptly, and avoid leaving food on countertops—store fruits and vegetables in the fridge. Never leave dishes in the sink overnight.

Sign up for home pest control service and let our team handle the pests

Following these easy steps will make your home less inviting to pests this winter. But if it’s too late and you’ve already noticed pests trying to sneak inside, give EnviroPest a call. Offering effective and affordable home pest control services in Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins, and throughout NoCo, our pest pros can help identify problem areas and provide a solution that keeps the pests out. Our Colorado’s Choice program includes four seasonal visits, free re-treatment for covered pests between services, and more!

Contact us today to schedule your first inspection. We’d love to help you keep pests away this winter and all year.

This blog was originally published on January 30, 2014; it has been updated to reflect the most up-to-date information about pests and services.