During the winter months in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area, most rodents or pests either hibernate or hide from the chilly temperatures. It seems that winter has come a little early this year, so it is time to learn what precautions you need to take to keep your home and business pest-free.
Are Rodents Hibernators or Hiders?
There are several rodents that are known as “true hibernators,” meaning that they are completely dormant for most of the winter season, and their body temps drop significantly. Groundhogs and chipmunks are also hibernators, although chipmunks do wake to eat their stored food.
Most rodents are not hibernators; they can be home invaders, hiding in walls, attics, garages and under porches or decks. The most common hidden pests are mice, rats, squirrels, raccoons and bats. Possums may hide under an outdoor structure and those pesky chipmunks may hibernate there as well. Moles won’t enter your home, but they will burrow deeper into your yard to create a den underneath any external structure.
What Are Insects Doing During The Winter Months?
All species adapt in some way to deal with cold weather. We are familiar with the monarch butterfly that migrate to Central America for the winter months and there are others west of the Rocky Mountains that fly to southern California for the winter. Other insects do not get the luxury of a warm, winter home. Some others, like crickets, die off in the winter, leaving behind their eggs. That is, unless they are lucky enough to find their way indoors through a crack in the foundation or a poorly sealed window.
Wasps and yellow-jackets, and some mosquitoes find a comfy, protected spot to become dormant until warm weather reactivates them. Ants put on fat before the cold weather hits. They don’t hibernate, but their body temp drops, making them sluggish, hiding out the winter under rocks and tree bark. Moths fom a cocoon in the fall to complete their development during the warmer months.
Roaches and scorpions tend to move in with humans for the winter months. They love the attics and wall voids because those places are warmer and well protected. Silverfish and spiders, on the other hand, stay active all year in your home, even if you don’t see them.
How Do You Keep the Hiding and Hibernating Pests Out of Your Home?
Proactive is always better than reactive. Inspect your home before the cold weather hits, or if you notice an unwanted pest. Seal up any cracks or entry points you find. Check your weather stripping, the frames of all windows and doors; don’t forget your door sweeps. Lock windows to keep resourceful raccoons out. Seal holes in siding, especially anything near the attic. Check your roofing eaves and soffits for gaps. Your chimney should be inspected for cracks and flashing problems.
It is important to have your home or business treated year-round for pest control. A Buzz Kill Pest Control professional will be able to look for any potential concerns and can spot any hint of a pest problem. If you know or suspect a wildlife issue, it is best to have a pest-control specialist deal with it. Many animals carry bacteria and diseases that can be harmful to humans. Get in touch with Buzz Kill Pest Control today to handle your rodent, bug and insect concerns year-round to keep you comfy and cozy in your Texas home for the winter.