Winter Pests 101Missy Henriksen
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Common Pests that Invade the Home During the Winter Season
When winter weather arrives, some
pests go into hibernation while others enter homes seeking warmth
and food sources. The National Pest Management Association
encourages homeowners to take several precautions against common
winter pests like mice, rats, raccoons, cockroaches and spiders.
Follow this guide of quick tips to prevent an infestation over the
next few months.
The house mouse is the most commonly encountered rodent in the
United States. House
mice usually nest in dark, secluded areas like attics and
basements. This rodent can cause serious property damage by chewing
through drywall and also wires that can then spark an electrical
fire. House mice are also known to contaminate food and spread
diseases, including Salmonella and tapeworms.
- Mice can fit through an opening as small as a dime. Seal cracks
and holes on the outside of the home with caulk and steel
- Keep areas clear and store boxes off of the floor because mice
like to hide in clutter.
- Regularly inspect the home for signs of mice, such as
droppings, gnaw marks and damaged food.
Norway rats often
nest in basements, piles of debris and other undisturbed materials.
They are known to gnaw through almost anything – including plastic
or lead pipes – to obtain food or water. Norway rats are also a
vector of many diseases like jaundice, rat-bite fever and cowpox
- Norway rats can fit through an opening as small as ½ inch (or
the size of a quarter). Inspect the outside of the home for any
gaps or crack and fill them with silicone caulk.
- Eliminate sources of moisture in crawl spaces and
- Regularly inspect inside the home for signs of an infestation,
including greasy rub marks caused by the rat’s oily fur.
cockroach is the most common species of cockroach found
throughout the world. German cockroaches prefer to live in small
areas close to food and moisture, so human homes make the perfect
habitat. This type of cockroach often hitchhikes indoors via
grocery bags, boxes and secondhand appliances, and is commonly
found in kitchens and bathrooms. German cockroaches can contaminate
food sources and spread bacteria and human pathogens. Moreover,
cockroach allergens are know to
trigger allergies and exacerbate asthma symptoms, especially in
- Keep counters and floors clean and free of crumbs.
- Vacuum frequently and dispose of garbage regularly.
- Pay attention to kitchens and bathrooms, especially under
appliances and sinks.
Brown Recluse Spiders
recluse spiders prefer to spin webs in undisturbed places, such
as closets, attics, crawl spaces and basements. Like other types of
spiders, the brown recluse is frequently found inside cardboard
boxes, along window moldings and in seldom-used clothing and shoes.
These spiders can bite and inject venom if disturbed, making them
dangerous to humans.
- Keep trees and shrubs trimmed away from the home and cut back
limbs overhanging the roof. This will help reduce the chance of
spiders finding a way inside.
- Store clothing and shoes inside plastic containers. Pay special
attention to shoes, baseball mitts and gloves that aren’t used as
frequently as other items, as spiders like to hide inside
- If you suspect you have a spider
bite, seek prompt medical attention.
are commonly found in the wooded eastern portions of the country.
This type of wild animal occasionally enters homes through attics
or chimneys in search of a denning site. Raccoons are a major host
of rabies in the United States.
- Store trashcans and recycling bins in sealed areas such as a
locked shed or outhouse. If trashcans are kept outdoors, use
- Inspect the outside of your home for access points, such as
broken vent covers. Repair any loose siding or shingles.
- Install a mesh cover or cap over chimneys and other exposed
openings to prevent entry. Also, keep tree branches trimmed back
from the house.