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Insects invading your home when it is cold

Abell Pest Control

As temperatures dip across the country, unwanted insects and other bugs begin to look for ways to fight the cold. For that reason, you may find that your home is full of outdoor invasive bugs in the fall and early winter.

Keeping your home well protected starts with a clean and tidy lawn free of debris or other areas for bugs to hide. Next, be sure to patch up and holes or points of entry. An unsealed crack is just as inviting as an open window without a screen. Here's what you need to know about pest control in autumn:

Why the fall?

Bugs may not head indoors to last the entire winter. Rather, they often seek shelter from the cold in search of a good place to lay eggs for the spring. Other insects, like ants may simply be searching for new sources of food. Whether it's to hibernate, breed or just snag an easy meal, your home becomes a more attractive place when the weather gets cooler and wetter.

For some homeowners, this simply may be a disgusting nuisance. For others, as well as business owners, unwanted pests can be a serious threat. Here are some of the most common insect invaders in the fall:

Flies

Colorado State University found that flies are some of the first insects to colonize homes and other human buildings when the temperatures begin to drop. Not only are cozier conditions and the possibility of an easy meal reasons for a fly to come into your home, but they may even be attracted to the bright colors and hues of your living room or kitchen.

During the autumn they can become quite bothersome. If they find an appropriate place to hide, they may even hibernate in a semi-dormant state throughout the winter. 

Bees and yellow jackets

Though most worker bees or drones die off during the colder months, a new potential queen will hibernate until next season in a safe, warm place. If your home, shed, or garage has cracks or other areas for the queen to nestle into for the duration of the winter, you could be setting yourself up for an infestation in the spring. In years, when winter is milder than usual, nests can survive in attics and wall voids. Dealing with openings or damage will lower the risk of this happening.

Stinkbugs

An increasingly common sight in the U.S. and Canada, the Brown Marmorated stink bug is actually an invasive species, according to Michigan State University. Native to China, Japan and Taiwan, these insects are now present in most States in the country and are particularly common in the Mid-Atlantic.

Not only can these bugs cause damage to crops and outdoor plants, but they often invade homes and businesses to avoid colder weather. Aside from being an unwelcome intruder, these insects can emit a pungent odor as a defense. Stink bugs will feed on pumpkins and other decorative fall plants, elevating the need for pest control services.

Fleas and ticks

One reason fleas and ticks can be so dangerous in autumn is because pet owners may not realize how active these bugs can be despite dropping temperatures. These creatures may not actively migrate into your home but can become an issue for anyone who doesn't thoroughly inspect any pets or extremities after spending time outdoors.

Even well into the fall ticks and fleas can be a major problem, and fallen leaves only exacerbate the issue by offering new hiding spots. By being proactive, however, you can catch any potential infestations as early as possible and mitigate the possibility of unwanted bugs entering your home or business.

About the author:

We are reliable experts in pest control—experts who care. At Abell Pest Control, we bring experience, efficacy and knowledge to customers who are looking for a fast, safe and effective solution to their pest problem.

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