Watch Out For These Pests This Winter!

The winters in Iowa render it nearly impossible for many types of pests to live outdoors as they normally do. While many pests disappear this time of year, overwintering insects and rodents can attempt to make their way into your home. In partnership with PestWorld, the NPMA recently released their 2021 Fall & Winter Bug Barometer® predicting a significant increase in rodent and Asian lady beetle activity this time of year.

With our coldest months still ahead of us, now is the time to learn everything you can about winter pest pressures and what you can do to prevent an increased risk of a rodent problem or overwintering pest infestation. The experts at Springer Professional Home Services are here to help—read on to learn more!

Rodent Activity in the Winter

The most concerning prediction from NPMA’s report is the expected increase in rodent activity this winter. Rodents in particular are known for heading indoors this time of year to wait out the cold months ahead. No one wants to share their home with rats and mice over the holiday season, making it important to implement winter pest control before they get indoors. The biggest concerns of a rodent infestation in your home this time of year are as follows.

1. With their ever-growing incisor teeth, rodents are constantly chewing on a number of things in your home, electrical wires included.
2. To build nests, rodents will tear through materials in your home, including your insulation and cardboard boxes.
3. Rodents can directly or indirectly transmit some of the most dangerous diseases, from rat-bite fever to hantavirus.
4. Rodent droppings can contaminate food and create a hazardous environment in your home or business.

What Are Overwintering Pests?

An overwintering pest is any insect or wild animal that gets into your property, typically in the fall, for shelter during the winter months. Rather than hibernate during the cold winter, these pests will nest and remain active in your attic or crawl space until spring rolls around. One of the biggest concerns for residents in Iowa is the Asian lady beetle. Before the first frost, adult Asian lady beetles begin to seek shelter to spend the winter. This is why fall infestations are so common as they flock to the sides of your home in the late fall before coming inside. Preventing overwintering pests like these beetles requires implementing fall pest prevention tactics to keep them out.

Winter Pest Control Services in Iowa

With the holidays quickly approaching, the last thing you want to deal with is a pest problem. Especially with NPMA’s prediction of increased rodent and Asian lady beetle activity this year, now is the time to implement fall pest control services. The exterminators at Springer Professional Home Services will work with you to keep pests out all winter. Contact us to get started!