How Pests Find Homes in Winter Season- A Better Exterminators

As the seasons get colder and your heating systems begin to work their magic, warmth is what will make your house a home. However, with all of the comfort you and your loved ones will be experiencing, there is a vast ecosystem of bugs and rodents that are eager to claim some of that warmth for themselves.

It's important to take protective measures during the winter months so you can live in peace and comfort. A Better Exterminators works to help you understand why bugs infest your homes in the first place and what you can do to defend it.

Reasons Pests Infest Your Home

Food, Water, and Shelter

Just like any other living organism, basic survival tends to hinge on these three basic needs. Rodents and bugs alike are all looking for a safe place to call home, and one that is near an abundance of resources. Unfortunately, the warmth, access to clean water, and abundance of food sources make your home just as ideal for pests.

Most Pests Can't Survive the Cold

While some animals and bugs are more well-equipped to handle extreme temperatures than humans are, they can still be very sensitive to extreme temperatures. So, encountering the warmth of your home is such a stark contrast that they will continue to flock to it. When faced with the prospect of survival, your home is the ideal environment for them to live in.

How to Keep Pests Out During the Winter

Keep Your House Clean

Cleaning your house may seem like a no-brainer, but it really can have a positive impact on your health and safety. Clutter, especially in trash cans, sinks, countertops, and other frequently used areas, tends to leave water and food sources out in the open. By not cleaning them up, you are making food sources more accessible to pests, which increases the likelihood of them working their way into your home.

Clean the Gutters

Gutters are designed to catch and dispose of the water safely off of your roof. However, they are notorious for collecting organized material, such as leaves and sticks during the fall season. If they aren't cleaned out, the organic material could become a primary food source (or even a home) for surrounding bugs and rodents. Cleaning out the gutters not only protects the gutters themselves, but also reduces the concentration of pests around your home.

Check for Leaks

Leaks are bad enough on their own. Water damage can quickly spread and destroy surrounding food, contaminate surfaces, cause premature rotting, and encourage mold growth. Throw bugs or rodents into the mix, and the leak has become a very multi-faceted problem. Checking for leaks and taking care of them will decrease access to stray water, which will reduce the likelihood that pests will infest your home to find it.

Move Wood and Leaves Away From the House

Wood and leaves are vital components of many habitats. After you rake up leaves and clean up your yard, be sure to keep the piles as far away from your home as possible. Bugs and many rodents will eventually acquaint the pile, and if it is too close to your home, the warmth may encourage them to infest that as well.

Seal Entryways

Many bugs and rodents are capable of squeezing in through extremely tight spaces. Filling in gaps is important not just for ensuring an airtight, watertight seal but also to keep bugs out as well. Otherwise, the door is literally wide open for entire colonies of bugs to come in as often and as quickly as they please.

Schedule An A-Better Consultation

A-Better Exterminators has years of experience helping Oklahoma homeowners protect their homes and live in comfort throughout the winter. If you are dealing with an infestation and need an experienced professional to take care of it, e are here to serve you. For more information, contact one of our specialists today.

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What are Termites?

19 Apr, 2023

The Silent Destroyers: What are Termites? In homes and buildings, causing significant damage and financial loss. These tiny insects are often referred to as "silent destroyers" because they can chew through wood and other cellulose-based materials without leaving visible signs of their presence until the damage is already severe. In this blog, we will explore the signs of a termite infestation and why early detection is crucial in preventing extensive damage. Swarms: Termite swarmers are reproductive termites that emerge from mature colonies to mate and establish new colonies. They are winged and are attracted to light sources, such as windows and lights. Finding termite swarmers indoors or seeing discarded wings near windows, doors, or other light sources could be a sign of a nearby termite infestation. Mud Tubes: Subterranean termites, which are the most common type of termite found in the United States, build mud tubes as a way to travel from their underground colonies to their food sources. These mud tubes, which are typically about the width of a pencil, can be found on walls, foundations, and other surfaces. Mud tubes are a clear sign of an active termite infestation and should be addressed immediately. Wood Damage: Termites feed on cellulose, which is found in wood and other plant-based materials. As they tunnel through wood, termites create galleries or tunnels that run parallel to the wood grain. Over time, this can weaken the structural integrity of the wood, resulting in sagging floors, hollow-sounding wood when tapped, and visible damage such as blistering or darkening of the wood surface. If you notice any of these signs, it may indicate a termite infestation. Frass: Frass is termite excrement and is often one of the first signs of a termite infestation. Drywood termites, which do not need contact with soil and can infest dry wood, push their excrement out of small holes called kick-out holes. This results in tiny pellets or piles of frass that resemble sawdust or sand. Finding frass near wooden structures or on windowsills could be an indication of a termite infestation. Discarded Wings: After termite swarmers mate and establish new colonies, they shed their wings. Finding discarded wings around your home, especially near windows, doors, or light sources, could indicate a termite infestation. Termite swarmers are weak fliers and often shed their wings as they attempt to establish a new colony, leaving the wings behind as evidence of their presence. Holes and Blisters: Termites often create small holes or blisters on the surface of wood as they eat through it. These holes can be visible on walls, furniture, or wooden structures and may indicate an active termite infestation. These holes can also provide an entry point for other pests or lead to further damage if left untreated. Weakened or Hollow-Sounding Wood: As termites consume wood from the inside out, the wood may become weak and hollow-sounding when tapped. If you notice that a wooden structure, such as a floor or a door frame, sounds hollow or feels weak when touched, it could be a sign of a termite infestation. Conclusion: Termite infestations can go undetected for long periods of time, causing significant damage to homes and buildings. Early detection is crucial in preventing extensive damage and minimizing repair costs. If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, it's important to consult with a professional pest control company. These professionals can assess the situation and implement appropriate termite control measures. Regular inspections by a pest control professional can also help in detecting termite infestations.