September means back to school, the return of cooler weather and the invasion of over-wintering pests. Over-wintering pests are those pesky creatures that move into structures in the fall, camp out and lay dormant all winter, and then emerge with abandon at the first sign of warm weather. The most common over-wintering pests in the upper Midwest include Asian lady beetles, box elder bugs and cluster flies.
Pest control companies receive an influx of calls in the spring when these pests try to exit homes or businesses. The best way to avoid seeing them in the spring though, is to prevent them from entering your home or business in the fall. So, how do you keep over-wintering pests out?
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- Inspect your structure for any cracks, crevices, holes or gaps. Fill any openings with a sealant that will stand up to the cold winter months.
- Pay special attention to windows and doors that don’t close completely. Install door sweeps and window seals to prevent pest entry.
- Check for dripping or leaking pipes, moisture is very attractive to all kinds of pests.
- Store firewood away from your home and inspect any items you bring inside from the outdoors, pests may be hiding inside.
- Hire a pest control provider to treat your home with an exterior barrier spray that will prevent pests from entering your structure.
Making your home or business less attractive to pests is the easiest way to avoid them – it is one of the foundations of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Contact your pest control company today to learn more about how an IPM strategy can safeguard your home or business.