The weather has kept us guessing lately, as is typical of New England. If you've lived here for any period of time, you've learned a thing or two: Never trust the forecast, avoid the grocery store before a storm, and if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes.

For the past couple of years, we've received calls for ant problems even around Christmas and New Year's. We recently had a call about a bees nest in an attic- yes, in February! It just goes to show that winter weather, even when mild, has an effect on pest activity.

Cold

When temperatures (and snow) begin to fall, pests are busy clamoring for food and shelter. Rodents and overwintering insects find creative ways to infiltrate houses, where they will have everything they need to survive the winter - if you provide it.

You may think that a mild winter sustains more pest activity, but lots of snow can actually provide insulation for pests like ticks and termites, sheltering them from the elements.

Damp

Where there's snow, there's water, which is critical for survival. Pests like ticks, mosquitoes, and termites thrive in damp conditions. While water is a necessity, it can also pose a threat: Many pests that live underground are flooded out of their nests during heavy rain or snowmelt, pushing them upward in search of higher ground—like your home. Ants, earwigs, springtails, even mice and rats have their limits when it comes to moisture.

Understanding how different environmental factors affect the critters in your area can help you stay one step ahead of a problem. A year-round pest management program is a valuable trick to keep up your sleeve as well - call for a Pad Protection Plan quote today. The Burgess Pest team will brave the elements for you.