Spring and summer in New England bring out some of the worst in the pest world. Bees attacking your barbecue, mosquitoes and ticks terrorizing your yard. ants marching into your kitchen, flies that just never seem to go away. Although warm weather definitely factors into increased pest activity, winter comes with unique pest challenges of its own. Here's an overview of common winter pests in Arlington, MA.
Rodents
Rodents are one of the most common pests to invade homes in winter. They gain access through cracks and crevices in foundations, spaces around doors, windows, and utility chases, and gaps in roofing or chimneys, among many other entry points. During winter, mice and rats are on the lookout for food, water, and warm shelter. Thanks to rapid reproduction rates, a couple of rodents can quickly become an enormous infestation. Hazards of rodent infestations include structural damage, spread of disease, and insulation contamination.
Spiders
The majority of spiders in Massachusetts are harmless to people. Typical spiders to see in your home include house spiders, wolf spiders, and daddy long legs. Like rodents, spiders make their way indoors to find warmth and food. In fact, the presence of spiders may hint at an existing problem with insects that spiders like to eat. Which brings us to our next point...
Overwintering Insects
"Overwintering" is the process by which some insects wait out the colder months, taking shelter under tree bark, beneath plant materials, and inside buildings - like your house - until the weather turns favorable. Common overwintering insects to see in your home include stink bugs, boxelder bugs, and Asian lady beetles. You will likely spot them at the beginning of the cold weather, when they want to get in, and again as spring arrives, when they'd rather be out.
No matter the season, Burgess Pest is here to Protect Your Pad - and an estimate is always free. Let us help leave the winter pests out in the cold.
