Some common pests you may encounter in your home this winter are rodents, lady beetles, and stink bugs. All are a nuisance in different ways. Lady beetles and stink bugs can enter in high numbers and cause odors and discoloration to walls, while rodents are alarming because they can spread bacteria and disease.

Rodents

Rodents begin to move indoors as temperatures get colder to find warmth. Rodents, such as rats and mice, are capable of entering through the tiniest of holes. Mice, for instance, have been known to be able to move through a hole the size of a dime. Rodents are also infamous for their sharp teeth that can chew through walls, insulation, and electrical wires. Damaged electrical wires are hazardous and a fire risk within homes. Check your home for signs of rodent droppings, gnaw marks, scurrying noises behind walls, and an accumulation of shredded paper hidden in dark corners, indicating a nesting site. If you do find rodent signs, the best approach is to call us to make sure rodents are quickly removed to ensure the safety and health of your family.

Lady beetles

Lady beetles, often called lady bugs, are common throughout the United States, especially the multicolored Asian lady beetle. Most people are familiar with their yellow, orange, and red colors with tell-tale black spots. Even though you may be familiar with lady beetles, it can still be alarming when lady beetles move en masse to the outside of a building, entering through attic vents and holes typically near the eaves and windows of a home. Vacuums with hepa-filters can be used to suck up lady beetles or simply brushing them off the wall using a broom is an alternative for removal. However, lady beetles can cause smells and wall discoloration if smashed. Therefore, if removal is not working or a viable option, call us to manage any infestations and help you proactively prevent lady beetles in the future.

Stink bugs

If you have ever attempted to swat, or even worse — smash, a stink bug, then you quickly learned how stink bugs earned their namesake. Stink bugs emit these odors to deter predators from eating them. Unfortunately, they don’t distinguish between you or a bird when releasing their putrid odors out of small holes located on their abdomens. Stink bugs will overwinter within your home, but typically stay hidden in wall voids or attics until spring time, when you will see them emerge from your home. The best action for stink bug control is prevention, so call us today to discuss a proactive program to help prevent stink bugs from entering your home this winter.