As the winter starts and the weather gets colder, insects, small animals and other pests start to become less active. You typically see less of them and they aren’t as active in seeking out food. This leads many people to think that their homes and businesses no longer need pest control services. However, this may not be the case.

What Pests Are Doing in the Winter

Most animals and insects have special tactics that help them to survive the winter. These usually involve being significantly less active. Here are how a few common pests spend the coldest months:

• Mice and Rats: These smaller rodents both enter a state called torpor during parts of the winter to stay alive. This state is usually more temporary than hibernation. So, when the weather allows, the critters use their keen sense of smell to go looking for food and safe places to hide. This can include your home and kitchen.

• Ants: Typically, ants go dormant in deep colonies underground. However, they sometimes have satellite colonies inside homes, especially near food sources.

• Spiders: Spiders typically remain dormant until the spring. However, their favourite spots may be inside your house.

• Flies: Similarly, flies and most other bugs are dormant during the winter. Some may stay active if they are inside nice, warm homes.

• Raccoons: Most small mammals, including raccoons as well as skunks, also use either torpor or hibernation to stay alive. They seek out a nice, warm den in the fall. This can be in your home. If disturbed while in such a state, these animals can become defensive and dangerous.

Why Winter Pest Control Is Important

You are far less likely to see pests around your home during the winter. However, that doesn’t mean that they are completely gone. There are a few reasons why handling pest problems is important during the winter.

First, if you notice any signs of pests in your home, there is a high chance that they are living in it. This can be a signal that there is a serious problem that requires more than just a few DIY tricks to handle. Whether insects, birds or mammals, pests don’t like to venture very far during the cold weather. They may be in your walls, basement, attic or other hideaways close at hand.

Another issue is that animals need more substantial nests and dens in the winter. So, they may be damaging your home to support themselves. This is particularly true for wood-burrowing insects such as termites and carpenter ants.

The cold weather can provide an opportunity to clean up cobwebs, nests and dens with minimal risk. However, if you have any wild animals living in your home, don’t disturb them. Surprising a pest could be dangerous, especially with mammals, snakes and other larger pests.

When You Should Call for Services

If you notice signs that you have some unwanted roommates during cold weather, it is a good idea to call a pest control expert. Things to watch out for include seeing the pest itself as well as noticing bite marks on food, structural damage and other secondary signs of an infestation.

If you call us, our professional technicians can examine and assess your home or business. We look for signs of an infestation and track the signs to find the source. Again, if you have pests inside your home at all in the winter, they are likely nesting there. We can find where this is and address the problem permanently. Your health and safety is our top priority.

Schedule a Truly Nolen Canada Appointment Today

Are you concerned about pest control during the winter months? Contact Truly Nolen Canada today to schedule an appointment. We have many locations across the country. We look forward to helping you with your pest removal and prevention needs.