Pests that come into your Edisto Island, SC home over the cold winter months are called overwintering pests. These pests overwinter in various places in your home and then emerge in the spring as the weather begins to warm.
Yes, it’s that time of year. These pests will start making their way into your home this fall. Do you really want to watch in horror as they emerge in the spring, knowing that they were hibernating in your home all winter? We didn’t think so. Find out more about overwintering pests in our area and learn why professional pest control for your home is the most effective way to control them.
Overwintering Pests In Edisto Island, SC
Now is the time when aggressive pests such as lady beetles, boxelder bugs, stink bugs, and cluster flies invade homes as the weather cools.
Asian Lady Beetles
One example of a pest that can become invasive during the winter months. These beetles have a year-round predator/prey relationship with aphids. If there are any aphids present, they will attack and eat them. Lady beetles are 1/4 inch in size and come in various colors, such as yellow, red, or reddish-orange. They do not cause damage to the home, but when squashed, they leave stains on material and other surfaces.
Stink Bugs
Brown marmorated stink bugs are brown as their name suggests, have a shield-shaped body, and are half an inch in size. They can cause a lot of problems in the garden, but cause less damage inside. However, they do give off a foul odor when crushed and are hard to get rid of when in large numbers.
Cluster Flies
Cluster flies are larger than normal house flies. They are dull and dark in color, and have golden hairs. They hide in corners to stay protected and prefer the upper levels of the home. Cluster flies do not cause damage and are not a danger to humans, but a few of these insects can lead to an infestation. Having significant numbers of cluster flies makes them more challenging to eliminate.
Boxelder Bugs
These bugs are long and flat, have orange-reddish spots on a dark-gray, black body. Boxelder nymphs are red. They are only half an inch long and can get into small openings around the window and door frames. They are not dangerous but can bite if handled. They also leave a foul odor when crushed and stain surfaces.
Overwintering Pest Prevention Tips
When overwintering pests can’t gain access to their regular food, they might try and enter your home for another food source. There are certain areas within your home where pests tend to seek shelter during cold weather months.
To prevent pests from entering your home, try the following tips:
- Keep all windows closed at night and make sure to secure doors.
- Use door sweeps on exterior doors to seal out pests.
- Use caulk and weather stripping to seal windows and door frames.
- Remove piles of leaves and debris from the garden and gutters.
Good fall prevention is the trick to keeping overwintering pests out of your Edisto Island, SC home. The most effective way to deal with this problem is to foresee it and continue preventative measures, especially in the winter. To keep these pests from returning, seek expert pest control for your business or home from Apex Of Edisto Pest Management. Call today to schedule services or learn about our pest control service areas.