As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, many pests become virtually absent. The most annoying of them, such as bees, mosquitoes, and flies, a hideaway for the winter, and homeowners rejoice without their annoyance. But just because some pests are gone for the winter does not mean all of them are gone.
The winter in Arizona is still a good time for several pests to be problematic, including mice, spiders, and cockroaches. Seeking shelter from the cold, these pests want to invade our warm, cozy homes for solace. And just like keeping your guard up during the energetic and hot spring and summer, homeowners need to play a preventative part to keep winter pests at bay.
Seal Cracks, Crevices, and Holes Around Your Home
Since winter brings bigger pests, their entry into your home is more noticeable and preventable. Mice and rats, in particular, will invade through holes or cracks on your home’s perimeter or attic. Before the weather gets too cold and the holiday season is in full swing, it’s a smart idea to inspect possible entry points and thoroughly seal them off with caulk. Take a note of each area and re-caulk them for each changing season about every 3 months.
Do Your Part to Eliminate Food Scraps
Apart from seeking shelter, the other main reason a pest will enter your home is food. If you leave food scraps hanging around or fail to clean up, you are inviting a pest infestation. Regularly sweep floors, vacuum rugs, and take out the trash to eliminate any desire for a pest. You can be extra safe by putting some food in sealed containers and throwing away trash in a closed, sealed can.
Use Baits and Traps
With these winter pests in mind, you can be proactive to get traps that will kill or stop pests from running around your home.
For rodents, you have a range of options. You can get electric mouse traps, plastic snap traps, plastic enclosed snap traps, catch and release traps, or glue traps. You’ll likely want one that is discreet but effective, and we recommend either electric mouse traps or glue traps. With electric traps, you won’t need too many but can put them in high-traffic areas, and then you can use a number of glue traps around the house to stop them in their tracks.
Spider traps can be effective as well, especially in cold, dark areas like your basement or attic. You can use glue boards, but chemical sprays that will kill on contact are easier to use and more successful in stopping spider infestations from spreading. Use this along baseboards, in corners, or under furniture, but beware it can leave a temporary residue.
Cockroaches can be some of the most persistent pests, and you’ll need to be diligent to prevent them. Your cockroach trap options include sticky traps, position bait traps, or mechanical traps. The easiest with best results are poison bait and sticky traps. You won’t have to worry about constantly checking them or putting in the extra effort at their disposal.
Hire Professionals
The best way to prevent pests during any season is to get professional service before they invade your home. Urban Desert Pest Control has a team of experts ready to tackle any pest problem you may have, no matter the season. We can perform regular services to ensure no pests are ruining your home’s safety and comfortability.
Keep Your Home Safe for the Winter - Call Today for a Free Quote
Contact our team today to learn more about how we can keep you and your family safe from pests all winter long. We have a staff of over 20 employees with more than 25 years of pest control service, so we guarantee our exceptional results.
