The answer to this question seems like a no-brainer. Think about it. When you go outside in the middle of winter, you don't have to be worried about being attacked by mosquitoes, you aren't going to walk through sticky spider webs, and you won't see a multitude of ants crawling around on the sidewalk. But does that mean pests aren't lurking in your attic or wall voids? The fact is, when it is cold outside, many pests seek the warmth of a human dwelling to live in until the weather warms up. And even then, when it becomes livable outside, many of those pests choose to stay inside. Let's take a look at a few pests that love to dwell in homes no matter how nice it is outside:
- Mice: If you are hearing soft bumping, thumping, and scratching noises inside your walls, seeing tiny droppings in the back of your silverware drawer, or maybe even seeing a little critter scurrying away when you switch the light on at night, then you are dealing with a mouse infestation. These creatures tend to look for the warmth of a home when the weather turns cold. And they are not likely to move out when it warms up. They are perfectly content to stay put in the cozy nest they have built in the attic. They may come and go from the outside, but they will continue to scavenge for food in your home (depositing disease-causing bacteria everywhere they roam). And, if they are not taken care of, mice will multiply quickly.
- Rats: These creatures do the same as mice, only they are bigger, so they leave larger droppings and more urine and can make louder noises in your walls. Rats and mice are both rodents that continually chew on things. They cause damage by chewing on structures, stored items, and even electrical wires, which can spark and cause a fire. When rats or mice enter a home, they don't usually come into your home alone. They can carry parasites such as mites, ticks and fleas, which pose a whole new set of problems. And, since rats are bigger, they can carry more parasites. When the weather warms, rats are also not likely to move back outside. Your home provides shelter for these animals and, though they also may come and go from the outside, they will not move their nests just because the weather warms up.
- Spiders: If you are seeing a few spiders inside your home, chances are there are hundreds more living within your wall voids. And if there are spiders in your wall voids, then there are other pests in there as well, feeding those spiders. Having spiders around means walking into webs, constantly dealing with cobwebs, and possibly being bitten by these sneaky pests.
Although pest threats do change from season to season, once pests get into your home, many of them will not move back outside when the weather changes. If you need help getting rid of mice, rats, spiders, or any other household pest, reach out to the professionals here at Aiken Pest Control. We have residential pest control plans that will rid your home of pests, and keep it that way, all year long.