Pests Are Most Likely to Move Into Your Home This Winter
Now is about the time pests in Alabama are moving indoors to escape the cold. They don’t care one bit that they are unwelcome and not contributing a cent to the heating bill. Which pests are most likely to move into Alabama homes at this time of year? Find out now!
Argentine Ants
This aggressive ant species will move in quickly, going from the woodpile into your home in a matter of a day, especially if there are winter rainstorms. Just like the country, Argentine ant colonies are known for their massive size. Even though they aren’t destructive, they can become a huge headache because there is more than one queen in a colony.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs
These smelly guys become a big problem in the fall for Alabama homeowners. Stink bugs need a warm shelter in order to survive the winter, which is why you’ll start seeing more of them around your home in the fall. They prefer to overwinter either in nooks of trees near structures, or in the buildings themselves if they can get inside. Because they travel in large packs, Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs can become a huge nuisance, but the one piece of good news is they don’t reproduce indoors.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants will also move their nests indoors whenever the temperature drops outside. However, unlike Argentine ants, these guys can do serious structural damage if they decide to shack up in your house over the winter. You’re most likely to see them in late winter as they move away from their satellite nest. They may have also made an indoor nest to keep warm during winter, which requires immediate action to minimize the damage. They are most active at night and will be searching for moisture so you may notice ants in the morning around sinks, toilets, tubs, etc.
Flies
They don’t call them house flies for nothing! Flies are thought of as a summertime pest that loves to crash al fresco dinners. It’s not uncommon to also see pesky flies buzzing around during the warmer months, but they’ll try to get in your home during the winter as well. Flies will get inside through the attic, vents, cracks – virtually anywhere there is a tiny opening into your home. They could overwinter in a large group without you ever knowing it since they are mostly inactive.
Kudzu Bugs
This cousin of the stink bug has become a huge problem in Alabama and the rest of the south. It seems like the cold is one of the few things that will slow them down. When the temperature drops, they will gravitate towards homes that are putting off comfortable heat. Kudzu bugs are attracted to lighter colors, so white or beige homes are particularly at risk. They won’t cause structural damage, but kudzu bugs do have a pungent smell and can devour garden plants. For those reasons, you won’t want them anywhere near your home, no matter what season it is.
Ladybugs
They may be cute – until hundreds of them congregate together inside your home for the winter. In order to survive, ladybugs have to find a warm shelter out of the elements. Infestations are common in the winter because ladybugs hibernate together in large groups. Typically they like to hide out upstairs, laying low until spring arrives. Ladybugs are beneficial in the garden, but they are a huge problem if they decide to overwinter in your house.
Winterizing your home is important for energy efficiency, but it’s just as important for your pest control. Vulcan Termite and Pest Control Inc. can add another important layer of protection with customized pest control treatments. Give us a call before the cold sets in to keep pests outside where they belong.
Original Source: https://www.vulcantermite.com/seasonalpests/pests-are-most-likely-to-move-into-your-home-this-winter/