Where to Look for Pests That Have Been Hiding in Your Home
Earlier this month, we discussed insect signs to look for during your spring cleaning. Now we’re going to provide a little more information on where to look for pests that have been hiding in your home during the winter. These are the spots you may want to check if they weren’t cleaned or if you skipped the full on spring cleaning this year.
Back of Cupboards
Cupboards are a prime hiding spot for insects and their larvae. It’s close to food in the kitchen but tucked away out of sight. The cupboards that you rarely open are where you’re most likely to find bugs.
Pantry
Insects need food and water just like all other living creatures. The cool, dark confines of the stocked pantry attract a variety of insects that are looking for an easy meal, including cockroaches and ants.
Garage
The garage is one of the easiest areas of a home for insects to access. It also contains things like the trash and birdseed, which provide a food source. Garages that are used for storage instead of parking are the most prone to bug infestations during the winter.
Attic
A number of insects such as ladybugs, need to find a warm place to stay during the winter. They’ll look for gaps and cracks along a home’s exterior to find a way inside. Vents and gaps along the roofline can give bugs easy access into the attic space. Many insects and larger pests prefer this area because it doesn’t have a lot of human activity. If you suspect you have a large pest in the attic, it’s always best to call a professional exterminator rather than inspecting on your own.
Under Furniture
Another spot where you may find the larvae of winter pests is under the furniture. It makes sense given that the area is climate controlled yet out of sight. If you have carpet, the likelihood of insects hiding under the furniture is even higher.
Mattresses and Bed Frames
Two words every person hates to hear – bed bugs. Contrary to popular belief, some people don’t show signs of bed bug bites. That means you could be sleeping with insects but don’t know it because it hasn’t reached infestation level. A quick way to find bed bugs is to look around the mattress and bed frame. Bed bugs will hide in this general vicinity, and you’ll also see spots on the mattress where the bugs have defecated.
Electrical Receptacles, Appliances and Electronics
During the wintertime insects are looking for warmth. One place they find it is in and around electrical receptacles as well as electrical equipment. Electric outlets also provide an entry into the home from inside the walls. Bed bugs, ants, and wasps are just some of the bugs you could find near appliances, electrical devices, and receptacles.
Closets
There are some insects that love to feast on fabric. Moths are a main culprit that will chew holes through clothes whenever they get a chance. This makes the closet a perfect winter retreat for some types of bugs.
Baseboards
Inspecting around your baseboards can quickly reveal whether pests have been hiding inside during the winter. Gaps between the boards and the wall give insects access inside the home, and rodents have been known to chew holes in the baseboard in order to make their way around the home.
Under the Kitchen or Bathroom Sinks
There are two reasons bugs like to hide underneath sinks. For one, there is moisture in these areas that provides a water source. The piping that goes into the wall from the sink is also a hidden route into other areas of the home.
Have you come across insects that are shacking up in your house? Vulcan Termite and Pest Control Inc. is already busy helping Alabama homeowners get rid of overwintering insects and taking preventative measures to control spring bug populations. Call today to discuss custom pest control treatments that will evict the insects that are living inside your house.
Original Source: https://www.vulcantermite.com/seasonalpests/where-to-look-for-pests-that-have-been-hiding-in-your-home/