Overwintering Pests

More About Overwintering Pests

In the Northeast United States, it gets very cold during the winter. The cold weather can create issues for homeowners, renters, and pests. Certain pests are not cold hardy so they need to sneak inside before winter arrives. If your home is open to pests, overwintering pests will find a way inside. It is pertinent to take steps to keep overwintering pests outside of your home.

Types Of Overwintering Pests

If you’re worried about overwintering pests, you’ll have to worry about several pests. In Philadelphia, a handful of pests make up this category. Below, readers will learn about some of the overwintering pests in Philadelphia.

Box Elder Bugs

Boxelder bugs fit into the overwintering pest category because they need to shelter inside of your home when it gets cold outside. When it is warm outside, Box Elder Bug will have no intention of entering your home since they’ll stay outside and consume boxelder sees. In late fall, they’ll try to enter your home because they’re worried about being exposed to extremely cold temperatures. They’re half an inch in length so they can sneak through the smallest cracks and gaps.

Although they don’t bite or damage your home, they’re a nuisance. Never crush them because doing so will turn your home into a smelly mess.

Asian Lady Beetles

When you look at them, you’ll agree that Asian Lady Beetles are cute. As a result, you may ignore the risks associated with ladybugs and this could be a big problem. Although ladybugs aren’t dangerous or deadly, they can create problems for people living in Philadelphia. These bugs will emit a terrible odor when they’ve been stomped so don’t do it. Use a vacuum to remove them from your home.

Cluster Flies

Cluster flies prefer living outside. Once they’ve escaped their earthworm host, they’ll stay outside. However, there are times when cluster flies will try to enter residential and commercial buildings. When it gets cold in Philadelphia, the cluster flies nearby will attempt to shelter in your home. They’ll hide behind wood planks of houses or loose tree bark. As the name implies, they cluster together so you’ll find them in large numbers. When it gets warm, they’ll emerge in big groups and that can be frightening.

Pine Seed Bugs

Some overwintering pests are so big that their presence will scare you. Leaf-footed pine seed bugs fit into this category since they grow up to three-quarters of an inch. You won’t need to worry about them much during the summer because they’ll stay outside and eat pine cones. Near the end of fall, leaf-footed pine seed bugs will look for shelter away from the cold weather. In some cases, these bugs will hide beneath the bark of pine trees. Alternatively, they’ll try to enter your home through small holes and cracks.

When their hiding place is warmed by your HVAC system or the sun, they’ll be ready to return outside. They’ll likely show up in large numbers and scare you. Just remember that they’re not dangerous or destructive.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs

Stink bugs have quickly become one of the most problematic overwintering pests in the United States. They came from Asia roughly many years ago and they haven’t stopped spreading since then. Stink bugs are approximately half an inch in length with backs that are shaped like shields. It is common to encounter stink bugs in Philadelphia. While it is warm outside, they’ll stay inside in the warmth and eat nearby crops.

Before the colder months arrive, they’ll attempt to see refuge in your home and nearby buildings. Once the warm weather returns stink bugs will be eager to go outside. As a result, you may find them in your home. Don’t scare stink bugs or crush them because they’ll release a foul odor. Use a vacuum to get them out of your home as quickly as possible.

Identifying The Signs Of An Overwintering Pest Infestation

If you want to identify an overwintering pest infestation, you’ll need to wait until the temperatures in your area increase. When this happens, the pests will try to return outside but they may get stuck in your home. Either way, you should find them in and around your home when it gets hotter. They can enter your home through small cracks and gaps. It is an accident to find them inside since they’re trying to go back outside. If you have overwintering pests in your home during spring and summer, you will have an overwintering pest problem this winter. You need to prevent them from entering your home before it is too late.

How Can I Block Overwintering Pests Out Of My Home?

Our company encourages you to deal with an overwintering pest problems before it worsens. To do that, you should begin working to block gaps and cracks around your home. Eliminate the pests’ entry points so they won’t be able to enter your home. It might not stop all overwintering pests, but it will make a big difference. Be sure to use the advice below to keep them out.

Check Screens & Small Gaps

• Search your exterior walls for small gaps, cracks, and holes. Overwintering pests will use them to enter your home.
• Block their entry points and you may keep your home free of pests.

Using A Barrier Treatment

• Installing an exterior barrier treatment is an effective way to keep pests away from your home.
• Remember to use a professional’s service because they’ll have access to stronger products.
• In addition to their, their industrial-strength chemicals will last longer.

Where To Look For Entry Points

Bricks

If you have a brick home, it likely has entry points for pests. Check the gaps at the top of the bricks. There should be gaps between the bricks and you’ll want to seal them as quickly as possible. Although you can use other methods, it is best to use some type of sealant. The bricks won’t experience movement so a sealant will do the trick.

Windows

Don’t forget to check your window frames. When a professional installer installs a window, they’ll usually caulk the top and sides to prevent water from entering the home, but they may not mess with the bottom portion of the window frame. To fix this problem, caulk the bottom of the window frame.

Clapboards

Near the roof of your home, the clapboards will have gaps where they meet the fascia. Sealing these gaps can help stop pests from entering your home. Although you could use caulk here, it is best to take advantage of a foam insulating cord.

Vents For Attics

Look at your attic vents and make sure the screens are in excellent condition. If they have small tears or rips, bugs will use these gaps to enter your attic and your home. If the screen is severely damaged, it should be replaced.

Check Utility Holes

There are holes found all around your home. There are holes for vents, pipes, cables, and wires. Although they’re essential, the holes should be minimized. They need to be filled and blocked to prevent bugs from crawling inside. Using old pot scrubbers can help block these entry points.

Ultimately, the easiest way to stop prevents from entering your home is contacting us. We offer cost-effective solutions for overwintering pests. Take advantage of our free inspections so you can find out how the bugs are entering your home.

What To Use To Keep Overwintering Pests Out

It is pertinent to use the right materials to protect your home. Below, you’ll learn more about some of the best exclusion materials.

Pest-Proofing Products

Visit your local hardware store and ask about pest-proofing products, you should be able to find products designed to keep pests out of homes. Exclusion materials work great for blocking overwintering pests and other household pests. Once you’ve installed them, you can prevent rats, bedbugs, roaches, and boxelder bugs from entering your home.

Sealants & Caulks

Should you use a sealant or caulk? Which material is best for the current situation? Well, it depends on the surface. Some surfaces will expand when the temperatures increase and decrease. Wood and aluminum tend to change over the seasons so you’ll want to use a sealant for these surfaces. If you’re sealing gaps in bricks, use a caulk.

Other Materials To Use

You’ll also want to use other materials to defend your home from overwintering pests. Foam insulating can help block long gaps, but try to stay away from the spray foam insulation. You’ll also want to protect your home using an aluminum screen, hardware cloth, and pot scrubbers. Aluminum screens can fit into holes of various sizes while pot scrubbers are best for smaller cracks.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.