Typically, as a pest control company, we get a bit fewer newer calls in winter. Although some of this has to do with the holiday season, part of this is because many of the most common household pests tend to decrease in numbers in the winter months.
But just because they decrease does not mean that they’re not still present. Quite the contrary, pests are still a very, very common problem. It’s just that the types of pests that people tend to worry about are more likely to change. Specifically, they are more likely to change from the more ongoing pest control challenges (like ants) to one time and unexpected service needs.
Common Winter Pests in NYC
Even in the cold months, several pests remain active and problematic in urban environments like New York City. Yet the types of pests that you need to worry about can change considerably. During this time of year, the most common invaders to worry about include:
- Rodents (Mice and Rats) – NYC’s rodent population doesn’t take a break in winter. In fact, the cold drives them indoors in search of warmth, food, and nesting materials. Signs of rodent activity include droppings, gnaw marks, and scratching noises in walls or ceilings. Because they’re more active at night, you will want to listen for them starting at about 10am or so.
- Cockroaches – Cockroaches, particularly the German and American varieties, thrive in warm, indoor environments during winter, as the outside is too cold for them to live and breed. They often hide in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, attracted to food scraps and moisture. They may come in this time of year, or you may already have an existing infestation that may increase in numbers.
- Bed Bugs – Bed bugs don’t die off in winter; they hitch rides on luggage, clothing, or furniture, making them a year-round problem in NYC, and especially common during the holiday months when more people are traveling. You may even be more likely to get bedbugs if you tend to go on vacation, or have vacationers over.
- Silverfish – Silverfish are moisture-loving pests that can be found in bathrooms, basements, and areas with high humidity during winter. They feed on starchy materials like paper, glue, and fabrics, making them a nuisance in storage areas.
Other pests, like carpenter ants and spiders, may also be a problem this time of year, but they aren’t any more or less a problem now than in summer.
Why Winter Pests Are a Problem
Something to understand about pests is that most want to be outdoors. That’s where they can find mates, breed, etc. They come indoors because they find something they need or wander in there by accident, but most of them – with a few exceptions – prefer the outdoors.
In winter, the pests that come indoors do so out of survival. They are unlikely to try to go back outdoors again. Rats are a great example of why this is a problem. Rats can always be an issue, but in summer, they may live indoors but find food and mates outdoors. But in winter, they tend to live inside, because the outside is too come for them. That means they may be more likely to feed on your property and chew on your wires.
Preventing Winter Pest Infestations and Damage
Addressing winter pests is not necessarily any different from addressing pests at other times of year. But consistency is important. Some of the pests that are more likely to need one time and significant intervention, like rodents and bed bugs, are going to need a pest control company you can trust to handle the work.
Other pests, like cockroaches and silverfish, still need loosely the same type of pest control as you would do in summer, though you may need an interior treatment as well.
Either way, you need a pest control company you can trust to handle the job. Let Fillmore Pest be that company. We’re here with great rates and the best possible service to ensure that your property is protected from pests in winter. Give us a call today to learn more.