Contrary to popular belief, nature doesn’t take a break when the cold sets in, and pests do not just disappear into thin air. Driven by the natural instinct to survive, pests actively search for a haven that can provide them food and a warm shelter to see them through the winter months. Checking your attic for pests during the winter is as important as any other time of the year, and can help you avoid problems that might otherwise arise when spring comes.
Give your family the gift of peace of mind this winter by making sure that no pests are making you their unwitting hosts.
Why You Need to Check Attics for Pests
When the infamous Canadian winter settles in, households rely heavily on their heating systems for warmth. However, you may not be the only ones making yourself cozy and taking advantage of modern technology. Just as we take comfort in the temperate climate of our homes, so will pests. Attics often have minimal human traffic, which means less noise and no lights, making them especially attractive to rodents, raccoons, spiders, and other household pests.
In addition to the pests Canadian winters can scare into hiding, various autumn pests may have already found their way into your attic months ago, taken up residence, and been feeding and reproducing in comfort. If you did not have the chance to inspect your home for pests during the autumn season, now is the second best time to do so.
Do not wait for signs of an infestation to become obvious, or to spread into the living areas. There may be a complete absence of bugs or rodents in the more active spaces in your home, but checking the less frequently used areas can benefit you greatly.
In your attic, pests may believe they can weather away the cold, unmolested until spring when they are at their most active. It is crucial you check your attic during this lull. Doing so, you will remove any threat and establish a formidable defence against a full-on infestation when the winter ends.
Below are some of the various pests you should watch for during the winter:
- Rodents
- Mice – Though they do not have the collapsible skeletons spoken of in a widely circulated myth, they can still fit into tiny cracks and holes as small as a nickel. They are also social creatures, and are likely not alone if you spot one. Like the other rodents below, mice can nest in older house insulation, and have been known to chew through the insulation on electrical cables, causing a potential fire hazard.
- Rats – Rats are more solitary creatures than mice. However, if you find evidence of one rat in your house, there is always the potential for more. In the winter time, they are opportunists seeking out extra food and stockpiling them so they do not have to face a shortage.
- Squirrels – Squirrels typically prefer trees, but when the leaves start to shed, forests become less safe for them. Drawn to the promise of more food (like the seeds in bird feeders) and a haven from predators, squirrels in the city prefer a cozy house or building.
- Raccoons
Raccoons primarily feed on insects and vegetation, but in urban areas — especially in Toronto, the raccoon capital of the world — raccoons depend on human garbage waste for a significant part of their diet. City racoons often prefer to nest in attics or basements, where they can have food and space to prepare for the nesting season.
- Overwintering Insects
Asian Lady Beetles – Unlike the ladybugs they closely resemble, Asian lady beetles emit a foul odour and have a painful bite. They are best left outdoors.
Boxelder Bugs – Human dwellings typically do not hold any charm for boxelder bugs; but in the winter, they like hiding in piles of wood and behind sidings of a home and cluster in brick or cement structures to catch the sunlight.
Cluster Flies – So named for their tendency to live in large communities while overwintering, cluster flies are not considered a health hazard, as they do not lay eggs in human food. However, due to their numbers, they can create a mess, leaving small spots (their excrement) on clothes or the walls of your home. They are an serious pest to gardeners and composters, as their larva is a parasite for earthworms.
Treating a Winter Infestation
- Seal openings Eliminate entry points by using materials such as metal sidings, wire mesh, sheet metal, or caulk to cover cracks and holes. Fortify your foundation and block openings around doors and windows.
- Clean up Get rid of any clutter inside your house that pests might turn into a nesting ground. Tightly seal garbage containers. If you have a smart raccoon in your neighbourhood, reinforce your raccoon resistant green bin. Clean roof gutters of debris (including acorns) so as not to invite squirrels. Have an arborist remove tree branches that overhang your roof.
- Vacuum Use your vacuum to get rid of insects like cluster flies and asian lady beetles.
- Eliminate nests If you discover an infestation, try to locate all the nests or dens, and remove them. Though there are various do-it-yourself treatments you can turn to, hiring a professional is recommended for a safer and more effective removal.
- Place food in sealed tightly containers Don’t leave crumbs or pet food lying around the home. The lack of easily accessible food will make your home less attractive to pests.
- Set up traps Traps can be an effective way to eliminate mice. Place the traps in low-traffic areas, like along walls where they travel. Wear gloves to avoid getting your scent on the traps. Bait with just a tiny amount of peanut butter or hazelnut spread.
- Light up your home Most pests prefer the dark. Place bright lights near nest-worthy areas in your attic. Lights near your garbage bins can keep raiding raccoons from your bins. Having the lights on motion detectors makes them less predictable to pests, and thus more effective at deterring them.
- Use natural deterrents If you want to use a more environmentally friendly approach, replace chemical insecticides with more naturally-derived remedies.
- Drive rodents away by placing used kitty litter, peppermint oil, or a container of ammonia in strategic areas.
- The scent of citrus, citronella, and cloves can deter Asian lady beetles.
- Spray boxelder bugs with soapy water to kill them.
- Spread diatomaceous earth around your home to keep insects from creeping into your house from the ground.
- Install ultrasonic devices Ultrasonic devices transmit high frequency sound waves that can confuse and frighten rodents. However, rodents that frequent the area will eventually become accustomed to the sound, rendering the devices redundant. Additionally, excessively high intensities can harm humans and animals, so use with caution.
Your home is a haven for you and your family — definitely not for any rodent or bug. Let these pests know that your attic is not for rent. Continue your vigilance during the winter to make sure your home is pest-free and ready for the spring.
To rid your home of pests completely and make sure they don’t come back during the more active months, call the professionals at Pro Pest. Our skilled and experienced technicians are equipped with the necessary knowhow, tools, and equipment to detect, remove, and pest-proof against further infestations. Our methods are thorough and will not cause harm to you or your household; call us today at (416) 487-4179.
