Winter is usually the time of year to get together with family and friends to enjoy the holidays. Although winters in Florida may not bring any snow, they do bring out certain pests that may have gone unnoticed until now. Holidays are filled with surprises, but a rodent or insect problem doesn’t have to be one of them!

Many insects pass the winter months in various degrees of hibernation. Those insects that are soil dwellers or wood borers escape the cold by digging deeper into the soil or wood in which their colony is located. Insects that are in their developmental phase may overwinter in the larvae, nymph, or pupae stage. Insect eggs are ideally suited for withstanding the cold; their shells are thick and are often covered with hairs or silk (cocoons), that provide protection by insulating the eggs.

Despite the fact that insects are cold-blooded and rely on the temperature of their environment to keep them warm, many insect types have been successful in developing internal and external methods for surviving the cold winter months. Although they may not be seen regularly during the winter months, many pests can still be active in and around your home.

Cockroaches, carpenter ants, termites, paper wasps, mice, and rats are all active during the winter.

Professional pest control and proper maintenance will help you keep these pests from invading your home and landscape. Hulett Pest Control only uses the latest and most efficient pest control methods and top-of-the-line products- CLICK HERE to learn more about Hulett’s pest control services-and keep your home and landscape pest-free and worry-free!

Keeping Your Residence Rodent-Free During the Winter

Since rodents such as the house mouse, Norway Rat, and Roof Rat are warm-blooded mammals, they are prone to seeking shelter in warm, dry homes when outdoor temperatures drop. They may also be looking for food or a warm, safe place to give birth. Droppings, fresh gnaw marks, and tracks indicate areas where mice and rats are active.

Rodents can enter structures by crawling along wiring, fence tops, and tree branches that touch the home. Seal any openings larger than 1/4 inch to exclude both rats and mice. Openings where utility pipes enter buildings should be sealed tightly with metal or concrete.

Seal all vents and openings with concrete or heavy-duty metal screening. Equip floor drains and sewer pipes with tight-fitting grates with openings less than 1/4 inch in diameter. Doors, windows and screens should fit tightly; it may be necessary to cover edges with sheet metal to prevent gnawing. Keep tree branches trimmed and away from the home as well.

Due to health and sanitation concerns, any sign of an active rodent infestation should be dealt with quickly. Do you live in Florida and think this rodent may be invading your home or office? Floridabugs.com offers specifically designed pest control treatments to regulate and eliminate these pests!

Cockroaches and Ants:
Cockroaches also pose sanitation and health concerns. Cockroaches favor warm, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, and may also inhabit attics in boxes used to store ornaments, for instance. American, Brown Banded, German, and Oriental cockroaches are especially prevalent in homes during this time of year.

Sanitation is critical in roach control. Keep areas beneath sinks, stoves, refrigerators, etc. clean as well as cupboards, pantry shelves and food storage bins. Clean up spilled foods and liquids. Year-round maintenance is important in eliminating nesting sites and food sources of roaches.

Carpenter ants are also found indoors during the winter months, as they tend to nest in wood, which may be softened by moisture, and in dry wall voids. For this reason, inspect areas where wood may come in contact with excessive moisture (under the kitchen sink, around the dishwasher, etc.).

Workers cut galleries and tunnels in wood, expanding the nest size for the enlarged colony. They have also been found to nest in foam insulation. The presence of 20 or more winged and/or wingless ants indoors is usually a sign of indoor infestation.

Do you live in Florida and think cockroaches or ants may be invading your home or office? Floridabugs.com offers specifically designed pest control treatments to regulate and eliminate these pests!

Termites:
The Equal Opportunity Invader

Drywood termites, Formosan Subterranean termites, and Subterranean termites are active throughout the year in Florida, though termite activity tends to be lower during winter months. Cooler temperatures provide an excellent chance for a thorough inspection of the attics and crawl spaces of your home, since this is the best way to determine whether infestations and damage are present and what measures must be taken.

The key to determining an active infestation within the home is to look for the presence of worker termites and winged ‘swarmers’, especially in heated sections of the home. Because subterranean termites forage in soil, it is important to keep structural lumber from direct contact with soil. Check the house foundations, garage and other structures for shelter tubes extending from the soil. Leaky plumbing, air conditioning condensation, and any portion of a building that collects excessive amounts of moisture should be fixed to maintain an environment less attractive to Formosan and subterranean termites.

Examine foundations and discoloration or staining on walls or ceilings for water leaks that can decay wood and aid termite infestation. Pay close attention to spots where plumbing or utility pipes enter the foundation or flooring. Wood pressure-treated with preservatives can be resistant to termites, and use of treated wood can minimize available food sources for termites.

Do you live in Florida and think termites may be invading your home or office? Floridabugs.com offers specifically designed pest control treatments to regulate and eliminate these pests!

Paper Wasps:
Since the attic is often used to store holiday decorations, it should be noted that the Paper Wasp have been known to seek shelter and build their nest in the attic, rafters, and eaves of homes during the winter. They can deliver a painful sting, so if a paper wasp nest is spotted, pressurized pesticides can be used to eliminate the workers buzzing around it. Do not stand directly under the nest when spraying, as it will cause them to drop straight down after contact.

If no Paper wasps are present after being sprayed, the nest can usually be scraped or knocked down after a day or two, and should be discarded so the dead larvae do not attract other pests such as ants.

Do you live in Florida and think this wasp may be invading your home or office? Floridabugs.com offers specifically designed pest control treatments to regulate and eliminate these pests!

Free inspection with no obligation!
Hulett Environmental Services is a full service pest control company that has been serving Florida for more than 30 years! Our trained professionals will perform a thorough inspection of your home or office, and then recommend the treatment type that is best for you.

CLICK HERE now to schedule a free pest inspection with no obligation!