As the temperatures begin to drop and the leaves begin to fall, fall is clearly upon us. That means several things for savvy homeowners, and one area you should be considering this time of year is pest control.
At A-1 Exterminators, we’re here to help with all residential and commercial pest control services you need this fall. Autumn is a transition period for many pests, which may start to appear on your walls, in your windows and throughout various cracks and crevices in your home. On top of providing high-quality exterminator services to rid your home of these pests, allow us to provide you with a few simple facts on fall pests that will help you control them.
Escaping the Cold
Many people don’t realize the simplest reason why some pests invade during the fall: They’re trying to get away from dropping temperatures. And where better to get warm than in your home, which also contains food for them to chase after?
In their natural habitats, pests like boxelder bugs – very common in Utah – will sit on the sunny sides of rocks to warm themselves. They’ll do the same thing on your home, congregating on the north-facing areas. When it gets very cold, they’ll hide under the siding of your home, much like they would under the bark of trees in nature. If they find cracks or other entry points while they do this, though, they’ll happily enter the home. This is the case for several other pest types as well, with varying habits.
Silence of the Pests
One of the biggest reasons why fall pest inspections and exterminations are necessary? Many fall pests will be totally silent and unnoticeable in the home all the way through until spring, even as they leave droppings or otherwise damage your foundation. Lady bugs, for instance, will enter a home and then go into a special form of hibernation, in which they’ll remain until the spring comes – at which time they’ll be an issue. There are several pest types who follow similarly discrete patterns, so you should be aware of them ahead of time and plan for their appearance.
The Pest Ecosystem
Pests are part of the food chain just like all other creatures, and there’s a cycle here that begins in the fall and continues into winter. Some pests that enter the home for warmth don’t have much of a plan after that, and they quickly become prey for larger pests that are also inside. An extermination before this becomes too severe will limit both these pest types from beginning this cycle, which can last all winter.
For more on simple facts about fall and winter pests, or to learn about any of our pest control services, speak to the pros at A-1 Exterminators today.
