Shielding Your Home From Pesky Winter Intruders

While some pests might seem harmless or even helpful by feeding on other insects, their presence can become a major issue as the weather turns cold. From the threat of food contamination to structural damage or disease transmission, winter pests pose risks that should not be ignored. Fortunately, Brooks Pest Solutions can help you keep your home protected from pests this winter and throughout the year.

Let’s explore why these critters invade, the risks they pose, and the effective methods Brooks Pest Solutions employs to keep your household in its best health.

Do I Need Pest Control in the Winter?

Yes! While winter may slow down some pests, it also encourages others to invade your home. Common winter pests, such as rodents, cockroaches, and box-elder bugs, seek out warm, food-rich environments with water and shelter, all of which can be found in your home.

Roaches Come Indoors When It’s Cold

Cockroaches are among the hardiest pests around. Their resilience allows them to survive in harsh conditions, and their small size and stealthy habits make them difficult to detect. When the cold sets in, cockroaches move indoors through even the smallest crevices in search of food.

These pests are masters of concealment, hiding in dark, damp spaces such as behind appliances, under sinks, and inside wall voids. This can make it difficult to eradicate them without professional help, as where there is one roach, there are likely dozens more hiding nearby.

Mice, Rats, and Wintertime Rodent Control

Unlike some mammals, mice and rats don’t hibernate in winter. Instead, they remain active year-round, scavenging for food and shelter wherever they can find it. With outdoor resources limited in the colder months, your home’s likely to be their next target.

Once inside, rodents can wreak havoc fast. They gnaw through walls, wires, and insulation, causing costly structural damage and even creating fire hazards. Rodents are also notorious for contaminating food and spreading diseases through their droppings.

Because mice and rats can squeeze through gaps as small as a dime or even travel through your home’s pipes, seal every potential entry point. A thorough inspection by Brooks Pest Solutions can help identify and secure these vulnerabilities.

Silverfish Sightings in the Winter

Silverfish remain active during the winter, as they thrive in dark, damp, and cool environments—often found in basements, attics, and bathrooms.

While silverfish don’t bite or pose direct health risks, they can cause lasting damage to your linens and furniture. These small pests feed on starchy materials, such as books, wallpaper, and clothing, and can cause extensive deterioration throughout your home if left unchecked.

Brooks helps keep them away by addressing moisture issues and creating a protective chemical barrier around your home, so silverfish stay out, even during the coldest months of the year.

Box-Elder Bugs and Your Home’s Heater

Box-elder bugs exhibit a unique behavior in winter. They gather in groups, remaining largely dormant to conserve energy in dark, secluded spaces like your home’s siding. While, yet again, this is not true hibernation, this state does allow them to survive until warmer weather returns.

The problem arises when they’re fooled by the warmth of your home’s heating system. Thinking spring has arrived, they become active and emerge en masse, often creating a startling nuisance indoors.

Killing box-elder bugs inside can worsen the problem, as their secretions attract more pests and leave unpleasant odors. The best approach is prevention—seal gaps and crevices before winter begins to keep them out. If you’re already experiencing issues, Brooks Pest Solutions will perform a thorough inspection and provide targeted solutions to eliminate and deter box-elder bugs.

How To Get Rid of Pests With Brooks Pest Solutions

While DIY methods may help mitigate pest problems, professional pest control keeps your entire home protected from winter pests. Using targeted traps, perimeter sprays, and years of experience, we address current issues and prevent future ones.

Regular pest control appointments are the best way to experience year-round protection. Contact us today to schedule your free winter pest control quote!