There are some pests in Gilbert, AZ and the Valley that don’t have trouble surviving winter, and these creatures are capable of damaging your home if left unchecked. The top winter pests to look out for are:

Spiders
Termites
Ants
Cockroaches
Rodents

All of these pests may find their way into your home for various reasons, but the primary ones are food, moisture, and warmth. Others have adapted to survival when temperature is less than ideal.

Spiders

Spiders are indoor pests that are active during the winter and year-round. Most spiders aren’t dangerous and don’t want to be bothered by humans. Spiders generally like enclosed spaces like garages, attics, and closets where it’s dark and out of sight. They enter through impossibly small cracks and crevices in the foundation of your home, gaps under garage and shed doors, cracked or torn windows and screening, or any other small inconspicuous opening. A large majority of homes have spider infestations simply because there are too many entry points around the home to identify and seal. Wintertime is no exception. If you have openings around your home, spiders can enter and survive.

Termites

Termites are a big problem for the residents of Gilbert all year. These wood-destroying insects do not hibernate or die off in the cold. Drywood and subterranean termites have adapted to the generally mild winters in the Valley, causing damage to human made structures wherever they find a food source. They prefer to feast on fallen trees, piles of mulch, decaying wood, and any plant debris they find. Improper moisture control, leaf litter, and direct wood-to-soil contact are all prime conditions that can promote termite activity on your property, often within close proximity to your home. While foraging, worker termites will enter cracks in the foundation of your home, ultimately leading them to the wood within the structure.

Ants

Ants are less active during the winter, and they often hibernate underground when temperatures aren’t warm enough for them. Instead of hiding underground, some ants will invade heated homes during the winter. The warmth they find inside of a home is enough to invigorate them and stimulate their need to forage. Ants frequently gravitate towards sweet foods left on surfaces or the floor, but any food spills will attract them as well. The first step to start getting rid of ants is to clean the surfaces in your home and seal up food containers, so no food sources are available to the ants.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are more prevalent during the summer in the Valley, but the warmth of your home in the winter can give life to these nearly indestructible pests. Cockroaches are carriers of specific pathogens such as streptococcus, salmonella, and Staphylococcus. This is not only dangerous to your consumable goods but can also trigger allergic reactions from simply coexisting with you in your home. The American cockroach, which is highly present in the Gilbert, AZ area, prefers to live between 70°-85°F and do not survive if the temperatures drop below 15°F. Unless you live in a freezer, your heated winter home is susceptible to cockroach infestations.

Rodents

Rodents are common pests that you’ll find in the Valley. Mice seek out food, water, and shelter to live. When they find all of these elements in your home, they’ll stay. Food sources can range from fallen crumbs to cereal in cardboard boxes. Frequently mice and rats find their way into your house in search of warmth, water, and food. These tiny animals will find a way into your home through any little crack or crevice, and even if you eliminate their food sources, they may still make their way inside to get warm. Mice are sensitive to temperature changes and run to shelter once the weather takes a slightly cooler turn. Even though fall and winter are prone to heavy rodent activity indoors, you can get a mouse infestation at any time of year.

How does SOS Exterminating prevent winter pests?

If you suspect that you have pests in your home this winter, you should call SOS Exterminating as soon as possible. The quicker you give us a call, the sooner we can stop the infestation from getting out of hand. SOS Exterminating offers the best pest control Gilbert, AZ, has to offer, and we provide a full range of services that includes full home solutions such as attic insulation and weed control. SOS Exterminating also treats bees, bed bugs, gophers, mosquitos, and scorpions. Call us today to see how we can create a customized plan for your pest problem.