Idaho can become quite cold during the winter months. Although people take shelter in their homes where there is warmth, pests such as spiders and rodents do not have the same option. Or do they? It is not uncommon for homeowners to see more pest activity once the temperatures start to drop, which can suddenly make a cozy space seem less so. Below, our Nampa pest control experts explain why you may see an uptick in the number of pests in your home, and how you can eliminate them and take your home back once and for all.
Spiders Look for Food Indoors
Truthfully, if you notice that you have more spiders in your home during the winter months, there is a good chance they were there all along and you just did not notice. Outdoor spiders may make their way inside your home occasionally, but it is probably not because they are seeking warmth.
Spiders are cold-blooded creatures and so, they do not feel the cold of the winter months in the same way humans do. Some spiders will remain active all winter long, continuing to hunt and feed outside, while others will enter hibernation. Certain species of spiders will find shelter outside, such as a pile of rocks or a hollowed out log, and simply rest there all winter until the temperatures begin to rise. Others will enter a state of light hibernation known as diapause. Either way, if they do make their way into your home, it is likely not because they are cold.
Instead, the spiders that do make their way into your home are likely looking for food. In addition to fewer spiders being seen outdoors in the winter months, there are also fewer flying insects, one of the main food sources of spiders. Left without a food source outside, these spiders will come inside looking for something to eat. People dealing with a fruit fly, drain fly, or gnat fly infestation may find that they have to contend with more spiders in the home, as these all provide a food source for spiders.
Rodents Have Many Reasons for Moving Inside in Winter
Unlike spiders, rodents such as mice do enter homes in the winter in search of warmth. As warm-blooded creatures, rodents want to escape the cold and blustery winter months just like humans. To add to this, there are also certain conditions during this time of year that make it easier for them to invade.
One of the main conditions that cause mice infestations to develop or become worse during the winter months is the cold itself. During the winter months, the materials used to build a home lose moisture and shrink. This can cause holes and cracks in walls. Drywall, in particular, is especially known for cracking during the winter months. That being said, any part of the home may begin to crack and show holes, and this becomes a greater problem when the exterior walls of the home are affected.
Rodents will take advantage of this, as mice can fit through holes as small as a dime. Their bodies are very soft and are primarily made of cartilage and flexible bones. As such, they can wiggle and move through just about any space, especially when they have incentive to do so.
While rodents will infest a home looking for warmth during the winter months, the people within the home may unknowingly make that space more attractive. Another main factor that brings rodents into the home is food. Like all animals, rodents need food and humans sometimes inadvertently provide it to them. Food left out on counters, crumbs on the floor, and even food in the pantry or cupboards can bring in rodents if it is not properly stored. Additionally, when garbage is not stored properly, that also acts as a food source that can bring rodents into a space.
Lastly, rodents will also look for water in the winter months. While the puddles may have dried up and other water sources may freeze over, homeowners still sometimes have leaks around their home, such as leaky drains and pipes. Although these may seem like small nuisances to a homeowner, they can provide all the water a rodent colony needs, so it is important to repair them as soon as possible.
Our Pest Control Experts in Nampa Can Eliminate Spiders and Rodents
Regardless of the reason spiders and rodents have entered your space, your biggest priority is likely getting rid of them. At Armis Pest Management, our Nampa pest control experts can eliminate an infestation so you can enjoy your space to the fullest once again. Call us today at 208-650-7378 or fill out our online form to schedule a free, no obligation inspection.
