An Educational Journal compliments of Canada's Pest Control Professionals
Pests around your home in Winter
This is the time of the year when fewer pests are seen outdoors, but also the time when pests want to be inside your home for warmth and nearby food.
The following pest information may apply to your own home and property
Photo
Pest
Preventative Action
Seasonl Tips
Rodents - Common rodent pests include ice, rats and squirrels. Rodent pests are significant because they cause extensive damage to stored food, materials, and structures. They are considered a fire hazard as they often chew on wires. They sometimes act as disease vectors for a variety of pathogens. They are usually found among stored food, in wall voids, in attics & basements, and on the outside perimeter of your house.
Install physical barriers, eliminate food and water, remove nesting sites and inspect incoming boxes.
Now is the time for winter pruning of trees. Proper pruning works to establish a consistent growth pattern and appearance to the entire landscape site. You restore the natural structure of the tree and shrubs by removing crossing, distorted, diseased or damaged branches. Thinning helps to reduce insect and disease pressures.
Do not allow pet food to sit out overnight. As their normal foods are not available, rodents are looking for new food sources.
The non-evergreen trees are bare or close to it. Make sure no leaves are piled up next to the structure. These piles invite pests to nest close to your home.
A common entry point for mice and rats is under the garage door. Double check to make sure the door is sealed to prevent rodents from entering.
Be careful where you place any mistletoe, all parts of mistletoe are toxic and may cause poisoning in children.
Tune-up your Lawn Mower. Note: before doing any work on a lawn mower, disconnect the spark plug wire to prevent the lawn mower from starting accidentally.
Replace air filters in furnace/air conditioning systems.
Cockroaches - There are 5 significant species of cockroach; American, Oriental, German, Brown-banded, and Common Wood cockroaches. They are attracted to food, water, warmth and shelter, and are most active at night. Cockroaches pose a health hazard due to their ability to transmit disease including Salmonella bacteria, and other viruses. Cockroaches also produce allergens and may irritate people suffering with asthma.
Clean up spilled foods and water; eliminate harbourage & pathway areas by sealing or screening; repair leaks & increase ventilation.
Clothes Moth - There are two types of clothes moths (case making and webbing) that may cause serious damage to materials of animal origin such as feathers, wool, furs, and piano felts. Adult moths are poor fliers and avoid light. An infestation may be recognized by the presence of holes in fabric and/or silken tubes in the hidden portions of clothes such as under collars.
Regularly inspect clothing, carpets and other materials made of natural fibres; Regularly clean garments made of natural fibres.
Carpet Beetles - The carpet beetle is a very common insect in homes. The larvae of carpet beetles may cause serious damage to materials of animal origin such as wool, fur, hair and feathers. Carpet beetles also feed on dead insects and are often found in homes that have had cluster-fly infestations.
Regular inspection of fabrics of the home for holes and damage; frequent house- keeping; vacuum dead insects.
Stored Product Pests - Common stored product pests in homes include weevils, grain beetles, Indian meal moths, and flour beetles. They are found in dried products such as dried fruits, spices, flour, dried flowers, grain, cereal, pet foods and birdseed.
Inspect food and packaging entering the home & store foodstuffs in cupboards in sealed plastic containers.
Silverfish - Silverfish are flat, slender, wingless insects with a silvery scale covered body. They are nocturnal and can commonly be found in damp, warm areas of attics, basements, bathrooms, wall voids, sub-floor areas, and cracks or crevices.
Clean around all areas where dark, humid conditions exist; insulate sweating pipes; repair water leaks; & dehumidify areas of excess moisture.
Winter Pest
