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Fall has arrived, and with it comes a wave of unexpected visitors — pests! If you’ve noticed more spiders weaving webs around your home or spotted clusters of Asian lady beetles crawling up walls or gathering in trees, you’re definitely not alone. It’s completely normal to see a spike in pest activity this time of year.
What usually happens is things seem to calm down after a few weeks, and it feels like the pests have disappeared… but they haven’t. They’re just settling into the cozy spots inside your home, hiding out in places like crawl spaces, wall voids, and attics.
Curious where these fall pests like to hide and what you can do to keep them out? Here’s what you should know.
Why Pests Target Hard-to-Reach Areas in Fall
Pests enter homes in the fall because it gets colder outside and harder to find food this time of year. Most pests are naturally drawn to areas where they won’t constantly be in danger, so heavily trafficked areas of your house aren’t going to be a hotbed of pest activity.
Instead, the pests that get inside in the fall will look for spaces that offer warmth, shelter, and protection. These areas are typically located in the parts of your home that are rarely disturbed, making them ideal nesting spots. Pests can enter these areas through small gaps, cracks, or holes and remain hidden for months without you realizing they’re even there.
Common Pests Found in Attics During Fall
Your attic is a common spot for fall pests to choose. Rodents frequent attics, since this space offers insulation to use as a nesting material, warm shelter away from people, and close proximity to a food source.
Other pests that frequently end up in attics are seasonal pests, such as stink bugs, boxelder bugs and Asian lady beetles. These pests overwinter in large groups and return outdoors when the weather heats back up in spring.
Signs of Pest Activity in Your Attic
How can you tell if you have pests in your attic? Other than seeing seasonal pests in your living spaces before they move into your attic, you’re not likely to realize that they’re there. Rodents are a different story. They make themselves known in a variety of ways, including:
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Making scratching, scurrying, or chewing noises overhead
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Leaving droppings scattered across insulation or storage boxes
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Chewing on wires, damaging insulation, and tearing up materials for their nests
What Hides in Crawl Spaces During Cooler Months
From the top of your house down to the bottom, pests can appear anywhere. If you have a crawl space, it’s likely to harbor any of the following pests:
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Spiders- Most spiders prefer the solitude of a crawl space. They’ll build webs in undisturbed corners and along support beams where they won’t be seen.
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Termites- Wood-destroying termites tunnel through wood structures near damp soil. They often get into homes through the crawl space, then cause extreme damage to the wooden structures inside.
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Rodents- Mice and rats can show up at any level of your home. They often enter through foundation cracks and vents, then make themselves at home in secluded corners of your crawl space.
Why Crawl Spaces Attract Pests
Your crawl space may not seem very inviting to you, but it offers several things that attract pests:
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High moisture levels create the perfect conditions for many pests
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Easy access from outdoor entry points make it an ideal nesting site
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The dark, quiet environment allows pests to nest without detection
Pests That Hide in Basements and Storage Areas
The pests that hide in your attic or crawl space can also show up in your basement or other storage areas in your house. So can:
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Silverfish, which thrive in damp basements filled with paper and cardboard
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Crickets and camel crickets, that love to gather in cool, dark spaces
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Cockroaches that nest near water heaters, drains, and laundry areas
How Pests Enter Attics and Crawl Spaces
You may look at your house and see no obvious ways for pests to get inside, but it is surprisingly easy for pests, even bigger ones like rats, to gain access to your crawl space, attic, or even main living areas. All of the following can provide pests with access to your house:
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Gaps around roof vents, soffit vents, and exhaust fans
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Cracks in foundations and openings around utility lines
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Damaged screens, broken vents, and unsealed crawl space doors
The Dangers of Ignoring Hidden Pest Infestations
When pests get into your house, but spend their time out of sight in hard-to-reach areas, you might be tempted to simply ignore them. After all, they’re not really bothering you, so what harm is there in leaving them alone? There’s quite a bit of harm in ignoring them, actually.
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Rodents chew on wires, causing electrical problems, creating fire hazards, and requiring costly repairs.
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Rodents also chew on pipes, causing leaks, flooding, and mold issues.
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Termites weaken wood structures and compromise your home's structural integrity.
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Pest droppings and urine contaminate insulation and create health risks.
How to Inspect Attics and Crawl Spaces for Pests
Although it’s not always easy to get into your attic or crawl space, it’s a good idea to inspect these spaces every now and then, especially if you suspect that pests are present. There are several things to look for when inspecting your attic or crawl space. All-American recommends:
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Looking for droppings, nests, and chewed materials during inspections
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Checking for moisture issues, leaks, and damaged wood
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Listening for unusual sounds during quiet evening hours
Professional Pest Control for Hard-to-Reach Areas
If you see any signs of a pest infestation, you’ll want professional pest control to address the issue, especially in hard-to-reach areas. Do-it-yourself remedies are rarely successful in any area of your home, but they’re especially difficult to implement in parts of your house that you can barely get to.
The benefits of professional pest control are many:
- Technicians can safely access and treat attics and crawl spaces because they have extensive training and experience
- Comprehensive inspections uncover hidden nests and entry points
- Technicians can use professional-grade products that are both effective and family-friendly
Preventing Pests From Hiding in Your Home This Fall
In addition to professional pest control, there are steps you can take to help prevent pests from getting into your house this fall. By making it hard for pests to access the hard-to-reach areas of your house, you can avoid these hidden infestations. All-American recommends:
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Sealing cracks, gaps, and openings around your home's exterior
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Installing vent covers and screens to block pest entry
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Reducing moisture with dehumidifiers and proper drainage
Contact All-American for Professional Fall Pest Control
Don’t let pests make themselves at home in your attic or crawl space this fall. The best way to stay ahead of them is to pair your own prevention efforts with a seasonal perimeter treatment from All-American Pest Control. We’ll take the time to thoroughly inspect your home, make sure unwanted pests haven’t already moved in, and provide the right treatments to clear out any active issues or stop new ones before they start. You can trust us to keep your home protected this fall and all year long. Ready for peace of mind? Schedule your fall pest inspection with All-American Pest Control today.
Dependable Pest Control in Nashville, TN & Nearby Neighborhoods
Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.
We proudly serve: West End Heights, Bellevue, Brick Church, Charlotte Park, 12 South, Belmont, Burton Hills, Donelson, Edgehill, Ensworth, Hillsboro Village, Hillsboro West End, Melrose, Music Row, Radnor, Shelby Park, Sylvan Park, The Nations, Wedgewood Houston, West Nashville, Whites Creek, and the entire Davidson County and Greater Nashville areas.
For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All-American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or Schedule a Free Consultation online.