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It’s pretty common for people to assume pest control isn’t needed in the winter. We hear it all the time. While it feels like everything slows down once the temperatures drop, many pests don’t just disappear. Instead, they head indoors where it’s warm, and Middle Tennessee homes make the perfect winter getaway. In this quick guide from All-American Pest Control, we’ll walk you through the sneaky cold-weather pests that stay active and why winter treatments still matter.
Do Pests Really Stay Active During Cold Weather?
A surprising number of pests can survive the cold. While some burrow deep underground and become less active until spring, many others remain quite active through the winter because they move into warm homes, just like yours.
Mice, rats, cockroaches, spiders, termites, and ants can move inside and cause problems around your house all winter. Other pests, like stink bugs, boxelder bugs, and Asian lady beetles, move inside homes in the fall and overwinter in wall voids or attic spaces.
Most of us like to think winter gives us a break from worrying about pests, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case. When the weather turns cold, many pests start looking for a warm, cozy place to settle in… and our homes often make the perfect spot. Staying aware during the winter months can save you from unexpected headaches (and expenses) down the road.
Why Are Indoor Infestations Harder to Notice in Winter?
You’d think that in the winter, when you’re spending much more time inside, it would be easier to identify a pest infestation, but that’s not always the case. Many of the pests that get indoors in the winter stay out of sight. They either find a place to overwinter that’s out of the way, they build their nests in storage spaces that you rarely enter, or they stay active in your walls completely out of sight.
You’re also less likely to actively look for signs of a pest infestation in the winter if you’re not thinking about pests. If you’ve always thought that pests don’t infest homes in the winter, then you won’t have any reason to look for nests, droppings, chew marks, or other signs of pest activity.
The tricky thing about winter pests is that they often go unnoticed. If they settle in without you realizing it, they can quietly grow in number and cause more damage over time. By the time spring rolls around, a small winter problem can turn into a full-blown infestation and with it, some expensive repairs.
What Kinds of Damage Can Winter Pests Cause?
Winter pests can create more trouble around your home than you might expect. Whether it’s minor damage to your belongings or something more serious like harm to your home’s structure, it’s best not to wait and see what happens. Here are a few common issues these unwelcome guests can cause:
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Damage to books, magazines, and other paper products by silverfish or cockroaches.
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Rodents or ants could damage electrical wires and cause fire hazards.
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Rodents damage insulation by using it for nesting or by contaminating it with droppings and urine.
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Cockroaches and rodents contaminating food and surfaces.
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Rodents causing leaks and flooding by damaging pipes and HVAC systems by chewing or clogging vents with nesting materials.
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Termites and carpenter ants damaging structural wood.
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All pests damaging stored items, belongings, and food with nests or droppings.
Can Winter Pests Affect Your Health?
In addition to the property damage they cause, pests can also be bad for your health. Almost any pest that gets into your home has the ability to contaminate your food, but ants, cockroaches, and rodents are especially dangerous in this regard. You can contract many illnesses from these pests, including:
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Salmonellosis
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Leptospirosis
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E. coli
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Hantavirus
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Listeria
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Cholera
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Rat bite fever
Additionally, many people are allergic to the shed skins, droppings, and saliva of cockroaches. If cockroaches get into your house, they can trigger both allergy and asthma symptoms, especially in children.
Is Winter Pest Control More Affordable Than Spring Repairs?
The thing about pest control is that it works best before pests show up. A preventative treatment stops pests from getting inside and saves you from having to deal with an infestation and all of the problems it causes. However, if you’ve discovered pests in your house this winter and are wondering if you should just ignore them until spring, we don’t recommend that.
Getting rid of an infestation now, while it is still small, is far easier than after months when it has had time to grow. Furthermore, eliminating the infestation as soon as possible minimizes the damage that pests can cause and the illnesses they can spread. Being proactive about pests is always the best choice, easier, and less costly than dealing with a full-blown infestation.
What Should Homeowners Be Doing in Winter to Stay Protected?
Protecting your house from pests this winter doesn’t have to be difficult. By putting some good preventative measures into place and implementing routine pest control, you can avoid a pest infestation this winter. All-American Pest Control offers the pest protection you need and we recommend the following DIY preventative measures:
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Seal up cracks and openings around the exterior of your home, especially near the foundation.
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Repairs gaps or install weatherstripping around doors and windows.
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Reduce moisture inside and outside your house.
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Keep your yard and landscaping well-maintained.
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Keep your kitchen clean, store food in airtight containers, and take out your trash often.
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Reduce clutter in attics and basements where pests love to hide.
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Keep firewood and garbage bins at least 20 feet away from the home and off the ground.
When Should You Call a Pest Expert?
DIY preventative measures can greatly reduce your chance of ending up with pests in your home, but it’s wise to get professional pest control as an added measure. With perimeter pest control from All-American Pest Control, you can enjoy a pest-free winter.
Along with being proactive here are a few other reasons to contact us. If you’re:
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Seeing droppings or noticing a urine smell
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Finding gnawed wires, cardboard, or food packaging
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Hearing scratching or movement in walls or ceilings
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Seeing live rodents or roaches
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Finding nesting materials
Call All-American Pest Control for Winter Pest Control You Can Count On
Don’t give pests a cozy place to wait out the cold this winter. To protect your home and family, schedule your winter pest control service 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.