Rid-a-Bug Exterminating Blog

1. Rodents like Mice and Rats

The first pests on our list are rodents, particularly mice and rats. Rodents are highly adaptable creatures that have an uncanny ability to find ways into your home during the winter months. The colder it gets outside, the more likely you are to have a furry visitor attempting to make your home its own.

Mice and rats are a significant problem during winter because they seek warmth, food, and shelter. They are notorious for their ability to squeeze through tiny openings and cracks that might not even seem accessible to them. Even a hole the size of a nickel can be large enough for a mouse to enter your home.

Signs of a Rodent Infestation

• Droppings: Mice and rat droppings are among the most common indicators of an infestation. Droppings are typically found in pantries, cupboards, under sinks, in corners, and in other areas where food is stored. Rodent droppings can be a health hazard, so it's important to handle them carefully and clean the area thoroughly.
• Noises: You may hear scratching, scurrying, or gnawing noises, especially at night when rodents are most active. These sounds may come from inside walls, ceilings, attics, or under floorboards.
• Gnaw Marks: Rodents will chew on wires, wood, insulation, and other materials to build their nests or sharpen their teeth. You may find gnaw marks on food packaging, wooden structures, or wiring, which is particularly dangerous as it can increase the risk of electrical fires.
• Nests: Rodents create nests from shredded paper, fabric, and other soft materials. You may find these nests in secluded areas, such as attics, basements, or behind appliances.

Rodent Health Risks and Property Damage

Rodents pose a significant health risk as they can carry diseases like hantavirus, leptospirosis, and salmonella. Rodents can also transmit fleas, mites, and ticks, which can cause additional health problems for both humans and pets. 

In addition, they can cause severe property damage by chewing on electrical wires, insulation, drywall, and even plumbing, which can increase the risk of fires and water damage.

Tips for Preventing a Rodent Infestation

• Seal Entry Points: Seal any cracks and gaps around your home’s foundation, windows, doors, pipes, and vents. Use steel wool, caulk, and expandable foam to seal holes, as rodents are known to chew through less durable materials.
• Store Food in Airtight Containers: Store food in airtight containers and keep kitchens clean by wiping down countertops and sweeping floors regularly. Don't forget to store pet food securely as well.
• Keep Outdoor Areas Tidy: Trim back vegetation from your home's exterior and keep garbage in tightly sealed bins. Remove piles of leaves, debris, and wood, which can serve as nesting sites.
• Use Traps or Contact Pest Control: Use traps or contact pest control services if you suspect a rodent problem. Place traps along walls, behind appliances, and in other areas where you’ve noticed activity. Be sure to check traps frequently.

2. Cockroaches

Cockroaches are hardy pests that can survive a wide range of conditions, including winter. In the Carolinas and southern Virginia, cockroaches are a common winter pest, as they often migrate indoors in search of warmth and food. German cockroaches thrive indoors during the colder months.

Where Cockroaches Hide

Cockroaches love warm, humid environments, and they are often found in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms. They hide in cracks, crevices, and behind appliances, and they come out at night to forage for food and water. You may also find them behind cabinets, under sinks, in pantries, and near water heaters.

Health Concerns Associated with Cockroaches

Cockroaches are not only unsightly but also a major health concern. They can carry bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella, which can contaminate surfaces and food. Their droppings, saliva, and shed skin can trigger allergies and asthma, particularly in children and elderly individuals. Cockroaches are known to spread pathogens that can lead to food poisoning, dysentery, and other health issues.

Preventing a Cockroach Infestation

• Eliminate Food Sources: Keep your kitchen clean by washing dishes promptly, wiping down countertops, and sweeping floors. Store all food in sealed containers, including pet food.
• Seal Entry Points: Close gaps around windows, doors, pipes, and other entry points. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal off access points, especially around plumbing and wiring.
• Reduce Moisture: Fix leaky pipes, faucets, and other sources of water. Reduce humidity in areas like bathrooms and basements by using dehumidifiers and ensuring proper ventilation. Cockroaches need water to survive, so eliminating moisture can make your home less attractive to them.
• Remove Hiding Places: Declutter your home, especially storage areas where cockroaches may hide. Cardboard boxes, newspapers, and paper bags can provide excellent hiding spots for cockroaches.

3. Spiders

Spiders are another pest that people often encounter indoors during winter. While most spiders are harmless, they can still be a nuisance. In the Carolinas and southern Virginia, the most common winter-invading spiders include house spiders, wolf spiders, and occasionally the more dangerous black widow.

Why Spiders Come Inside

Spiders enter homes during the winter in search of warmth and food. They are particularly attracted to homes where other pests are present since these pests serve as their primary food source. Spiders can often be found in basements, attics, closets, and less-frequented areas of the home. They build webs in corners, behind furniture, and in dark, quiet areas.

How to Keep Spiders Outside

• Declutter: Reduce clutter in basements, attics, and closets to remove hiding places for spiders. Boxes, piles of clothing, and stacked papers are perfect hiding spots for these arachnids.
• Use Sealing Techniques: Seal cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and other entry points. Installing weatherstripping and using caulk can prevent spiders from finding their way indoors.
• Reduce Other Pests: Minimizing the presence of other insects in your home will help reduce the number of spiders. Spiders are natural predators and feed on other bugs, so controlling the population of flies, ants, and other pests can decrease spider activity.
• Vacuum Regularly: Regular vacuuming can help remove spider webs, egg sacs, and any spiders that may be hiding around your home. Pay special attention to corners, under furniture, and along baseboards.
• Install Screens: Make sure all windows, doors, and vents have intact screens to keep spiders out.

4. Silverfish

Silverfish are small, wingless insects that are often found in damp, dark areas of the home. They are drawn to moisture, making basements, bathrooms, and kitchens ideal habitats. While they don’t pose direct health risks, silverfish can be a nuisance due to their destructive feeding habits.

Silverfish Can Damage Some Household Items

Silverfish feed on starchy materials, which include paper, books, wallpaper, glue, and even clothing. They can ruin cherished items like books, photographs, and clothing if left unchecked. In addition to paper products, they may also chew on upholstered furniture, cardboard, and even dry food products such as cereal or flour.

How to Prevent Silverfish from Entering Your Home

• Reduce Humidity: Use dehumidifiers in damp areas of the home to reduce moisture levels. Make sure bathrooms, kitchens, and basements are well-ventilated to prevent moisture buildup.
• Store Items Properly: Keep books, papers, photographs, and clothing in dry areas or airtight containers. Store food in sealed containers to prevent silverfish from gaining access.
• Seal Entry Points: Silverfish can enter homes through gaps and cracks, so sealing these entry points can help keep them out. Inspect the exterior of your home and seal any openings, particularly around utility pipes and vents.
• Remove Food Sources: Silverfish feed on starches and sugars, so minimizing available food sources can help deter them. Clean up spills, crumbs, and food particles, and avoid leaving out pet food overnight.
• Declutter Storage Areas: Silverfish often hide in dark, cluttered areas, so reducing clutter in basements, attics, and closets can help minimize their hiding spots.

5. Termites

Many people assume termites only cause problems during the warmer months, but subterranean termites can still be active during the winter. Termites may move deeper into the soil to escape the cold, but if they have already established a colony in your home, they can remain active year-round.

Termites Are Exceptionally Dangerous to Your Home

Termites are often called silent destroyers because they can cause significant damage to the structure of a home without being detected. They feed on wood, paper, and other cellulose materials, which can compromise the integrity of your home's structure. The damage they cause can be costly and, if left untreated, can threaten the safety of the home.

Signs of a Termite Infestation

• Mud Tubes: Termites build mud tubes to travel between their colony and food sources. These tubes protect them from predators and help maintain moisture levels.
• Hollow-Sounding Wood: Tapping on wood that has been infested by termites may produce a hollow sound, indicating internal damage.
• Discarded Wings: Termites shed their wings after swarming, and these wings can often be found near windowsills or entry points. Swarming typically occurs when termites are seeking to establish new colonies.
• Frass: Termites may leave behind frass, which is their excrement. It resembles small piles of sawdust and can be found near wooden structures.

Prevent Termite Infestations

• Reduce Moisture: Make sure there is proper drainage around your home’s foundation. Repair any leaky faucets, pipes, or downspouts to minimize moisture that could attract termites.
• Store Firewood Away from Home: Keep firewood and other wood materials at least 20 feet away from your house and elevate it off the ground. Firewood stacked too close to your home can attract termites and make it easier for them to enter.
• Get Regular Inspections: Professional pest control inspections can help detect termite activity before it becomes a major issue. Consider scheduling annual termite inspections to catch infestations early.
• Use Termite Barriers: Consider using termite barriers or applying a preventative treatment around your home's foundation. This can help keep termites from gaining entry.
• Remove Dead Wood: Remove dead trees, stumps, and wood debris from your property to reduce termite attractants.

6. Ants

Ants may seem like a spring or summer problem, but certain species, like carpenter ants, can be active indoors during winter. Carpenter ants are particularly problematic because they can cause damage to the wood within your home, similar to termites.

Signs Your Home Has Carpenter Ants

• Wood Shavings: Carpenter ants do not eat wood but excavate it to create their nests, leaving behind wood shavings, often called "frass." These wood shavings can be found near baseboards, window sills, or other wooden structures.
• Rustling Noises: You may hear faint rustling sounds coming from walls, particularly at night. Carpenter ants are nocturnal and may be more active during the evening hours.
• Sightings: Carpenter ants are larger than most other ant species and can often be spotted near windows, doors, or other entry points. They may also be seen foraging for food in the kitchen or pantry.

Prevent Ant Infestations

• Eliminate Moisture: Carpenter ants are attracted to moist wood, so repairing leaks, removing wet or damaged wood, and reducing moisture are essential to preventing them from making your home their home. Make sure that crawl spaces, attics, and basements are well-ventilated to prevent moisture buildup.
• Seal Entry Points: Close off potential entryways, especially around windows, doors, utility pipes, and foundation cracks. Use caulk to fill in gaps and holes to prevent ants from entering.
• Store Food Properly: Keep food in sealed containers and clean up spills promptly. Sweep floors, wipe down countertops, and ensure garbage is kept in a sealed container. Ants are attracted to food sources, so maintaining a clean environment will reduce their interest in your home.
• Trim Vegetation: Ants often use trees, shrubs, and other vegetation as bridges to enter your home. Trim back branches and plants that are in direct contact with your house.
• Eliminate Trails: Ants leave behind pheromone trails to lead others to food sources. Use soap and water to wipe down surfaces where ants have been seen to disrupt these trails.

7. Stink Bugs

Stink bugs are notorious for invading homes during the colder months. In the Carolinas and southern Virginia, these pests often enter homes in late fall and early winter as they seek warmth. Stink bugs are more of a nuisance than a threat, but their odor can be unpleasant if they are squished or disturbed.

Signs of a Stink Bug Infestation

• Sightings: Stink bugs are easy to identify due to their shield-shaped bodies. They are usually brown or green, with a distinct pattern on their backs.
• Congregation Near Light: Stink bugs are often attracted to light and may gather near windows or light fixtures. You may notice them clustering around sunny windows during the day.
• Overwintering Behavior: Stink bugs will enter homes to overwinter, often hiding in wall voids, attics, or other secluded areas. During warm winter days, they may become active and be seen crawling on walls or ceilings.

Prevent Stink Bugs from Showing Up in Your Home

• Seal Cracks and Gaps: Seal off any gaps around windows, doors, and the foundation. Inspect the exterior of your home for any openings and use caulk, weatherstripping, or expanding foam to seal them.
• Reduce Attractants: Keep outdoor lighting to a minimum during the evening, as stink bugs are attracted to lights. Use yellow or sodium vapor bulbs, which are less attractive to insects.
• Use Screens: Make sure window screens are in good repair to keep stink bugs out. Consider adding door sweeps to exterior doors to prevent entry.
• Vacuuming: If stink bugs do get inside, vacuuming them is an effective way to remove them. Avoid squishing stink bugs, as they will release an unpleasant odor.
• Remove Potential Food Sources: Stink bugs are attracted to gardens and fruit trees. Harvest fruits and vegetables promptly, and remove any fallen produce from the ground to reduce attractants.

8. Ladybugs (Asian Lady Beetles)

Ladybugs, especially the Asian lady beetle, can become a nuisance in homes during the winter. Unlike their more welcome garden counterparts, these beetles can enter homes in large numbers and become a problem when they congregate in attics, windows, and other areas.

Why Ladybugs Invade Your Home

Ladybugs seek out warm places to overwinter and may end up inside homes in the process. Once inside, they can leave behind a yellowish secretion that stains surfaces and produces an unpleasant odor. They are attracted to light-colored surfaces, such as walls, windows, and siding, where they gather in large numbers.

Prevent Ladybug Infestations

• Vacuuming: One of the easiest ways to remove ladybugs is by vacuuming them up. Use a vacuum with a hose attachment to carefully collect the beetles. Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag promptly to prevent them from escaping.
• Seal Entry Points: Prevent entry by sealing cracks and gaps around windows, doors, siding, and vents. Use caulk, weatherstripping, and mesh to seal these areas thoroughly.
• Use Light Traps: Consider using light traps to attract and capture ladybugs. These traps are particularly effective for catching beetles that have already entered your home.
• Minimize Outdoor Attractants: Ladybugs are often attracted to gardens and agricultural fields. Minimize plant debris and consider planting trees or shrubs that are less attractive to ladybugs near the home.

9. Cluster Flies

Cluster flies are a common nuisance during the winter. They enter homes in the fall and become active when the weather warms up, often buzzing around windows. While they are not harmful, they can be a significant annoyance due to their loud buzzing and tendency to gather in large numbers.

Where Flies Hide in Your Home

Cluster flies often hide in attics, wall voids, and other secluded areas. They are attracted to warmth and light, which is why they are often found around windows on sunny winter days. They can also gather in dark, warm places such as crawl spaces and unused rooms.

Steps to Prevent Cluster Fly Problems

• Seal Entry Points: Ensure that windows, doors, and vents are properly sealed. Inspect for any cracks or openings that may allow flies to enter.
• Use Screens: Install or repair screens to prevent flies from getting inside. Be sure to check attic vents, chimney caps, and exhaust vents.
• Use Fly Traps: Consider placing fly traps near windows or other areas where cluster flies tend to gather. Sticky traps or light-based traps can be effective in reducing their numbers.
• Vacuuming: If cluster flies become active indoors, vacuuming them is an effective way to remove them without leaving behind residue or odor.

10. Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are one of the most dreaded pests that can invade your home during winter. These small, flat, reddish-brown insects are notorious for their ability to hide in tiny crevices and come out at night to feed on human blood. Bed bugs do not cause structural damage, but their bites can cause itchy welts, discomfort, and anxiety.

Why Bed Bugs Are a Problem During Winter

Bed bugs are often brought into homes unknowingly, hitchhiking on luggage, clothing, or used furniture. During the winter, people tend to travel more for holidays, increasing the chances of bringing bed bugs home. Once inside, bed bugs can be difficult to eradicate, as they are skilled at hiding in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and even electrical outlets.

Stop Bed Bug Infestations

• Vacuuming: Vacuuming is one of the most effective ways to manage bed bugs. Use a vacuum with a hose attachment to carefully vacuum mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and other areas where bed bugs may be hiding. Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag or contents promptly to prevent reinfestation.
• Encase Mattresses and Box Springs: Use bed bug-proof encasements on mattresses and box springs to prevent bed bugs from hiding in these areas. Encasements can trap any existing bed bugs and make it easier to spot new infestations.
• Heat Treatment: Bed bugs are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Washing bedding, clothing, and other affected items in hot water and drying them on high heat can help kill bed bugs and their eggs. Steam cleaning can also be effective for treating upholstered furniture and mattresses.
• Professional Pest Control: Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eliminate, and professional pest control services are often necessary. A pest control expert can apply specialized treatments and provide advice on how to prevent future infestations.

Rid-A-Bug Exterminating Pest Control Services During Winter

Winter pests can cause significant disruptions to your comfort and peace of mind. Whether it’s rodents chewing on wires, cockroaches contaminating food, or spiders lurking in dark corners, winter pests are more than just an inconvenience—they can be a real threat to your home and health. Fortunately, Rid-A-Bug Exterminating is here to help.

At Rid-A-Bug Exterminating, we understand the unique pest control challenges that winter brings in the Carolinas and southern Virginia. Our team of experienced pest control professionals can provide customized solutions to eliminate pests and prevent them from coming back. From sealing entry points to setting traps, we use a comprehensive approach to keep your home pest-free.

Why Choose Rid-A-Bug Exterminating?

• Local Expertise: We know the pests that are common in our area and how to effectively control them.
• Comprehensive Services: Whether you have rodents, insects, or spiders, we have the expertise to deal with a wide range of pests.
• Integrated Pest Management: We utilize eco-friendly pest control techniques to protect good insects like bees.
• Preventative Solutions: We don’t just eliminate pests—we also help prevent future infestations by identifying and addressing the root causes of pest problems.
• Safe and Environmentally Friendly Practices: We use safe and environmentally friendly pest control methods to ensure your family and pets are protected.
• Year-Round Protection: Pests don’t take a break, and neither do we. Our year-round pest control services can help you keep your home safe no matter the season.

Contact Rid-A-Bug Today for Winter Pest Control

Don’t let winter pests take over your home. If you’re dealing with unwanted guests or want to make sure your home is protected, contact Rid-A-Bug Exterminating today. 

Our expert technicians are ready to help you reclaim your home from winter pests and ensure your comfort all season long. Give us a call to schedule your pest control service. Let us help you keep your home pest-free, even in the dead of winter.