Why Winter Perimeter Pest Control is Important in Northeast Ohio

In late fall, if you take a quick peek outside from the warmth of your Northeast Ohio home, you might notice the temperatures are getting chilly. 

And as the cold comes in, the insects seem to storm out. In fact, it’s pretty quiet out there. You might actually think you have nothing to worry about when it comes to pests because this cooler weather has chased them all away. No mosquitoes. No bees. No ants. No problem.

Unfortunately, ignoring insect activity at this time of year is NOT the best strategy. While some pests vanish or hibernate during the winter months, there are others that are very tolerant to cooler temperatures. And they take any opportunity to sneak into your warm home to hide, nest, or even make some more of their kind. 

Here are four reasons winter pest control in Northeast OH is important.

Why You Need Pest Control in Winter

Like us, bugs and critters seek warmth and protection from the elements during the winter months. They want to feel safe and cozy. We can all relate.  

Take a look at your home. It’s got some prize amenities that these pests rank as pretty important. 

There are four key justifications for perimeter pest control services in Northeast Ohio. 

1. Winter Temperatures Are Unpredictable

Have you noticed how Northeast Ohio winters can be fairly mild? 

One week, you’re bundling up in layers because temperatures have dropped and winter feels like it’s set in. But by the weekend, you could be shedding those layers and basking in a warmer 50-degree to 60-degree day.

Just as the little bouts of warmer temperatures are a great feeling for you, guess who else really likes  them? You guessed it: bugs. 

Most insects become active at 50 degrees Fahrenheit -- even ants. So when we have a spike in temperatures for even just one day, pests can decide to move around and change up their location. 

Unfortunately, your home looks inviting, which is why you might need perimeter pest control spray. 

2. You Provide a Warm, Safe Home for Pests

Once pests become active and start moving about, they are hunting for a few key things: shelter and warmth. And especially if you have overgrown shrubbery near your home and piles of firewood, pests are hanging out there. 

While you’re basking in that one warm winter day, pests already know that the colder weather is coming back, so they are focusing on finding their next refuge. It’s only a matter of time before they trade in their outdoor digs for a rent-free room in your home. Pests feel the warmth from your heated abode and notice some great hiding places to sneak into. Now they’re quietly building a nest and making your home their home. 

Perimeter pest control spray can stop this from happening. 

3. You Also Supply Free Water and Food

Pests don’t want to work for their food. Do you have any bags of food open and unsealed? Or maybe you leave out pet food or even bird seed? They can smell those delicious morsels a mile away. 

And if your basement is damp and dark, this is also a big draw. First of all, moisture is like leaving the bar tab open for bugs. That darkness draws all kinds of insects. In fact, insects draw other bugs that like to eat them, too. For instance, millipedes like to eat spiders so if you see some of the one type of pest, you likely have some of the other. 

Just one more reason you need perimeter pest control services. 

4. You Don’t Have a Secure Perimeter 

There are some fairly easy tasks you can do to prevent pests from entering your home in the winter. 

First, keep food stored in plastic or metal, sealed containers and clean your home often. Don’t leave trash out. All these things are pest magnets.  

Next, reduce moisture buildup around your home and in storage areas. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your house and regularly prune shrubs and trees near your home. 

Then, seal any cracks and crevices that lead into your home. You can find openings near basement entry points, foundations, window wells, insulation areas, and even around siding. 

If you notice some common pest spots like spiderwebs, be sure to knock down the ones around your windows and doors or siding to prevent them coming inside. 

These steps can take you most of the way there. But why pest control? Because you must maintain the barriers to entry. After all, your home is only as secure as its weakest link. 

If you’ve had bugs, this means not neglecting perimeter pest control services. At Turf Pride, we do five treatments throughout the season that are timed about five to six weeks apart. Our outdoor sprays are targeted around the home perimeter, lasting one to two months. Once that barrier is broken or weakened, it opens your home up to reentry during any season, which is why the regular intervals of treatment are important. 

Perimeter Pest Control Can Save You Big Headaches 

Insects are advantageous and smart. They look for any opportunity to protect themselves and stay alive. 

Luckily, bugs are also looking for easy solutions to their problems. Taking precautions to set yourself up for a pest-free season is a great approach to ensuring they go somewhere else. 

But this can feel like a lot to do when you already have quite a bit on your plate. We understand.
 
If you think you have a pest problem or maybe you’ve tried some of the basic deterrence tips and are still seeing some evidence of pest activity, hiring a pro can help.

A pest control technician will apply a perimeter pest control treatment five times a year to keep insects where they belong: outside. Your pest problem is solved! 

Wondering if you need perimeter pest control services in Northeast Ohio? Get started today with a free quote. We’ll review your options together so you can make a great choice. Then you can just sit back and enjoy your home – pest free.