COMMON FALL PESTS FOUND IN CONNECTICUT HOMES AND HOW TO KEEP THEM OUT
Where do all these fall pests come from? As you are reading this you might be wondering the same thing as spotting insects in your Connecticut home becomes more common. It’s not your imagination, there are many more bugs on the move in the fall than in the summer. This is due to the change in seasons which causes bugs to retreat from their summer hiding places and search out warmer digs. Let's take a look at some of the different insects you may find in your home this time of year.
ASIAN LADY BEETLE
From a distance, this small little beetle might look like a pretty ladybug but it’s not. Asian lady beetles are harmless but can become a nuisance in the fall when they gather on the sides of buildings in preparation for their annual exodus. If your doors or windows are not properly sealed, they can find their way into your home. The irony is that Asian lady beetles were imported to the United States to help with destructive agricultural pests but their populations have exploded. They may be helpful on the farm but they are definitely a pest inside your home.
BOXELDER BUGS
Boxelder bugs are elongated black beetles with a stripe of red down their sides. They look scary but they are harmless to humans. Boxelder bugs spend the summer months in box elder trees where they feed. When their instincts tell them that the seasons are changing they climb down from their trees and look for a warm cozy place to spend the winter.
RODENTS
It’s not just insects that can cause you problems in the fall and winter. Fall rodents are bigger and more destructive than any fall insect. Mice, rats, and squirrels will all be fighting for a spot in your attic and crawl spaces. Rodents can chew through screens, wood, cardboard, insulation, and even drywall. They can make quite a mess in your walls and their waste and urine can cause allergies and spread diseases.
FALL IS TIME TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM INVADING PESTS
Pests are knocking down your door trying to get in this winter but you can defend your home from the invading enemies. Here are a few ways you can help protect your Connecticut home from these invading pests.
Clean Your Gutters
Gutters are designed to move water away from your home in order to protect your foundation. In the fall, gutters can become clogged with leaves and debris. This can create a dam that prevents water from draining properly. Standing water is a big no-no when it comes to pest control. Not only can it attract water-loving pests like mosquitoes and gnats, but it can also be a nice home for rodents who will have easy access to your roof. Make sure you keep your gutters clear and the water is flowing properly.
Move Debris Away From Your Foundation
Pest loves to overwinter in piles of leaves, debris, dead trees, rotting stumps, and woodpiles. This is why we always encourage you to rake your yard and pick up everything off of your grass. Keep piles of leaves away from the foundation of your home. When it comes to firewood, keep it stored at least twenty feet from your home. If you are bringing wood into your home to burn, then place it directly on the fire -- do not store it in your house! When insects living in the wood notice that the outside temperature has changed, they will disembark their woody home and trade it in for yours.
Put All Food in Storage Containers
Insects can smell food from a long distance and if your cereal and other snacks aren’t stored properly, these pests can easily get into them. The best way to prevent this is to store your food in plastic containers. This will prevent hungry insects from climbing into your food.
CALL THE PEST CONTROL EXPERTS AT NATURALLY GREEN
As the winter months inch closer and closer more and more insects will be searching for a warm place to stay. The best protection you have from these fall invaders is with perimeter pest control from Naturally Green. Our perimeter pest control program is an environmentally friendly and pet-safe product that is applied around your home to create a barrier that kills pests and keeps them away for weeks. We service the Litchfield, Hartford, Tolland, and Windham Counties. You can like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check out some of our projects on Pinterest.