Watch out for these Winter Pests in Nashville

watch out for winter pest

watch out for winter pestNashville and Murfreesboro TN

You may associate pests more with the warmer weather, but some pests actually become more active during the winter. When the weather turns cold, certain species of pest go on the move, trying to find new homes indoors where it will be warmer, and they can find a better supply of food. Mice, cockroaches, and spiders are the most common varieties of pests to make these types of moves during the winter. Whether you own a home or a business, Ameri Care Services wants to educate you on the danger of these pests, and some steps you can take to protect yourself from infestation.

House mice are the most frequently encountered rodents in the United States

Mice are drawn to dark and secluded areas—and your basement and attic certainly apply, especially during the winter. Mice breed quickly and constantly chew, meaning they can do devastating damage to belongings and property. In fact, one of the most common causes of house fires is mice chewing through electrical wiring. They also can contaminate your food and have been known to carry diseases.

To get rid of mice, seal all potential points of entry into your home—even the smallest cracks and holes can be points of infiltration for rodents. Seal these points with caulk or steel wool; mice cannot chew through either. Meanwhile, provide fewer places for mice to hide or nest by keeping your home free of clutter and empty boxes. Droppings, gnaw marks or damaged food all are signs of mice activity. If you see any of these, contact a professional pest control company in Nashville as soon as possible.

German cockroaches are the most common type of roach in America 

Food and moisture are the main attractions for these roaches, which are found often in kitchens as well as bathrooms. They can find their way into your home by tagging along in bags of produce, or in second-hand appliances or storage boxes. Roaches have been known to carry diseases and can be quite harmful in worsening cases of asthma, especially in young children.

Want to keep roaches out of your home? Then keep your kitchen free of food crumbs and other food trash. Vacuum on a regular basis, take the trash out daily and regularly inspect under sinks for potential evidence of roaches.

Spiders can be helpful in keeping your home free of other pests, but varieties of spiders like the brown recluse can be dangerous

Brown recluse spiders look to make their webs in interior areas that stay relatively undisturbed—such as a basement, crawl space, closet, or attic. These spiders also may create their webs inside boxes, along with window moldings, or even inside rarely worn clothes and shoes. If they bite you, the brown recluse is poisonous to humans and can require medical treatment. 

To keep brown recluses out from your home, store unused clothing, shoes and sporting equipment inside sealed, plastic containers. Trees, shrubs, and plants near your home should be trimmed back—including cutting any limbs that may be hanging over the roof. Brown recluses are not the only type of spider hazardous to humans; if you are bitten by any type of spider, you may need medical attention.

Winter pest control in Nashville

Just because 2019 is already here, it’s not too late to pest-proof your home or business for the cold weather ahead. After all, winter officially will not end until late March and weather patterns in recent years have seen cold temperatures persist all the way into April. A little prevention can go a long way in protecting your home or business from the threat of active winter pests like mice, roaches, and spiders. Let one of the professional pest control technicians at Ameri Care Services evaluate your home to make sure no pests are present, and then we can put protections in place to keep them out—year round. Find out more by calling (615) 893-7111.

Ameri Care Services provides pest control to commercial and residential customers in Nashville, Mt. Juliet, and Murfreesboro, Tennessee.