Overwintering Pests

Starting With The Basics

In San Diego, there is a good chance that insects are going to overwinter. When a pest overwinters, it will take shelter in a building to stay protected from the snow, frost, and freezing temperatures. Wall voids and attics are great places for overwintering pests to hide.

Which Pests Overwinter?

Please note that several pests overwinter. Below, you’ll learn more about the pests that overwinter in your area.

Boxelder Bugs

In the summer months, the boxelder bug is a minor pest in your garden. They eat the seeds of boxelder and maple trees. When winter arrives, boxelder bugs are going to be a serious pest. They’ll enter your home in large numbers. Thanks to their slim size, they can enter your home through cracks and crevices reliably.

Ladybugs Or Asian Lady Beetles

You likely know about ladybugs and agree that they’re cute. The Asian Lady Beetle is different. When it gets cold outside, Asian Lady Beetles will try to sneak into your home so they can take refuge and stay warm. Unfortunately, these pests bite and release a terrible odor.

Cluster Flies

Cluster flies like being outside. They’ll tend to live their entire life outdoors. This fly is unique because it starts as a parasite in an earthworm. As the larvae is introduced, the cluster fly begins living outside. When the temperatures drop, cluster flies will try to enter your home. They prefer hiding behind loose tree bark, but they will take shelter behind loose wood planks too. Once they’ve found a way into your home, it is too late.

Leaf-Footed Pine Seed Bugs

Leaf-footed pine seed bugs produce a new generation each year. Adult bugs tend to grow up to 3 quarters of an inch. They’re dull-brownish. During the warm summer months, leaf-footed pine seed bugs eat pine cones and pine cone seeds. Adults will try to find shelter when winter arrives. They’ll try to hide under tree bark, but this isn’t always possible. They’ll also enter buildings using small gaps, cracks, and openings. Once summer returns, leaf-footed pine seed bugs will show up in large numbers.

Since they’re bigger than other bugs, they’ll give you a shock. Thankfully, this nuisance pet won’t bite or damage your property.

Stink Bugs

Stink bugs came from Asia, and they’ve quickly become a pest in the United States and abroad. Stink bugs are brown and grow up to half an inch. They have a shape that resembles a shield. During the summer, stink bugs eat vegetable crops as well as ornamental crops. They can destroy the entire crop very quickly. When the colder months arrive, stink bugs will try to enter your home. Don’t crush them because they’ll release a horrible smell.

What Signs Tell Me That I Have An Overwintering Pest Infestation?

Overwintering pests will try to break into your home during the winter. When the warm temperatures arrive, these pests are going to exit your home and return outside. In addition to this, they may emerge indoors. They’ll try to exit your home, so you’ll begin seeing them in your living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. Remember that they’re trying to return outside. If you see these bugs in your home during the spring, you’re likely dealing with an overwintering pest issue.

How Can I Stop Overwintering Pests From Entering My Home?

You’ll likely want to prevent overwintering pests from turning your life upside down. The best solution is to stop them from entering your home in the fall. First, you’ll want to carefully check your home for cracks, holes, and crevices. If you find any, you should seal them with caulk. You’ll also want to check the following items around your home.

Sealing Gaps & Screen Openings

You need to seal all gaps and cracks so bugs won’t be able to enter your home. This will improve your chances of enjoying a pest-free life in the years to come.

Try A Protective Barrier Treatment

Using a protective exterior barrier treatment is a good way to prevent pests from entering your property. Professionals will use industrial-strength chemicals to keep pests away. These products have a long lifespan, so they’ll continue working for many, many months.

How Overwintering Pests Are Entering Your Home

Joints

It is common for overwintering pests to enter homes through brick and mortar joints. You should look for small cracks and fill them immediately. Using sealant is the best way to seal the cracks.

Beneath The Window Frames

You’ll also want to look under your window frames. Do you see any gaps on the top, sides, or bottom of the frame? If so, you should seal them with caulk.

Fascia

An uneven surface around the wooden clapboard will lead to a gap. Gaps in the fascia boards need to be sealed with caulk. Alternatively, you can try using a foam insulating cord to fix the problem.

Attic Vents & Soffit

Before stopping, you should check the attic and soffit vents. It is pertinent to deal with holes, gaps, and tears in the screen. Bugs may be able to squeeze through these holes, so you’ll want to seal them first.

Utilities

Finally, you should check around utility openings. Overwintering pests will enter through the smallest cracks. Therefore, you need to close them before this can happen. The possibilities are endless. You can stuff insulation into the cracks or you can use another flexible material. You’ll also want to use an old pot scrubber. It’ll keep the bugs away without rusting. If you want to keep the bugs away for good, you should stop what you’re doing and call us. Our professionals are eager and ready to begin helping you.

What Can I Use To Keep Overwintering Pests Out?

Using Exclusion Materials

Exclusion materials are materials used to stop pests from accessing your home. Exclusion materials work great for overwintering pests as well as ordinary pests. Remember that you need to use the best material for the surface you’re working with. You’ll find tips below for picking the right material.

• When dealing with joints that won’t move, you should use caulk.
• Sealants work well for joints that expand or retract depending on the temperature.
• You can use foam insulation to fill long gaps. Spray foam is another option, but it is difficult to remove later. If you suspect you’ll need to remove it later, don’t use spray foam.
• Aluminum screening is a cost-effective way to fill gaps of different sizes.
• When trying to fill gaps, you should try using hardware cloth.
• Finally, don’t be afraid to use pot scrubbers. They will fit into the gaps perfectly.

Alternatively, you can contact us and get professional assistance.

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