Table of Contents
Our Baltimore Professional Overwintering Pest Control
It cannot be stressed enough, overwintering pests target vulnerable homes. What is a vulnerable home? Any home with exterior-to-interior openings that can be utilized by overwintering pests as an access point is vulnerable. An overwintering pest is an insect that enters a deep sleep or dormant state when winter sets in.
Most Common Overwintering Pests In Baltimore Maryland
Overwintering pests are more active in late fall than in any other season. In Maryland, the most common overwintering pest sightings involve the box elder bug, ladybug, stinkbug, cluster fly, and leaf-footed pine seed bug. To learn more about these insect species, please read the content provided in the article below.
Box Elder Bug
The box elder bug “boxelder bug” is a highly distinguishable insect species, thanks to its bright red-outlined black wings. The social insect travels, forages for food, searches for shelter, lives, and invades homes in colonies. You rarely see the box elder bug alone. They are usually clustered together on the wall of a building, ground, gate, or window.
To avoid harsh weather exposure during the winter season, the box elder bug becomes diligent about finding indoor shelter. Fortunately, the insect does not feed or reproduce after a home infiltration. They do not have a stinger or venom, making them more of a nuisance pest than human health or environmental threat.
Ladybug
The ladybug “Asian Lady Beetle” is a tiny insect featured in children’s books, as an innocent critter. The yellow, orange or red black-spotted shell-like wings are the insect’s most distinguishable features. Like the snail, the ladybug is a slow-moving living creature. Unlike the snail, the ladybug has flying capabilities that are utilized to access food and infiltrate homes.
When stressed, injured, and eradicated, the ladybug emits a foul odor that many people find to be undesirable.
Cluster Fly
The cluster fly shares many of the same physical characteristics as the common housefly. Six legs, translucent-like wings, black body, large head, and feeding tube are very similar to that of the common housefly. Many people cannot differentiate between the two insects. The biggest difference is the cluster fly enters the overwintering state when winter kicks in while the common housefly does not.
In their natural habitat, cluster flies seek shelter behind loose tree bark, in damaged walls of buildings, underneath firewood or lumber piles, or other structures.
The cluster fly remains in an overwintering state until the weather begins to warm. At this time, the insect gradually emerges from its hiding place.
Leaf-Footed Pine Seed Bugs
Next, you’ll need to worry about leaf-footed pine seed bugs. You don’t be able to ignore this overwintering pest since it is one of the biggest. They can grow up to three-quarters of an inch. During the summer months, they want to stay outside. They shouldn’t both you during the warm months. However, they’ll become a nuisance when it gets cold outside. When the temperatures drop, leaf-footed pine seed bugs will begin searching for ways to enter your home.
They can also take shelter behind the bark of pine trees and conifer trees. They’re not dangerous, but you’ll need to clean up their mess.
Stink Bugs
Brown marmorated stink bugs haven’t been in the United States for long, but they’re one of the most common overwintering pests. Since you live in Baltimore, you’re likely going to encounter these overwintering pests at some point. Although they’re not dangerous, they pose a handful of problems. They’re annoying and will keep you on edge. In addition to this, they’re going to release a foul odor in your home. If you cause them stress, they’ll make your home stink.
Stink bugs want to be outside when it is warm. When it gets cold, they’ll try to sneak into your home. Stop this from happening by sealing your gaps and keeping them out.
Common Signs Of Overwintering Pests
Are you concerned that your home has become overrun with overwintering pests? It might be and you may not realize it. Instead, you may need to wait until the overwintering pests decide to go outside. In general, overwintering pests enter residential dwellings to get away from the cold weather. Then, they’re going to stay in your home until the warm months arrive. You can make them come out of hiding by turning your HVAC system higher. If you find lots of overwintering pests in your home when it gets hot, you likely had an overwintering pest problem.
Preventing Future Overwintering Pest Invasions
Overwintering pests are stubborn. As a result, it’ll be difficult to keep them out of your home. Nevertheless, you can take steps to keep some of them out. You’ll want to do what you can to seal the gaps around your home and keep overwintering pests and other household pests out of your dwelling. Below, you’ll find tips for keeping overwintering pests out.
The Smallest Of Gaps
You’ll have to block the smallest of gaps since overwintering pests will use them to enter your home. Check for small gaps on your exterior walls and seal them immediately. Once you’ve done that, you’ll have a higher chance of maintaining a pest-free home throughout the year.
Exterior Barrier Treatments
Keep overwintering pests away from your property by using a protective barrier treatment. A professional exterminator will install materials around your home to keep pests away from your property. They’ll use industrial-strength products to guarantee long-lasting results. These products work exceptionally well as long as they’re carried out by professionals.
Gaps That Overwintering Pests Use To Enter Dwellings
Bricks/Mortar
First and foremost, check the gaps between the bricks and mortar. Overwintering pests will be able to slip through this gap and enter your home. As a result, you need to fill in this gap as quickly as possible. It is a good idea to use a sealant to block this gap to prevent overwintering pests from entering your home.
Window Frames
Look at your window frames because they might have gaps. The sides and tops are likely properly sealed, but the bottoms might not be. Check to make sure that the bottoms are properly sealed. If they’re not, you’ll want to seal them using caulk. Do so and pests won’t be able to slide through these gaps.
Fascia & Clapboard
You’ll also want to check around your home’s fascia and clapboard. You’ll likely find gaps where the two materials meet. Sealing these gaps can make a big difference. It is a good idea to take advantage of a foam insulating cord, so you can stop pests from entering your home using this hole.
Vents In Attics
Don’t forget to check the vents in your attic. These vents need to be protected by an aluminum screen. If the current screen is damaged, it may need to be replaced. Overwintering pests will be able to squeeze through the small tears, so replace the screen immediately.
Utility Gaps
When defending your home from overwintering pests, make sure you focus on utility openings. Follow your plumbing pipes so you know where they enter your home. Check your electrical cables too. You may find small holes between the pipes and your walls. If this is the case, you need to seal these gaps immediately. Doing so can prevent pests from invading your home.
When you find overwintering pests on your property, act rapidly. Contact our office because we’re eager to help. We offer safe, reliable overwintering pest removal and prevention services.
Materials To Use To Seal Your Home
You need to eliminate overwintering pest entry points as quickly as possible. Otherwise, infestations will continue occurring. Using exclusion materials can help block them from entering your home. These materials can be purchased at hardware stores. These pest-proofing products will help you keep overwintering pests out of your dwelling. Furthermore, they’re great for stopping ants, rodents, bedbugs, and other pests from sneaking into your home.
Use The Right Material
When attempting to stop overwintering pests, make sure you’re using the right material. For instance, using a caulk when sealing gaps around brick is recommended. Brick will not expand or shrink due to weather changes, so caulk is okay. A sealant should be used when you need to deal with materials that will change due to temperature changes.
Addition Exclusion Materials To Use
Remember that you can use other exclusion materials to keep overwintering pests out of your home. For instance, you’ll want to use foam insulation around your home. Foam insulation will be flexible, so it is great for sealing long gaps. Although you can use spray insulation, doing so is not a good idea. It is too difficult to clean up later.
You’ll also want to try using an aluminum screening. It is inexpensive and reliable for keeping pests out of your home. Other exclusion materials you’ll want to use include hardware cloth and pot scrubbers.
To learn more about our overwintering control, reach out to our Baltimore extermination company. We offer customized treatment plans with routine visual inspections to ensure the maximum results. Our goal is to help overwintering pest victims regain control of their homes as soon as possible.
If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.
