PESTS BEGIN TO INVADE HOMES AS FALL APPROACHES

Franklin Pest Solutions Michigan City, reminds homeowners to be cautious of unwanted pests as the season changes

The fall season is known to many as the time of year when the leaves change, the air becomes crisp and the nights grow longer. But, it is also a peak time for pests to make their way indoors seeking food, shelter and warmth. Franklin Pest Solutions, a pest management company in Northwest Indiana, warns that homeowners are likely to experience increased pest activity inside the home as the seasons change.

The Threat

“During the fall months, smaller pests including spiders, boxelder bugs, asian lady beetles, flies and rodents search for a place to take refuge from the cold winter ahead – and houses are a great option,” said Dave Sloop, Franklin Pest Solutions Michigan City Branch Manager. “Unfortunately, these pests usually multiply fast, leading to a greater infestation and pest problem. They can damage homes and can even become a danger to our health.”

Spiders

Spiders are predatorial. They eat other bugs. The only reason they’d be in your house is because there’s a buffet of other insects in nooks and crannies that you may not be able to see or notice. As freaky as they can be, spiders are like housekeepers. They maintain other bug populations and you don’t even have to pay them! Ha!

When their numbers grow to a point that becomes way too many for you, it’s time to consider some action to reduce the “other bug” populations. Killing the insects the spiders are eating will make your house seem less appealing to the spiders, thus reducing the spider populations. Too many spiders can be dangerous, especially if someone in the house is allergic to bug bites in general.

Boxelder Bugs

This time of year when the crops start getting harvested, seeing boxelder bugs inside the house can be a fairly common sight, depending on where you live. These things are pretty much harmless. They’re not known to cause significant damage and they don’t bite or sting. The way they cluster together and creep up the south and west sides of your house to bask in the sun is incredibly annoying though.

Asian Lady Beetles

Don’t be fooled! These are not the “good luck charm” variety! They’ll excrete a disgusting yellow fluid (It’s not pee) that smells rank and stains anything it touches. To be fair, these bugs are beneficial in a lot of ways. Asian beetles eat harmful crop-destroying bugs like aphids and mites. So it’s not surprising that when crops come down, they flock to homes just like boxelder bugs. They thrive in Spring and Summer as fields of luscious greenery is in full grow-mode and predatorial bugs are chomping away at those crops. They’ll glady seek shelter in the walls of your home once the sun and the vegetation goes away. So it’s important to seal up the nooks and crannies now while you can before they invade!

Flies

If you see flies that are slow-moving, appearing almost “drunk” if you will as they repeatedly bash themselves against the insides of the windows in a room of your house that’s not used as frequently as others, you’re not alone. It’s very common for flies to move indoors as cooler weather creeps nearer. The buzzing is annoying. And if there are too many for your fly swatter to handle, a treatment on the inside of the house may be the answer. Also, depending on what type of fly you’ve got, they may indicate a deeper issue like a rodent problem.

Rodents

The house mouse prefers to live in structures that are dark, secluded and undisturbed. Their nests are typically constructed of fabric materials, paper, cotton, insulation fibers, etc. Insects and seeds are standard house mouse edibles, but they’ll adapt to whatever is available. “Blind mice” is no understatement since they can’t see beyond six inches, but they are quite agile and will scale a building at a ninety degree angle and even jump a foot off the ground! Because of how dangerous the house mouse’s constant urination is to our health, it’s a wise choice to seek professional pest management when these are present. It will not only pinpoint where the entrypoints may be in your house, but it will bring your environment back to a healthy status. Don’t believe me on the urine thing? Scan a mouse-infested room with a black light. Yeah. It’s gross to even think about…

7 Tips for Fall Pest Prevention

Experts at the National Pest Management Association, a nonprofit organization committed to the protection of public health, food and property from household pests, recommend the following 7 tips for Fall pest prevention to keep these pests at bay:

• Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home with caulk.
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
• Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
• Screen vents and openings to chimneys.
• Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.
• Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and keep shrubbery well trimmed.

“We also encourage homeowners to always be on the lookout for tell tale signs of a pest infestation. If you find rodent feces, hear sounds of scurrying in the walls or observe gnaw marks on wires, it’s best to contact a pest professional to inspect and treat the potential problem,” added Sloop.

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For more information on fall pests and how to protect your home, visit www.franklinpestsolutions.com