7 ways to keep your Ohio home bug, rodent and snake free during winter months
Colder weather means cozy blankets, bonfires and holiday preparations.
In addition, it means living bug-free, or at least for the most part anyway. But there are some pests that stick around in colder weather. Some of them even thrive in it.
So, let’s breakdown which ones you are most likely to see in Ohio’s cold weather and how to protect your home from damage.
Why do bugs and other pests come inside when it gets cold?
Bug activity does slow during the winter months, but it isn’t uncommon to see some tiny pests inside.
Pests will wonder inside during colder weather to find shelter from the frigid temperatures, as well as to seek out a snack.
They are really just like us. They want to snuggle up, eat and rest inside during the winter. But don’t let them overstay their welcome over the holidays in your home.
Bugs common in Ohio’s winter weather
“Northwest Ohio winters are filled with snowblowing driveways, avoiding drifts, watching for black ice and… bed bugs, spiders, mice, rats, cockroaches, termites, and more. While most pests hibernate in the winter months, there are some that don’t go dormant when the weather turns cold. In fact, they can do most of their destruction during the wintertime,” according to Delving Pest Control in Elmore.
Here are the bugs you’ll see this winter in Ohio weather.
Spiders
They are creepy crawlers and they stick around long after Halloween. Specifically, the Brown Recluse Spider is common this time of year in Ohio.
According to Delving Pest Control: “They may reside on window moldings, in boxes, in the attic, at the back of a drawer, and really anywhere. When dwelling in human residences and businesses they seem to favor cardboard, possibly because it mimics the rotting tree bark which they inhabit naturally.”
These spiders don’t bite unless they feel threatened, but if they do bite, it will leave a “welt” that will need to be checked out by a doctor immediately.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are a constant pest, even in the winter.
Experts at Ortho said: “Indoor cockroaches are at peak population when it’s cold. A combination of heat, moisture, and food makes kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and the space under appliances a cockroach’s dream.”
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs need a warm home, too.
Termites
These pests never seem to go away.
“During the winter, to guard themselves against the freezing weather, termites will dig deeper tunnels into houses and businesses,” according to Delving Pest Control.
Bedbugs & fleas
Even pests look for a warm bed in the winter. Makes sense, right? Be on the lookout for these pests when traveling or hosting others.
Fleas can also be dormant in bedding, carpet or furniture cushions during colder months. Ortho experts suggest to stay vigilant with cleaning, vacuuming and using medicines for your pets during this time.
Beetles
Beetles hibernate in the winter and when they do, they might find their way into cracks and small spaces in your home. In Ohio winters, you may see the Asian Lady Beetle making an appearance in your home.
The Asian Lady Beetle looks like a “lady bug” and is mostly harmless. They are more of a nuisance, but they do excrete an awful odor and can leave behind a yellow stain if squished.
Rodents
In addition to those bugs, another pest that is very common this time of year: rodents.
According to Delving Pest Control, “Mice and rats enjoy finding a warm place to spend the cold months. Sometimes that means they burrow their way into insulation in your attic or the walls in your basement until spring.”
How to keep your home safe
Now that we’ve got the list of pests down for winter, let’s get down to business. Here’s how to keep your home safe from pests:
Oasis Turf & Tree in Dayton suggests:
You should seal up all cracks and crevices. These are areas where pests are making their way inside.
Trim plants, shrubs and bushes and keep brush away from the house. They might crawl on a branch on your shrub right to your siding, where they find a crack to sneak in. But if you keep your plants trimmed back, you make their entry more difficult.
More tips from Smart Exterminators in Middleburg Heights:
- Screen vents: Make sure that vents and chimneys are properly screened to keep bugs and other pests from crawling into your home.
- Use weather stripping: Weather stripping can be added around doors and windows to create a tight seal and prevent bugs from entering.
- Keep food stored properly: Store food in airtight containers and make sure that crumbs are cleaned up to reduce the attraction for bugs.
- Minimize lights: Bugs are attracted to light, so try to minimize lights near windows or doors.
- Use chemical deterrents: Chemical insecticides and bug sprays can also be used to prevent bugs from entering your home, but it’s best to hire a professional who has the right products and knows how to carefully use them as directed.
What’s your least favorite winter bug? Let us know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
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This story was originally published November 13, 2023 at 1:31 PM with the headline "7 ways to keep your Ohio home bug, rodent and snake free during winter months."
