Fall is cozy season, when you pile on extra blankets, nudge up the heat, maybe pop some cookies in the oven.
“Thanks a bunch,” say the ants, box elder bugs and spiders making their way into your house. “We love cozy.”
Not what you had in mind when you put out that new “Welcome Friends” doormat?
Does cold weather make bugs come inside? It does. When cold weather arrives, shivering bugs head straight for your toasty home. Ants, box elder bugs and spiders are big heat seekers once Idaho temperatures dip.
- Which Pests Move Indoors in Cold Weather?
- How to Keep Pests Out of Your Home in Winter
- How Professional Pest Control Can Help
How can you keep pests out of your house in winter? Clean up outdoor debris. Keep food out of reach. Seal up any gaps or cracks. Trim box elder trees. Get on board with professional pest control.
Grab a cup of cocoa and learn more about pests that enter homes in cold weather and how to banish the bugs.
Which Pests Move Indoors in Cold Weather?
Some common household pests in Idaho mind their own business and scuttle underground for the winter.
A few others are looking for a cozy Air BNB — bug ‘n breakfast.
Watch out for these invaders:
Box Elder Bugs
These pesky red and black bugs are among the Idaho pests that enter homes in cold weather.
They love gathering on warm surfaces, such as the sun-warmed exterior of your house, when it’s chilly so they can soak up warmth.
Once these common household pests hang out outside your house, why not check out the inside? They hear there might be cookies baking.
But don't just start smashing box elder bugs. We get it: you want to smash them. But these stinkers release a smelly liquid that attracts other bugs and can stain your walls, carpet, or floor. Vacuum them up instead, then empty them into a sealed bag or sweep them out.
Common Ants and Ground Ants
Ants, in the fall? Isn’t it bad enough they ruined all your summer picnics?
Ants never give up. They’re always hungry, and they don’t like being cold or wet, which is why they are among the troublesome pests that enter homes in cold weather.
Once one little ant finds a crumb or two from that midnight snack you munched and carries them back to his nest, he leaves a scented trail for other ants to follow.
Next, a slew of ants has moved in, chanting “Yay, free food” in tiny ant voices.
Spiders
OK, spiders are the worst, so let’s keep this quick.
Spiders don’t like the cold. Your house is warm inside. Here they come.
How to Keep Pests Out of Your Home in Winter
If all this bug talk has you shuddering, there’s good news. You can banish these heat-seeking common household pests with a few key strategies:
Clear Away Yard Debris
All those damp leaves and fallen twigs that make you grumble on weekends are havens for bugs.
Don’t let the yuck pile up. Rake those leaves, trim overgrown shrubs, scoop up fallen twigs and branches.
Stockpiling firewood outside for cozy crackling winter fires? Make sure it’s covered and elevated.
Aim for a 5-foot radius around your home that’s clear of all outdoor debris to help keep pests out of the house.
Tidy Up Inside, Too
You know how much you love munching a couple Oreos before bed? Ants love crumbs even more.
Be a crumb crusader. Wipe down counters and tables, don’t let dirty dishes pile up, and vacuum up crumbs.
Keep pantry items in hard plastic storage containers on high shelves.
Don’t leave bread or fruit on the counter.
Trim Box Elder Trees
It’s not just a coincidence. Box elder bugs are named after box elder trees. They suck sap from the leaves and stems but really love munching the seed pods.
If you remove the box elder trees, you’ll reduce the bugs. At least consider trimming the trees regularly and raking up the seed pods as they fall.
Fill Any Cracks or Gaps
The tiniest openings are big welcome mats for pests that enter homes in cold weather.
Inspect the exterior of your home for any cracks in the foundation or gaps forming in your roof or under your doors. Are your door seals tight?
To keep pests out of the house, fix any tears or cracks in window screens where bugs can skitter through.
Indoor Plants? Check for Bugs
Your indoor plants are like safaris for spiders. They love hiding in the leaves and spinning webs there to catch tasty insects.
When you water your plants, inspect them for these common household pests and give them the boot.
How Professional Pest Control Can Help
One of the best ways to keep pests out of the house is to kill them before they get there, with perimeter pest control. This outdoor barrier protection helps prevent bugs from entering your home and foundation.
A late fall treatment will help prevent these crumb and heat-seeking pests from entering.
Perimeter pest control focuses on prevention—carrying out insect control before bugs enter your home and begin to cause problems.
Lawn Buddies technicians spray around the perimeter of your home and yard to send insects packing for about three months.
Technicians typically treat about three feet up on the house and six feet out, creating a wide protective barrier around the house that includes the landscaping and lawn directly around your home.
The spray leaves a residue on surfaces that kills insects and continues to work for about three months.
Fall is a great time to pair outdoor perimeter pest control with an interior professional pest control treatment and extra protection as bugs try to escape the cold.
We’ll deliver your insect control while we’re already on your property for lawn care treatments. No extra hassle for you.
Keep Pests Out of Your House with Lawn Buddies
Let’s assume your idea of a cozy weekend doesn’t include snuggling under a blanket with bugs.
The first step to taking advantage of Lawn Buddies perimeter pest control is to sign up for our 6-step complete lawn care program.
You’ll be glad you did.
Choose lawn care and landscaping services in Boise and Idaho Falls that make it easy, bundling your yard’s most-needed treatments into one convenient, no-fuss plan.
Got a few minutes? That’s all you need to get started. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at (208) 656-9131 or read more about our services. Then, you can kick back and relax in your healthy, thriving yard and pest-free home.
