Winter weather is here! And I think we can all agree that this season has been quite the unusual one. All the ups and downs. One day in the 70s and days later getting snow. It’s got our heads spinnin’ in all sorts of ways.
Though refreshing, this weather is the perfect breeding ground for all types of insects and pests lurking right outside the safety of your homes. Below we’ve outlined the most common winter pests you’re likely to experience here in the Dallas area.
Rats and Mice
From our experience, we’ve seen 7 to 8 out of 10 homes here in the Dallas area have signs of rodents, so there’s a mighty fine chance you may as well.
The first sign of a rat or mouse infestation usually starts with homeowners hearing scratching in their walls, attics or roofs. Rats are nocturnal rodents but tend to stay considerably activity throughout the day as they search for food and materials for nesting.
These aren’t the cute, fluffy companions from PetSmart. Rats and mice can cause a lot of damage to your home such as chewing up furniture, wires and insulation. These little home intruders can become a very expensive menace and may be difficult to get rid of once their numbers start to grow.
If you think you might have an infestation of these critters, but aren’t sure, be sure to read our whole post about how to spot if you have rodents in in your home.
Squirrels
Rats and mice aren’t the only unwelcome house guest that likes to sneak in to visit, our next big contender for the season are squirrels. Like rats, these little fluffy terrors come with the bonus of wreaking havoc to your home. But unlike rats and mice, squirrels are diurnal, meaning that they’re active during the day.
Squirrels are fond of burrowing and gnawing which can cause major structural damage to your home. These little homewreckers might look cute but pose a significant health risk to your family.
Squirrels are known to be carriers of parasites, diseases as well as ticks and fleas which pose an even greater risk to your pets and children. Squirrels typically tend to build their homes in the roof or attic of a home.
Like rats, the earlier squirrels can be contained, the safer we can make your family and your home. Are they cute? Sure. Are they fluffy? Absolutely. Are they rabid and dangerous? Do you really want to find out? All the more reasons to give us a holler.
The Occasional Invaders
Finally, the last and most common home invaders are local insects looking for a warm place to hide. These party crashers can range from ants to spiders and most terrifyingly, roaches.
Even when the great ol’ state of Texas sees all four seasons in the same week and disturbs the balance of many hibernation cycles, we can make sure your home and family are at ease. Proper preventative maintenance can go a long way and is the best way to protect your home, family and community.
Remember, preventative maintenance is key to a long-term and effective pest prevention. If you think your home has been invaded with these daredevils reach out to a professional to help shoo your furry friends back from whence they came and back into the wild.