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In Chicago, overwintering pests can be a serious problem for locals. You’ll discover these pests in your home before winter. They’ll stay in your home until the temperatures warm. They can hide anywhere in your home but usually, stay in wall voids and attics. Below, readers will discover more about the common overwintering pests in our area.
Which Overwintering Pests Are In Chicago?
Unfortunately, the city of Chicago is home to many overwintering pests. Some are more common than others. The most common overwintering pests in our area can be found below.
Boxelder Bugs
As a minor garden pest, boxelder bugs will stay outside during warm weather. They’ll eat the seeds of certain trees, including maple trees and boxelder trees. They’ll quickly become a nuisance this winter. They’ll try to sneak into your home to obtain shelter from the cold temperatures. Boxelder bugs are only half an inch in length. Thanks to their small size, they can enter a home through the smallest gaps. They’re not dangerous or destructive, but you’ll still want to eliminate them right away.
Asian Lady Beetles
Asian lady beetles or ladybugs are overwintering pests too. Although they’re cute, they’re not so cute when they enter your home in large numbers. These pests aren’t dangerous, but one species can bite. Try to avoid crushing these pests because they’ll release a terrible odor.
Cluster Flies
In our area, cluster flies are common overwintering pests. Despite living their entire lifecycles outside, they can enter residences before winter. They’re called cluster flies for a reason. They cluster together on certain surfaces, including walls. When the cold temperatures dissipate, they’re going to go outside. You’ll be surprised by the large group of cluster flies around your home. Don’t let them freak you out because they’re not dangerous. Deal with the mess they’ve left behind and try to prevent them from invading next winter.
Leaf-Footed Pine Seed Bugs
At three-quarters of an inch, leaf-footed pine seed bugs are one of the largest overwintering pests in our area. These native pests tend to create a new generation each year. During the warm, summer months, leaf-footed pine seed bugs remain outside and feed on pinecones. They’ll attempt to enter your home just before winter. They can also hide behind tree bark. Since these pests are so large, they are going to frighten you.
Put your mind at ease because they’re not dangerous or destructive.
Stink Bugs
Finally, Chicago is home to brown marmorated stink bugs. These pests haven’t been in the United States for long, but they’ve made an impact. They can be found across the country. They’re half an inch in length and have a shield-like back. Since they have a marbled pattern, they’re called brown marmorated stink bugs. During warm weather, these pests stay outside and destroy crops. Although they’re hideous, they’re not dangerous. They won’t damage your belongings either. Use your vacuum to grab them before disposing of them elsewhere.
Signs That You Have Overwintering Pests
As a resident of Chicago, you are going to encounter overwintering pests. It is pertinent to take steps to keep them out of your home. Even when you do everything possible, they might enter your home. In some cases, you can’t stop these obnoxious pests. It is often difficult to identify an infestation because these pests hide exceptionally well. Therefore, you likely won’t figure out you have a problem until the overwintering pests try to leave. You’ll find a lot of ladybugs, leaf-footed pine seed bugs, and stink bugs trying to flee your home. When you find many of them in and around your home, it is time to call a professional.
Protecting Yourself From Future Overwintering Pest Infestations
It is vital to take steps to keep overwintering pests out of your home. Failing to do so will lead to bigger problems in the future. Once overwintering pests find a way inside, they’re going to stay there. You need to take steps to properly seal your dwelling’s exterior walls so you can keep them. Be sure to seal any gaps you find. Doing so can keep overwintering pests, roaches, rodents, and other pests out of your home.
The Smallest Openings
Start by properly sealing the small gaps around your home. If you can eradicate small entry points on your exterior walls, you can likely keep these pests out. Remember to seal the gaps using caulk or sealant. Don’t ignore the smallest homes because overwintering pests will enter them too.
Using A Protective Barrier Treatment
To keep overwintering pests away from your dwelling, talk to your pest exterminator about protective exterior barrier treatments. They’re quick, effective, and cost-effective. They can stop overwintering pests and other pests from approaching your home. Be sure to use a professional’s services since they’ll use industrial-strength products and deliver better results.
Where To Check For Holes
Bricks
When attempting to protect your home from overwintering pests, start by checking the bricks around your home. Bricks are connected using mortar. Near the top of the mortar, you’re going to find small gaps. They’ll be located where the siding or molding overlaps the bricks. The small gaps must be sealed to stop pests from entering your attic. Since the surface is not going to change due to temperature changes, it is best to seal them using a sealant.
Windows
You’ll also need to check the windows around your home. Focus on the exterior portion of the window frame. In general, the bottoms of windows are rarely sealed. The tops and sides are usually caulked. You need to fill in the bottom with caulk to keep these unwanted guests out of your home.
Fascia Boards & Clapboards
Since the clapboard around your home has an uneven surface, it will create gaps around the dwelling. It is essential to block this entry point immediately. Caulk can help, but you’re better off using a foam insulating cord.
Vents In Attics
Don’t forget to check the vents around your attic. The vents should be covered by an aluminum screen. If the screen becomes damaged or torn, it needs to be replaced. Otherwise, it is going to allow overwintering pests to squeeze through and enter your home.
Openings Around Pipes & Cables
You’ll also need to check your utility lines and plumbing pipes. You’re likely going to find small gaps around both. Although these gaps are very small, pests can still use them to invade your home. Prevent this from happening by sealing the gap immediately. Be sure to use an old pot scrubber. Squeeze it and force it into the hole. Once you’ve done that, these pests won’t be able to enter through these small holes.
Regardless, there is a chance that overwintering pests are going to enter your home. You need to be ready for everything that comes your way. The best way to prepare is by writing down the phone number to our Chicago office. Call us when you encounter overwintering pests and we’ll deal with the problem promptly.
Using The Right Exclusion Materials
It is vital to make sure you’re using the right exclusion materials. If you’re not, these pests will get inside easily. Exclusion materials are products designed to keep pests out. Using the right material will prove to be vital in the long run. Pest-proofing products will defend your home from overwintering pests, rodents, cockroaches, and other pests. Be sure to use the advice below to ensure that you pick the right material.
What Is The Most Recommended Overwintering Pest Prevention Solution?
A custom overwintering pest prevention strategy is guaranteed to offer 100 percent protection. However, our exterminators believe with the client’s help, it is possible to maximize all pest control strategies. While the exterminator conducts the home inspection, the client(s) can focus on the vulnerable structural components, responsible for the initial infiltration of overwintering pests. Vulnerable structural components, such as cracked door and window frames, weak entrance door thresholds, loose air conditioning & heating flex duct connections, and broken crawlspace vents need to be repaired.
With the inspection evidence, the lead exterminator will develop a custom prevention strategy. We highly suggest sealing all access points accessible to overwintering pests with a waterproof sealant. Medium- to large-openings will need a more aggressive approach – metal or wood sheeting.
Why Hire Us!
- We are a locally owned and operated pest control company in Chicago
- Our exterminators are licensed with the State of Illinois
- We require our exterminators to attend bi-annual conventional pesticide safety courses
- Our pest control company is insured, bonded, and licensed with the State of Illinois
- Our overwintering pest control pricing is competitive with Illinois’s top pest control companies
Our professional overwintering pest treatment begins with an initial inspection. The inspection is available to all Chicago residents free of charge. We need at least 24 hours to process your service request. If your overwintering pest problem demands immediate attention, please feel free to take advantage of our emergency service. We will dispatch a licensed exterminator to your home within a few hours of your request, in most cases.
If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.
