Many families host guests during the holiday season. Maybe it’s only once a year that you spend time with family members or dear friends who live miles away. So, you open your home to your precious loved ones, no matter how much of a hassle it may be. However, there are some pesky guests you don’t want to host during these chilly months—Arizona’s winter pests, that is.
In this blog, JB’s Pest Control discusses some of the most prevalent pests during Arizona’s winter. Continue reading to discover what creepy crawlers you need to keep an eye out for over the holidays.
What Winter Pests are in Arizona?
When temperatures drop, many let their guard down, assuming the typical home-invading pests won’t survive the change in weather. Well, this certainly isn’t the case. Arizona has one of the mildest winters in the country, meaning insects, spiders, and critters are still a threat.
The five most common pests to look out for are:
- Termites
- Ants
- Spiders
- Cockroaches
- Rodents
Termites
Termites typically won’t survive a freezing winter. But because winter is less severe in Arizona, termites continue to thrive like any other time of the year. Some colonies will even continue reproducing if the conditions are right.
These winter pests are likely to enter your home because the environment is far more suitable than the chilly outdoors. It’s easy for such destructive insects to thrive and multiply in the cozy safety of your home. In fact, many people consider winter to be Arizona’s primary season for termites.
If you’ve ever experienced a termite infestation, you know their impact can be severe. They chew through some of the most vital structures of your home. When undetected or ignored, they may even cause a house to collapse.
However, when caught in the early stages, repairs may be possible. That’s why taking action as soon as you suspect termites is crucial. It would be a massive mistake to leave them be and hope they go because they certainly will stay, reproduce, and continue causing detrimental destruction to your home.
To prevent the unthinkable from happening, it’s wise to hire experts to thoroughly inspect your home before the start of the winter season. There are often few signs of their presence until the damage is too serious to save. Instead, keep your family safe by scheduling a routine inspection with a local pest control company.
Ants
Ants are another Arizona pest that thrives in the winter due to the mild temperatures. Fortunately, ant activity slows with the chill. However, this also means ants are more likely to invade your home in search of abundant food, water, and warmth.
On the brighter side, spotting ants inside your home is perhaps the least of your worries when it comes to winter pests. Most are harmless and more of a nuisance than anything else. However, some ants bite or sting, which can cause welts, itching, and some pain. They can also contaminate food, like pantry products and exposed fruit.
If you are concerned about a possible ant infestation, you have a couple of options. First, you can try store-bought baits and poisons to eliminate the pesky critters. But, if the colony is significant, DIY methods will not be enough. The best thing you can do is contact your local pest experts to examine your home and get rid of the potential infestation.
Spiders
Spiders are one of the most prevalent winter pests in Arizona. They are resilient arachnids, so the cool weather is hardly a threat. Some spiders enter a state known as diapause. During this time, the spider’s metabolism slows, and its activity level significantly decreases. It’s a survival adaptation many insects and arachnids have developed over time to combat freezing temperatures. Spiders entering diapause will often sneak their way into your home, searching for a safe place to essentially sleep the cooler weather away. Other spiders are not phased by the change in temperature and continue hunting prey, reproducing, and spinning their webs.
In fact, an abundance of spiders in your home during the winter months may indicate a larger problem. A spider’s primary food source is other spiders and insects. In the winter, they will follow the prey hiding away in your cozy house. Therefore, if you notice more spiders than usual, you may have another pest infestation you are unaware of.
This also means having spiders in your home can be good. Most spiders are harmless. They are a natural predator of several wintertime pests and an effective form of pest control. If you only see spiders here and there, it’s best to leave them be.
However, two species are dwelling in Arizona that can be a threat to you and your family—the black widow and brown recluse. Black widows are rarely found indoors, even when the temperatures drop. Still, they may hide away in your home’s dark and damp areas. Brown recluse spiders are the biggest threat. Both species deliver potent venom in their bites and can make a person ill. For some, a bite may be life-threatening. So, if you suspect these dangerous spiders are lurking in your home, call a professional team as soon as possible.
Cockroaches
A cockroach infestation can happen in the blink of an eye. These nasty winter pests rapidly reproduce and can survive on just about anything. During cooler weather, they are even more abundant indoors than at any other time of year. Cockroaches are known for spreading bacteria and may irritate allergies and increase asthma symptoms. The dangerous bacteria they spread may cause illnesses like salmonella.
It can be challenging to recognize a roach infestation. For one, they are excellent at hiding. Cockroaches are also quick and will scurry away before you even see them. Additionally, the allergy symptoms they cause for many people are like the typical cold symptoms, making it difficult to identify.
If you spot roaches in your home or continue to suffer from allergy symptoms after several doctor visits, call your local pest control company to get rid of them.
Rodents
Rodents often seek warmth, food, and shelter when temperatures begin to drop, and your home is their ideal environment to hide away. Mice, rats, and even squirrels will likely enter indoors to escape the harsh conditions.
These pesky rodents are much more than a nuisance. Mice and rats are notorious for spreading disease by contaminating food and surfaces throughout the home. They may also carry additional pests, like ticks and fleas.
However, one of the biggest concerns when dealing with a rodent infestation is the destruction they cause. These hazardous critters have large and sharp incisors, or teeth, capable of gnawing through even the most durable materials. Drywall, metal, wood, and other parts of the home’s structure can be severely damaged when a rodent infestation goes unnoticed.
But that’s not all—mice, rats, and squirrels can even set the house on fire! They aren’t afraid to chew electrical wires, which may spark and spread flames in no time. So, if you think you have a rodent infestation, it’s crucial to contact a professional immediately to prevent illness and significant damage.
Enjoy the Holiday Season with a Pest-Free Home
No one wants to spend this festive time of year dealing with pesky winter pests. Instead, you want to enjoy quality time with family and friends, feasting on yummy holiday meals and snuggling up with a cup of hot cocoa or apple cider.
Reach out to JB’s Pest Control for a routine inspection before the season starts. We are your local experts with the industry’s top methods to rid your home of critters and pests of all kinds. It would be our pleasure to service your home and allow you to truly relax for the holidays.
