When cold, winter weather arrives, some pests go into hibernation while others enter homes seeking warmth and food sources. Allow A-Tex Pest Management to warn you about some of the creepy crawlies and other pests you might encounter this winter season. The earlier you act, the less severe your pest problem will be!
Spiders
The Spider is a common mascot for Halloween. Many people find them scary, and they a common problem during the fall and winter season. There are over 3000 species of spiders that invade homes in North America. However you will hear of the black widow and the brown recluse spiders the most often. These two pose the biggest threat to people. They are highly venomous and they like to hang out around people’s homes. You certainly don’t want a black widow or a brown recluse hanging around your home, so be on the lookout for these two dangerous spiders. A black widow is easily enough to spot. Black widows have all black glossy bodies with a distinct red hour glass on its under belly. The red hourglass is carried by all female and even sometimes the males. The female black widow is the one with the dangerous bite. Black widows like to hide in dark places and come out at night to feed. A brown recluse is a light brown spider with a dark brown violin shape on its thorax. Just like the black widow, brown recluses like to hide in dark place during the day, and come out at night to feed. However they prefer boxes and dressers.
Rats
Rats and other rodents become a major problem this time of year. The change in the season will inspire many rats to go on the search for a warm place to call home. Fall is the usual time of year where rat and other rodent activity begin to increase, continuing into winter. You will want to keep an eye out for any rat or rodent intrusion. Look for signs of any chew marks out or inside your home, as well any feces. Rat feces will appear in a pill or capsule shape around areas where food might be present. The Norway rat is one of the most common species of rat in Texas. They are one of the largest rat species in North America. They have small ears, and eyes to their head size. They also have a round nose. They are dark brown almost black at first sight and sometimes even grey with a white or yellowish under belly.
House Mice
The house mouse is the most commonly encountered rodent in the United States! House mice usually nest in dark, secluded areas such as attics, garages and basements. This rodent can cause serious property damage by chewing through drywall and also electrical wires that can then spark an electrical fire. House mice are also known to leave their droppings wherever they go, contaminate food and spread diseases such as Salmonella and tapeworms.
Pest Inspections, Treatment, Control, Removal & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park Texas
It’s never too late to fight back against pests. You can spray pesticides for spiders, and lay baits and traps for your rodent intruders. You will want to go over the outside of your home and seal any cracks or openings to prevent any unwanted pests entering into your home. If you find yourself overwhelmed with any of these winter pests, A-Tex Pest Management is here to aid you and protect your home from future invasion. Call us today!
