Pest control is often mistaken for a summer only industry, but as one of the leading pest control companies in the North-West, we can confidently tell you that nothing could be further from the truth.
It is true that the heat of the summer does lead to an increase in certain pests, mainly insects such as wasps or ants, but there are plenty of others who pose problems all year round, and more still that are more of an issue during the winter.
When winter comes, the colder temperatures leave many warm blooded species seeking the comforting warmth of human inhabited buildings. Unfortunately, these pests are not the most pleasant guests to live with and bring a myriad of health and property damage concerns in with them.
This blog will examine 5 of the common pests that Pest Control Widnes companies deal with most during the winter and the steps that you can take to avoid being their next victim.
5 common winter pests in the UK
Mice and rats
Rodents are some of the most prodigious winter pests famed for seeking refuge indoors during the winter to stay out of the cold. Rodents can fit through extremely small gaps which makes proofing your home or business against them a significant challenge.
Once rodents have gained access they will soon make their presence known, gnawing their way through pretty much anything they can find, from the food in your kitchen to the insulation and electrical wiring inside your walls.
Keeping your home clutter free and sealing any gaps that you can find with steel wool or similar are just some of the steps that you can take to rodent proof your property.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches pose problems in both residential and commercial properties all year long but are, if anything, more prominent during the winter months. Roaches are disgusting and will rapidly contaminate surfaces and food stuffs, leaving behind all sorts of nasty germs and allergenic proteins and generally making the nearby area incredibly unhygienic.
Spiders
Spiders can actually be excellent pest controllers in their own right but some people simply cannot stand sharing their home with these creepy crawlies. Spiders are very rarely seen as pests due to the fact that very few species found in the UK pose any genuine threat to humans but if you are determined to keep your home spider free, seal as many cracks in your windows and doors as you can and keep nooks and crannies free of webs.
Clothes Moths
Clothes moths will hide in your wardrobe and destroy the natural fibres of your clothing, especially those made from either silk or wool. This can lead to some pretty expensive damage not to mention the inconvenience of having to replace your lost materials.
Cluster flies
Another insect that love to gather in large numbers during the winter months. If you do end up with fly problems during the winter, there is a good chance that it is cluster flies you are dealing with as other species become less active during this time.