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Overwintering Pests

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Professional Overwintering Pest Extermination In Santa Monica CA

Overwintering pests are a group of insect species that go into a hibernation-like state throughout the winter season. These insects prefer the outdoors to the indoors in the late spring, summer, and early fall.  The insect prefers the exact opposite for the winter season. Overwintering allows the insects to survive on minimal nutrients and vitamins from stored fat.

Most Common Overwintering Pest Sightings In Santa Monica

The most commonly reported overwintering insect sightings in Santa Monica include the following:

  • Overwintering Box Elder Bug “Boxelder Bug”

    – The box elder bug has the most unique coloration, the red outline on the edge of both wings. The red tone is more like neon orange or reddish/orange. The adult grows 0.5 inches long, allowing quick and easy access to recreational and commercial buildings via tiny openings around windows, plumbing pipes, and door frames. The insect does not sting or carry diseases or parasites. However, they are notorious for damaging building structures and emitting an unappealing odor when injured or stressed.

  • Overwintering Ladybug “Asian Lady Beetle” –

    The ladybug looks like a miniature turtle, with its orange, red, or yellow black-polka dotted shell-like wings. The insect is only a few millimeters long. The largest ladybug is seven millimeters in length while the smallest ladybug is about four millimeters long. The ladybug does not transmit diseases or parasites. Like the box elder bug, the ladybug produces a foul-smelling secretion that is released under stress and injured.

  • Overwintering Cluster Fly

    – The cluster fly is easily confused with the common housefly because their physical characteristics are very similar. The larvae are earthworm parasites for three weeks of their life. When the insect reaches maturity, it becomes independent of the earthworm. The diet consists of specific blossoms. They are drawn to the indoors starting in the late fall, in preparation for the upcoming winter season. In their natural habitat, the cluster fly will take refuge underneath loose tree bark, decaying firewood, and lumber piles, and shrubs. When overwintering comes to an end, the cluster fly will emerge from its indoor hiding place in search of a quick exit.

  • Overwintering Leaf-Footed Pine Seed Bug

    – The grows up to -.75 (¾) inches in length, with a dark brown body. The diet consists of sap from pine seeds and cones. In the late fall, the insect will begin searching for a building with quick access via tiny openings in damaged siding, thresholds, and window frames. Many witnesses claim the insect is an unsightly insect. The insect does not cause structural damage to the pine tree or buildings.

  • Overwintering Brown Marmorated Stink Bug “BMSB”

    – The stinkbug gets its name from the marmorated coloration that covers the wings, legs, and antennas. Like the ladybug and box elder bug, the stinkbug generates an unpleasant secretion utilized as a defense mechanism against what the insect believes is a predator. The diet consists of juices from crops and fruit trees. Starting in the late fall, the stinkbug initiates infiltration attempts in buildings believed to be vulnerable. The insect utilizes small gaps and crevices to access the indoors. Once inside the home, the stinkbug does not consume food or reproduce, instead searches for a discrete, warm, dark shelter. When the weather begins to warm outdoors, the insect will emerge from its hiding place in hopes of avoiding detection and finding an exit point.

Signs You Have Overwintering Pests

Are you worried that overwintering pests have found a way to sneak into your home? You may be living with overwintering pests without realizing it yet. You may not be able to identify the problem until the overwintering pests decide to return outside. They tend to do this when the sun increases the temperature of your home significantly. These pests shelter during the winter and go outside during the summer. They’ll also try to exit your home when the HVAC increases the home’s temperature.

Just remember that the pests are trying to go outside. When you find ladybugs, cluster flies, pine seed bugs, or stink bugs in your home in late spring, you likely had an overwintering pest problem.

Stopping Overwintering Pest Infestations

Stopping overwintering pests from entering your home is highly recommended. If you can keep them out, you can avoid a headache and save money. Nevertheless, it isn’t always easy to keep overwintering pests from sneaking into your home. Identify small entry points and seal them immediately. Doing so will keep overwintering pests and other household pests outside.

Seal All Small Entry Points

Check your home carefully for tiny entry points. Overwintering pests can enter through the smallest gaps. As a result, spend time dealing with the small entry points around your home.

Protective Barrier Treatment

Professional exterminators offer protective barrier treatments. We recommend these services because they keep pests away from your home. We use industrial-strength products to provide long-lasting, reliable results. These treatments will help keep overwintering pests from approaching your dwelling.

Common Places Overwintering Pests Enter Homes

Brick Joints

If your home is made with bricks, you can likely find gaps near the top bricks. You’ll need to check where the bricks are sealed together with mortar. Bugs can use this gap to enter your home, but you can’t let this happen. Seal the gap to keep overwintering pests out of your home.

Windows

When windows are initially installed, the sides and tops are caulked to keep water out. In some cases, the bottom of the frame is caulked. However, there is no guarantee that it has been caulked. If it hasn’t, deal with the problem swiftly. Pests can climb inside using the gap under the window frame. Seal the window frame to keep them out.

Fascia/Clapboard

Since the clapboard has an uneven surface, it will likely leave gaps near the top of your home. If you find gaps here, using caulk to seal the gap is a good idea. However, it is more convenient to use a foam insulating cord.

Soffit/Attic

You cannot ignore your home’s attic and soffit vents. They should be covered with screens. If they aren’t, install screens as soon as possible. If they are, make sure the screens are in excellent condition. If they have holes, you’ll need to replace the screens immediately.

Check Openings For Utilities

Your utilities have to enter your home at some point. Your plumbing pipes, HVAC copper, and electrical cables need to enter your home. You have to check these entry points because they may have small gaps and holes. If they do, pests could use them to enter your home. You’ll want to fill these gaps using one material or another. Depending on the size of the gap, you can use an old pot scrubber. Otherwise, you may need to use caulk or sealant.

If you need assistance, call our office. We’re eager to help, and we won’t stop until you receive satisfactory results. With our assistance, we can help you keep overwintering pests from entering your home.

Exclusion Materials

Homeowners should take advantage of exclusion materials to keep overwintering pests and other pests out of their homes. Take the right steps and you’ll reduce the likelihood that you’re going to experience an overwintering pest problem in the future. Exclusion materials are designed to help keep overwintering pests out. In addition to this, these materials will deliver protection from other pests throughout the year.

Choose The Right Material

When sealing a gap on a specific surface, choose the right material. Picking incorrectly could lead to big issues. For instance, you should use caulks when the materials aren’t going to experience movement due to temperature changes. If the joint will move, use a sealant. Caulks are good for brick, but you’ll want to use sealants for wood and aluminum.

Other Materials

You’ll also want to use other materials to keep unwanted pests out. Using foam insulation is great for blocking long gaps. Although you can find foam insulating in a spray can, it is much harder to clean up. It is best to stay away from the spray types. Don’t forget to use aluminum screening because it is an inexpensive way to seal cracks of all sizes. Hardware cloth can be used to block certain entry routes as well. Stuff pot scrubbers into holes to prevent pests from climbing inside. Don’t hesitate to contact us. We can help you prepare for a future overwintering pest infestation.

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