Fall Pest Invasions: Squirrels, Rodents, and Insects
As the cooler temperatures of fall arrive in Northern Virginia, so does a surge of pest and wildlife activity. Nuisance pests like squirrels, mice, rats, and insects will begin preparing for winter, often seeking warmth and shelter inside your attic, crawl space, or basement. These pests can create safety and health hazards, and they can also cause serious property damage. Getting rid of rodents and insects can be tricky, so always leave fall pest invasions to wildlife and pest control experts, like the team at Summit Environmental Solutions!
Why Fall Brings More Pests and Wildlife Indoors
When the temperatures cool down, more animals and insects will be seeking warmth, which your home or commercial property can provide. The shorter days and gradually dwindling food sources mean pests need to scavenge more for food, which will often draw them to your trash cans, or any crumbs or spills in your home. Squirrels, mice and rats may enter through rooflines, vents, chimneys, and foundation cracks, while insect pests can squeeze underneath doors, or make their way inside on grocery bags or cardboard boxes.
Squirrels in the Attic
Squirrels do not hibernate, so during the fall they will need to begin preparations for the long winter ahead of them. Squirrels might seek warmth and shelter inside your attic space, where they can chew up your wires, rip apart your insulation, and leave their waste behind everywhere. Additionally, squirrels exhibit a behavior called “caching” during the fall, where they build up several hidden caches of nuts and seeds that can sustain them through the winter. Your attic space or wall voids can become one of these spaces, and squirrels may store hundreds of nuts and seeds inside your home for retrieval later.
Rodent Problems (Mice & Rats)
Mice and especially rats are dependent on humans for survival, which becomes even more of a necessity when the temperatures drop and food becomes scarce. Rodents are aiming to already establish themselves inside your home before that happens, which means that mice and rats scurrying around is a common sight for homeowners during autumn. These clever pests will squeeze through the tiniest cracks and gaps to get inside your home, often widening them with their sharp claws and teeth.
Rodent problems are more than just a nuisance, they can also pose a significant health and safety risk. Rats and their droppings can spread diseases and bacteria, often contaminating your food supplies and food preparation surfaces. Rats and mice will also rip apart your insulation to add to their nests, often soiling it in the process. These critters will also gnaw through wires, which can create a potential fire hazard.
Insects Seeking Shelter
Insects and arachnids will commonly seek shelter inside homes in Northern Virginia as the temperatures drop. You might see stink bugs, ants, cockroaches, and spiders invading during the fall, which can create several problems. Cockroaches and ants can spread harmful bacteria like E. coli, and stink bugs will emit a foul scent when killed. Spiders aren’t quite as bad, but their appearance can be frightening to some.
Prevention Tips for Homeowners
- Make sure you seal all the cracks, gaps, or other openings on your home before the cold weather sets in. Window screens, vent screens, and chimney caps can keep squirrels out.
- Make sure your food is stored in sealed, hard containers that rodent teeth can’t chew through.
- Clean up all crumbs and spills as soon as they happen.
- Reduce clutter in your attic, basement, and yard, as clutter provides shelter and a feeling of safety to insects and rodents.
- Trim tree branches close to your roof to reduce squirrel and roof rat access.
- Have regular inspections done to detect issues early.
Why Professional Wildlife & Pest Control is Essential
Having professional wildlife removal and pest control services done is essential to ensuring that your critter problem stays out for good. DIY treatments often fail against growing infestations or determined wildlife. Summit Environmental Solutions can help, our team of licensed experts offer safe, humane wildlife removal services and highly effective pest control services to our customers in Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax. We don’t just remove the critters causing you trouble, we also perform exclusion work and come back with regular pest control treatments to ensure that your property is protected in the future.
Best Wildlife Removal & Pest Control Service in Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax
Fall is the most critical season for pest prevention, as the fall is when squirrels, rats, mice, stink bugs, spiders, and more will begin searching for a safe place to settle down for the winter. Contact us today to get started with your free inspection today at 703-520-5868 and protect your home BEFORE the pests get in!
