WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OVERWINTERING PESTS

We know what you're thinking…the cooler weather is coming with fall and winter seasons, so good-bye bugs!

We’re sorry to burst your happy bubble, but that it unfortunately not the case.

While some types of bugs do die in colder weather, there are many common nuisance bugs like cluster f lies, Asian lady beetles, boxelder bugs, pine seed bugs, wasps and hornets, and mice, who move indoors to hibernate from late fall to early spring. This is called overwintering.

various overwintering pests that environmental pest control treats

While you may see less of these pests as the weather cools, they do linger around - coming in and out of cracks and crevices of homes, cottages, barns, garages or businesses during the warmer days to enjoy the sun's warmth and feed, and going back inside when the evening cools down.

The first overwintering bugs are cluster flies, who find points of entry in buildings and can been seen coming and going throughout the day and night depending on the temperature. Next comes boxelder bugs and pine seed bugs, followed by Asian Lady beetles who have no more food source (aphids) once fields are harvested for the season. Last (and often feared most) are the mice. Mice are driven away from fields during harvesting and from other natural environments this time of year. With insufficient shelter, food and water, they scurry indoors.

What can you do this fall to help keep overwintering bugs from finding a cozy place to sleep in your home or business for the next 5-6 months?

The most impactful thing you can do is prevent them from getting in. Check out and try these helpful pest proofing tips we’ve shared in our Pest Library:

Something else you can do is consider a fall treatment. Because fall is the time of year when overwintering pests invade in pursuit of the perfect place to sleep the cold weather away, it’s the ideal time to have a treatment from a pest control professional.

A good fall treatment includes spraying the exterior of the building or structure, heavily focusing on doors, windows, eves and soffits with high quality professional products. These products contain an enduring and strong residual, which is crucial in helping to treat and prevent overwintering pests. A strong residual means that the application will not wash or fade away quickly in the sun or rain. After the service has been completed, the product continues to work on pests that encounter it, killing them within days. DIY pest control and ‘over the counter’ pest control products don’t have the same strong residuals, and therefore are ineffective.

Many homeowners, cottage owners, and businesses have an annual spring treatment, which helps address the previous year’s overwintering pests, which woke up in the spring. While spring treatments are effective in dealing with those nuisance pests, they do not help you minimize the return of new generations of overwintering pests who will likely once again find their way into your home or business again come fall.

If you need help with fall pests, contact us. We've been expertly treating for fall pests since 1988.

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Trevor Dixon

I want to thank Sarah! She really did a amazing inspection! I had a issue with mice. Sarah cover the inside and outside taking care of holes/gaps above the front and back doors. attics and garage. And has a very caring attitude towards her clients! I have know about Environmental Pest control for many years as they looked after issues with a school board I worked for.

Margo Dixon

We just had a fall treatment done at our country property. We never hesitate to call this company to protect us from ladybugs, cluster flies and more. You can count on them for punctuality, professionalism and thoroughness. Shout out to Cody who went above and beyond today: on his own accord, he brought our garbage/recycling bins to our garage door from the road and was able to retrieve a helium balloon that had floated up to the top of our cathedral ceiling. We are seniors, so these gestures of kindness were most appreciated. Highly recommend!

Sherrie Lee Hawley

I cannot rate this company high enough. I first talked with Thomas on the phone. He was so polite and patient with this 79 year old lady animal advocate. He talked me through everything and I made my choice of the service I desired. I got an appointment the next day. Craig was right on time and he went through everything again and made sure I understood the whole procedure. I feel I got a very fair price for the work done. Do not hesitate to call Environmental Pest Control if you need help with wasps as I did!

Heather Lundberg

I recently had the bait boxes refilled to avoid having mice move into my house as the weather turns colder. Mike and Jake arrived at the appointed time. Both gentlemen were polite, friendly and very professional. When they left, I contacted Kassandra to arrange payment. She was lovely, pleasant and polite, a pleasure to speak with. I have used the services of this company for years and have always been pleased.