Is a pest-packed fall and winter in the forecast?
Is a pest-packed fall and winter in the forecast?
We all know weather forecasts are subject to change, and don’t always turn out exactly as they are predicted. But when forecasting whether pests will threaten your home, you’ll want a little more certainty than what you’re reading on a weather app or watching on the local news.
Clark, your friendly pest control, mosquito, rodent, termite, and grounds care expert, is committed to preventing pests from gaining access to your home and threatening your family, food, or the structural integrity of your biggest investment.
The fall and winter pest forecast
The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has released its bi-annual Bug Barometer® forecast. The forecast is a seasonal projection of the pest pressure and activity that Americans can expect to see in their respective regions of the country, based on weather patterns, long-term forecasts, and pest biological behaviors.
According to the NPMA’s team of entomologists, a mild, dry summer season could cause increased pest activity throughout much of the United States, as forecasts show looming predictions for below-average temperatures and increased precipitation this winter.
“Weather patterns across the U.S. were quite mixed this summer,” said Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., chief entomologist for the NPMA. “Some areas experienced quite normal, mild climates, while others, like the South, were met with record rainfall, and [there was] historic drought in the West. This weather mix has allowed pest populations to thrive, and the impending cold spell for much of the U.S. will likely send pests into homes in search of food and shelter this winter.”
Increased pest pressure comes with some serious health risks, as ticks, cockroaches, and rodents can transmit dangerous germs and diseases to humans.
“Prevention is key this time of year, especially as it pertains to keeping cockroaches and rodents out of your home,” Fredericks added. “Mice and rats invade an estimated 21 million U.S. homes each winter seeking respite from the bitter cold and snow, so be sure to eliminate any areas of moisture found in the home, and be sure to keep your kitchen clean, storing food in airtight containers to keep pests out.”
California’s pest outlook
- If warm fall temperatures persist, expect such pests as cockroaches, ants, and centipedes to remain active well into fall and early winter.
- As cooler temperatures finally settle into the region, prepare for an increase in rodent activity.
- Expect to see mouse activity increase as rodents look to homes, sheds, and even vehicles for shelter ahead of winter.
- Warm conditions this summer could allow mosquito and tick populations to thrive into the fall and even the early winter months.
Pest prevention tips
What can you do to keep pests outdoors this fall and winter? Clark recommends making sure that you seal cracks and holes on the outside of your home and store boxes off the floor to prevent pests from residing in undisturbed areas.
Clean up yard waste (e.g., leaves, excess brush, overgrown shrubs, or tree limbs touching a roof) to eliminate a hiding place for pests close to your house where they can find a way inside.
Finally, do your part to eliminate conditions that can attract pests, including spilled food, garbage cans without lids, or excess moisture from broken irrigation systems or leaky faucets.
Pest control for your home
If you’re concerned about pests gaining access to your home this fall and winter, call or text California’s trusted pest control expert, Clark, at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or email us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.
Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home.