Box elder bugs (PHOTO: Jackie Johnson)
Cool fall weather also means more pests are trying to get indoors. Randy Allen from Wil-Kil Pest Control says it’s not just the bugs that are looking for a warm place to spend the winter. “It includes bugs and rodents, mice in particular, but right now, we’re going to be seeing, and particularly as we go from the north part of the state to the southern part of the state, we’re going to see what we call the hibernating insects start to move towards structures.”
As far as bugs go, Allen says there are a few that cause trouble every year. “Three big targets that we have this time of the year beginning with the Asian Lady Beetles. The other ones are Cluster Flies and Box Elder Bugs, all of which are looking to find somewhere in eaves, peaks, and soffits, or any void area they can find where they can get into a home or business.”
Allen says property owners need to do a fall inspection, and seal any crack or hole that can let pests into your building. “We’re looking for anything that’s going into the home, any kind of conduit like from a central air conditioning unit, utility meters, things like that. Anything that’s going into the home, you’re going to want make sure it’s sealed around there. Bugs don’t need a lot to get in. A mouse only needs about a quarter of an inch.”
One of the most commonly forgotten problem areas where pests enter homes is through bad door sweepers and seals, especially garage door seals. “What I’ll do, is I’ll take a number two pencil and see if I can slide it underneath any kind of door sweep, and if you can, that’s about the size of a small mouse being able to squeeze its way in.”
Allen says caulking, weather stripping, vent screens, and door seals go a long way in keeping your home or business pest-free.
WSAU