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When the chill of fall arrives, it’s not just humans searching for warmth—pests and wildlife are also making plans for the winter. From tiny insects to furry critters, many creatures spend the fall season looking for food, shelter, and warmth. Unfortunately, your home might be their next destination.

Understanding what pests are most active in the cooler months—and how they get indoors—can help you take the right steps to protect your property before the first frost hits.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs Are Persistent

First detected in the United States in September 1998 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the brown marmorated stink bug is a native of Japan that has become a serious nuisance. Known for damaging landscape plants, fruit trees, and crops, these insects begin migrating into homes as temperatures drop. They typically hide in attics, eaves, and wall voids, staying dormant until spring.

Flying Insects Move Indoors for Warmth

Fungus gnats, fruit flies, and other small flying insects often search for warmth in basements, crawl spaces, and garages before making their way into living areas. Once inside, they enjoy the consistent indoor climate—especially in kitchens and bathrooms, where moisture and food sources are easy to find.

Wildlife Seeks Shelter in Residential Areas

Cold weather drives wildlife such as squirrels, raccoons, and groundhogs to find shelter inside nearby houses. Common entry points include spaces under decks, sheds, and gaps in gutter lines. Once inside, these animals can cause significant structural damage.

Protect Your Home from Winter Pests

When outdoor food and shelter become limited, pests are more determined to move inside. Proactive pest prevention—through home sealing, seasonal maintenance, and prompt repairs—is the best defense against infestations. Acting before temperatures drop can save you from expensive damage and unwanted houseguests this winter.

A change in the seasons means a change in pest behavior. While the fall and winter months bring a welcome break from summer swarms, they also present a new set of challenges for homeowners. By knowing which pests to watch for and taking preventative measures early, you can enjoy a cozy, pest-free space all winter long.

As temperatures drop, rodent activity increases in and around homes and businesses. Unfortunately, this change in the weather also raises the risk of Lyme disease—a serious illness transmitted through tick bites. Understanding the link between rodents, ticks, and Lyme disease is the first step in protecting your family and property.

The Connection Between Rodents and Lyme Disease

• Ticks acquire Lyme bacteria from infected mice. Mice serve as hosts for ticks, spreading the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
• Ticks thrive in shaded areas. Leaf litter, wood piles, mulch beds, and tall grass are common hiding spots.
• Nymph ticks are the biggest threat. These tiny, infected ticks are difficult to spot and can transmit Lyme disease to humans and pets.
• Children and seniors are at higher risk. These age groups are more susceptible to serious, long-term health impacts.
• Lyme disease can be chronic and debilitating. Without prompt treatment, symptoms can last a lifetime—and in severe cases, be fatal.

Why Rodent Control is Key to Lyme Disease Prevention

Reducing rodent populations directly lowers the number of ticks in your environment. Effective prevention requires addressing both pests at the same time. This means taking steps to eliminate rodent entry points, reduce harborage areas, and manage tick-prone zones around your property.

A Tailored Pest Prevention Solution

With over 20 years of experience, our team delivers custom solutions for:

• Homes and apartments
• Restaurants and food-service locations
• Large commercial complexes

Since no two buildings or environments are the same, we create tailor-made prevention plans that may include:

• Sealing cracks, gaps, and entry points to block rodents from getting indoors
• Targeted pest control treatments inside and outside the structure
• Ongoing monitoring to reduce populations and prevent reinfestation

Protect Your Home, Family, and Pets

Fall is the perfect time to take action before pests settle in for winter. By combining rodent control with tick prevention, you can significantly reduce the risk of Lyme disease on your property.

Even if you’re not currently dealing with a pest infestation, the risk never goes away—especially in the winter. As temperatures drop, rodents and insects look for warmth and shelter, making homes and businesses the prime targets for infestation.

To protect your space, you’ll need to take proactive winter pest control measures before the cold weather drives pests inside. Here’s how to get started.

Essential Winter Pest Prevention Tips

Follow these recommended steps to reduce your chances of a winter pest invasion:

• Trim back tree branches to keep rodents from accessing your roof or attic.
• Declutter storage spaces such as basements, attics, and utility rooms to remove potential nesting sites.
• Inspect and repair fascia boards along the roofline, replacing any rotted wood.
• Fix loose mortar and replace weatherstripping around windows and doors to block entry points.
• Store all food in airtight containers and clean up crumbs immediately.
• Seal cracks and gaps in your home’s exterior with a durable silicone-based caulk.
• Keep firewood at least 20 feet from your home, off the ground, and covered.
• Prevent ice dams by using a roof rake to safely remove excess snow.
• Schedule a professional chimney inspection and cleaning, and have a cap installed to keep pests out.

Signs of a Winter Pest Infestation

Watch for these common signs that rodents or insects may already be in your home:

• Chewed corners of boxes or food packaging
• Small piles of sawdust or wood shavings in unusual places

Many homeowners don’t notice a pest problem until it’s too late, and significant damage has occurred. Rodents, termites, and other pests can cause harm before you see them.

Why Professional Pest Control Matters in Winter

If you notice suspicious signs—or want to ensure your home is secure—it’s wise to hire a licensed pest control professional. We can:

• Identify both visible and hidden signs of pests
• Implement a targeted treatment plans for your home or business
• Provide long-term prevention strategies to keep pests away all year

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Protect your home this winter with professional pest prevention and timely maintenance. Acting now can save you from costly repairs, and unwanted guests, when the temperatures drop.

As winter gives transitions to warmer weather, we see the emergence of pests that have been waiting for the warmth. Early spring weather, excess moisture, and the surrounding landscape can all influence how and when these insects appear.

Here are some of the most common spring pests you may encounter in New Jersey and how to spot them before they cause damage.

Termites Are a Hidden Threat 

“Beware the Ides of March” may have been written by Shakespeare, but in the pest control world, it’s also a timely warning for termite emergence. As environmental conditions improve, the reproductive members of termite colonies—known as swarmers—establish new colonies.

Many homeowners and business owners discover a termite problem when they find hundreds of flying insects near windows and discarded wings scattered on floors or window sills. By this stage, termites may already be causing significant hidden damage.

Carpenter Ants Destroy Damaged Wood

Carpenter ants are another wood-destroying insect, but unlike termites, they don’t consume wood. Instead, they carve out galleries in rotted or softened wood to build nests.

One of the most common warning signs is piles of sawdust (frass) suddenly appearing in areas that were previously clean. This sawdust is the byproduct of their tunneling activity. If left unchecked, carpenter ant colonies can grow rapidly, which weaken structural elements of the building over time.

Mosquitoes Are Busy Breeding

Mosquitoes are a persistent problem in New Jersey, and the state of early spring can indicate the severity of the summer mosquito season. Warmer temperatures and excess moisture allow mosquito eggs to hatch earlier, which gives them more time to multiply.

Breeding often begins in standing water found in gutters, birdbaths, plant saucers, and low-lying areas in the yard. Once their numbers spike, they can become a major nuisance and a health concern due to their ability to transmit diseases.

Why Early Spring Pest Control Matters

Spring pests are highly adaptable, and adjust their habits to match both weather conditions and available resources. Taking proactive steps—such as scheduling inspections, sealing entry points, and addressing moisture issues—can help prevent infestations before they start.

Don’t wait until pests take over. Early detection and professional treatment are the best ways to protect your home or business from costly damage and health risks.

As summer settles in, insect activity reaches its peak. Warmer weather pulls pests out of diapause—a dormant state many insects enter during colder months—triggering rapid colony growth, increased foraging, and, in many cases, home invasions.

From ants invading kitchens to bees and wasps buzzing around backyards and ticks lurking in residential yards, understanding pest behavior this season can help you protect your home, family, and pets.

Ant Infestations

In New Jersey, common ant species include:

• Carpenter Ants (wood-destroying pests that tunnel into softened wood)
• Acrobat Ants
• Odorous House Ants (notorious for their strong smell when crushed)
• Argentine Ants
• Citronella Ants

Ants are opportunistic feeders. Once a scout ant discovers a food source—like a forgotten piece of fruit—it sends a chemical signal to guide other colony members. Within hours, an entire structure can experience an ant infestation.

Bees and Wasps

Yellow Jackets, Carpenter Bees, and Honey Bees are all active in the summer. While bees—especially honey bees—play a vital role in pollination and are generally non-aggressive, wasps are predatory, territorial, and often aggressive.

• Honey Bees: Focus on pollination and building wax hives. They are not typically aggressive, unless provoked.
• Carpenter Bees: Bore into wood to create nesting galleries, which can damage structures over time.
• Wasps (including Yellow Jackets): Build papery nests and will defend them aggressively, posing a sting risk to people and pets.

Fleas and Ticks

Wildlife moving through residential areas can introduce fleas and ticks to your yard. In New Jersey, the deer tick is most common and is a primary carrier of Lyme disease. These pests often hide in bushy, wooded, or grassy areas, but they’re not uncommon in suburban lawns and gardens.

Why Spring Pest Control is Essential

Summer is a time of rapid pest activity, and infestations can escalate quickly if left unchecked. By identifying problem areas early and working with a licensed pest control professional, you can prevent costly damage, protect your health, and enjoy the season without unwanted intruders.