5 Pests to Watch Out for This November
As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, we’re not the only ones seeking warmth and shelter indoors. November marks a significant shift in pest behavior, as many critters start their annual migration from the chilly outdoors into the cozy confines of our homes. For homeowners, this means a new set of uninvited guests might be looking for a place to stay for the winter.
Understanding which pests are most active during this time is the first step toward keeping your home secure and comfortable. This guide will walk you through the five most common pests you’re likely to encounter in November. We’ll cover how to identify them, the problems they can cause, and effective strategies to prevent them from moving in. By being proactive, you can ensure your home remains a pest-free sanctuary all season long.
Why Pests Move Indoors in the Fall
Pest behavior is heavily influenced by the seasons. As autumn progresses, three key factors drive insects and rodents to seek refuge inside your home:
- Dropping Temperatures: Just like us, pests feel the cold. Your heated home offers an ideal environment for them to survive the winter.
- Food Scarcity: Natural food sources like plants, seeds, and other insects become scarce outside. Your pantry, crumbs, and even garbage cans become a five-star restaurant for hungry pests.
- Shelter from the Elements: Your home’s walls, attic, and basement provide protection from wind, rain, and snow, creating perfect nesting sites.
Knowing why they’re coming in helps you understand how to keep them out. Let’s look at the main culprits to watch for this November.
1. Rodents (Mice and Rats)
Mice and rats are perhaps the most notorious fall invaders. As temperatures drop, these resourceful rodents look for any small opening to gain access to the warmth and food your home provides.
How to Identify Them
- Droppings: Small, dark, pellet-shaped droppings are a tell-tale sign. Mouse droppings are about the size of a grain of rice, while rat droppings are larger.
- Gnaw Marks: Look for gnaw marks on furniture, baseboards, electrical wires, and food packaging.
- Nests: Rodents build nests from shredded materials like paper, fabric, and insulation in secluded areas like attics, basements, and behind appliances.
- Noises: You might hear scratching, scurrying, or squeaking sounds in your walls or ceilings, especially at night.
Potential Problems
Rodents are more than just a nuisance; they pose significant health and safety risks. They can contaminate food with their droppings and urine, spreading diseases like salmonella and Hantavirus. Their constant gnawing can also damage property and create fire hazards by chewing through electrical wiring.
Prevention Tips
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home’s foundation, walls, and roof for any cracks or holes. A mouse can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime, so seal even the smallest gaps with steel wool and caulk.
- Secure Food Sources: Store all food, including pet food, in airtight containers. Clean up crumbs and spills promptly.
- Maintain Your Yard: Keep your yard tidy by trimming overgrown vegetation and removing woodpiles or debris that could serve as outdoor shelters near your home.
2. Cockroaches
Cockroaches are resilient pests that can thrive in a variety of environments, but they prefer the warm, humid conditions often found in kitchens and bathrooms. In November, they become more determined to find their way indoors.
How to Identify Them
- Sightings: Seeing a cockroach, especially during the day, often indicates a larger infestation as they are primarily nocturnal.
- Droppings: Cockroach droppings look like small black pepper specks or coffee grounds.
- Egg Casings: You might find oval-shaped egg casings (oothecae) in dark, hidden areas.
- Musty Odor: A large cockroach infestation can produce a distinct, unpleasant, oily or musty smell.
Potential Problems
Cockroaches are known to spread bacteria and pathogens that can trigger allergies and asthma attacks, particularly in children. They can contaminate food and surfaces, posing a serious health risk to your family.
Prevention Tips
- Keep it Clean: Maintain a high standard of cleanliness, especially in the kitchen. Wipe down counters, sweep floors daily, and avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink.
- Fix Leaks: Cockroaches are attracted to moisture. Repair any leaky pipes or faucets in your kitchen, bathroom, and basement.
- Seal Cracks: Seal gaps around pipes, baseboards, and electrical outlets to block potential entryways.
3. Spiders
While some spiders live indoors year-round, many more will try to enter your home in the fall as their outdoor food sources (other insects) diminish. They are often found in quiet, undisturbed areas like basements, attics, and closets.
How to Identify Them
- Webs: The most obvious sign of spiders is their webs, which can be found in corners, on ceilings, and around light fixtures.
- Egg Sacs: Look for silk-spun egg sacs, often hidden in webs or tucked away in secluded corners.
- Actual Spiders: Seeing an increase in the number of spiders in your home is a clear indicator they are moving in for the winter.
Potential Problems
Most common house spiders are harmless to humans and can even be beneficial by preying on other pests. However, venomous spiders like black widows and brown recluses can pose a health risk if they bite.
Prevention Tips
- Declutter: Spiders love clutter because it provides ample places to hide and build webs. Keep storage areas like basements and attics organized and tidy.
- Seal Openings: Use caulk to seal cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and your home’s foundation.
- Manage Outdoor Lighting: Insects are attracted to light, and spiders are attracted to insects. Use yellow “bug-light” bulbs for outdoor fixtures to reduce the number of insects drawn to your home.
4. Boxelder Bugs
Boxelder bugs are black and red insects that become a major nuisance in the fall. They gather in large numbers on the sunny sides of buildings to soak up warmth before looking for a place to overwinter.
How to Identify Them
- Large Groups: You’ll often see them congregating in large numbers on south- and west-facing exterior walls, doors, and windows.
- Distinct Markings: They are about a half-inch long with black bodies and distinctive red or orange lines on their backs.
Potential Problems
Boxelder bugs do not cause structural damage and are not harmful to humans or pets. However, they can be a significant annoyance when they enter a home in large numbers. They may also stain walls, curtains, and other surfaces with their excrement.
Prevention Tips
- Seal Entry Points: Like with other pests, sealing cracks around windows, doors, and siding is the most effective way to keep them out.
- Repair Screens: Ensure all window and door screens are in good repair and free of holes.
- Vacuum Them Up: If boxelder bugs do get inside, the easiest way to remove them is with a vacuum cleaner.
5. Stink Bugs
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is another invasive species that has become a common household pest in the fall. They seek shelter from the cold and can enter homes in large numbers.
How to Identify Them
- Shield Shape: These bugs have a distinctive shield-shaped body and are mottled brown in color.
- Odor: True to their name, they release a pungent, unpleasant odor when threatened or crushed.
- Gathering Behavior: Similar to boxelder bugs, they often cluster on the sunny sides of homes before finding their way inside.
Potential Problems
Stink bugs do not bite or cause structural damage, but their odor makes them an unwelcome guest. Their presence can be a significant nuisance, especially when they emerge from their hiding spots during warmer winter days.
Prevention Tips
- Block Entryways: Thoroughly inspect and seal any potential entry points around your home, including gaps in siding, utility pipes, and windows.
- Avoid Crushing Them: If you find a stink bug indoors, avoid crushing it to prevent the release of its foul odor. Instead, gently sweep it into a dustpan and release it outside or vacuum it up.
- Turn Off Lights: Stink bugs are attracted to lights, so keep outdoor lighting to a minimum in the evenings.
Stay Proactive This Fall
As November settles in, taking a few proactive steps can make all the difference in keeping your home pest-free. By sealing entry points, maintaining a clean environment, and staying vigilant, you can prevent these common autumn pests from becoming your winter roommates.
If you find that you’re facing an infestation that’s too much to handle on your own, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals. A qualified pest control expert can identify the source of the problem and implement a targeted solution to protect your home and family.
