While winters in Las Vegas might be mild compared to other parts of the country, there are still plenty of frigid days and nights. Chilly outdoor temperatures often lead pests to seek warmth, shelter, and food indoors – and there’s a good chance that your home is quite the attractive abode.
Knowing what to expect during the winter months can help you pest-proof your home, and once you understand the signs of wintertime pests, you can be proactive about getting rid of them.
Pigeons
As temperatures fall across the U.S., birds tend to migrate to warmer places. In Las Vegas, this means that hundreds of pigeons could descend upon your home or business.
Pigeons like to roost on a building’s overhangs and gutters because they offer safety from predators and protection from cold winds. While you may think pigeons are relatively harmless, the mess they make is only a portion of the problem. Unfortunately, these birds also carry diseases and parasites. This makes it critical to find a specialist who handles pigeon control in Las Vegas as soon as you start to notice a problem.
Mice and Rats
Cold weather often leads mice and rats to seek shelter in dark areas around your home. You may find them up in your attic, under cupboards, or even out in the open. If you see droppings or gnaw marks in your home, this is a pretty good sign that you’re dealing with a rodent problem.
Sealing off any gaps, cracks, or other potential entrances can help keep these critters out of your home. Since they prefer to winter in places with plenty of food and water, you can also deter them from getting too cozy by regularly sweeping and vacuuming your floors, taking out the trash, and storing your food in airtight containers.
Cockroaches
German cockroaches are common in Las Vegas and tend to be particularly troublesome in the winter months. They often come into homes attached to food boxes, shopping bags, or other items brought home from stores. They’ll stick around if they have access to food, so keeping things clean can help you avoid an infestation.
Unfortunately, German cockroaches reproduce rapidly and once they’re established, they’re very difficult to get rid of. For this reason, you’ll want to call a pest control professional any time you think you may have these bugs in your home.
Spiders
Just like the other pests discussed above, spiders tend to come into homes looking for warmth. While most spiders are harmless, there are a few that can cause painful bites and other serious problems. This includes Black Widows, Hobo Spiders, and Brown Recluse.
Spiders can get into very tiny holes and tend to come into homes through damaged screens, gaps around doors and windows, and open dryer vents. They like dark, quiet places, so cleaning up clutter can help you avoid creating inviting hiding spaces.
Bed Bugs
Cold winter weather might make you want to cuddle up in your nice, warm bed – but bed bugs may have the same idea! Bed bug infestations have been an ongoing problem in Las Vegas and often get worse during the holiday season when more people are traveling. To help protect yourself, always inspect your luggage and any other items you travel with before you bring them into your home. If you think you may have bed bugs, be sure to call a bed bug exterminator right away.
Trust Progressive Pest Control for Your Extermination Needs
Whether you’re looking for pigeon control in Las Vegas or you need someone to handle your rodent, spider, or bug problems, you can count on Progressive Pest Control. Don’t wait for a small pest problem to become a major infestation. Give us a call today!