Wasp and Bees in cold weather.
Wintertime has its advantages. Holiday cheer, snow days, and most importantly: no wasps, or at least that is what many people think.
It’s true that wasps are not active during the winter. Wasp queens hibernate during cold months and return in the spring. Because of this, you won’t normally get the trouble out of wasps during the fall and winter.
However, that only applies to wasp nests outdoors. If you have a wasp infestation in your home, you may face some serious issues.
Your home is an ideal refuge for hibernating wasps. They often establish nests in attics, thriving in the artificial warmth. While they usually stay inactive during the entire winter, the infestation is a ticking time bomb.
When a warm day comes, even in the middle of the winter, the wasps will “wake up” and begin to explore. They are attracted to heat, so the pests will typically head for the warmest part of the house such as the kitchen or living room. To get there, the worker wasps burrow through the wall or ceiling, infiltrating the rest of the home.
Homeowners are shocked to wake up one day with a major wasp infestation already inside their home.
It’s not a pretty picture. In fact, it looks like this:
If that doesn’t look like a situation you want to be in, here’s what you should do:
1- Have your home inspected before spring. Pest problems in your home now will only continue to grow. By having your home inspected during the winter, infestations can be identified and removed while the pests are still inactive.
2- Keep the exterior of your home in good repair. Pests often infiltrate homes through cracks or gaps on the outside of the structure. Make sure any damage to the roof, doors, windows, and vents is handled promptly.
3- DON’T assume your home is pest-free. Remember that there is no correlation between pest activity and cleanliness. While a dirty or cluttered home is a better environment for pests, keeping your home clean and neat will not keep them out. BUT…
4- Take steps to prevent pest activity by mitigating conducive conditions on your property. Conducive conditions are environmental factors that make it easier for pest infestations to grow. For example, a growing wasp nest needs food to survive, so you don’t want to make their job easier by leaving out the food they can scavenge. Even crumbs can provide a hearty meal, so be sure to keep things clean.
With many spending a lot more time at home this year, pest problems are more troublesome than ever before. Be sure to protect your home year-round with regular inspections and treatments.
If you are dealing with wasps or have any other pest problems, Canton Termite has the solution. We have decades of experience handling pest problems of every shape and size. Call us TODAY at 770-479-1598 and schedule a FREE inspection!
By: Tim
