Bugs and small animals will be looking for warmth in winter. Some bugs and animals will be searching for a safe place, food, and mates. Sometimes, they find all these things in our homes. To stop your house from becoming a perfect place for them, find them early and keep your home safe.

Here’s how to stop pests before they become a problem.

What kinds of critters should you look out for?

Insects like to hide in the wet parts of your home. If your home is close to many trees, you might find centipedes and millipedes. They can go to your basement, bathroom, and other wet parts of your house. Bugs and ants, and also cockroaches and spiders, might hide in your walls. The worst types of insects are bedbugs and ticks. Some might come into your home when the weather is warm and stay until winter.

If you see animals like mice, rats, and roaches in your yard, they might be living in the leaves and plants. They might also be using your basement as their home during winter.

Should I worry?

Some bugs, like centipedes and millipedes, do not harm people. They are helpful because they eat smaller bugs. But, other bugs like ladybugs, boxelder bugs, and termites can bite. They can also leave ugly marks and bad smells. Ticks and cockroaches are dangerous. They can carry bacteria that can make you sick.

Rats and mice can also be harmful. They can carry a sickness called rabies. They can also destroy things in your house. They can eat your cables or make holes. They also leave bad smells and ugly marks from their poop and pee.

How do I prevent pests from coming in?

1. Keep your house clean

   Mess makes your house look good to pests. Mice begin to gather food (leftover food, paper, and other trash) in the fall. If you have a lot of these, mice will stay. Remove weeds, grass, and leaves. Take away trash from your garage so rats will not hide there. Pick up trash around your area. Make sure your trash bins have lids that fit tightly.
   Inside your house:

   • Check closets in the basement or bathroom cabinets. Keep them clean and dry.
   • Clean your bathroom often.
   • Don’t keep trash like paper files, fabric scraps, or broken toys in your basement.
   • Spiders and other bugs can live inside things you don’t use like vases and shoes. Wrap them or put them in a bag.
   • Put your unused clothes, shoes, and other items in containers or bags. Clean them before you store them.
   • Keep your kitchen counters and floors free of small pieces of food.
   • Keep food in metal or glass containers in your cabinet or pantry.
   • Clean your carpets and rugs in all the areas of your house often.

2. Close holes and openings

   See if walls, corners, gutters, and pipes have holes. Pests can come in through these. Keep windows, pet doors, and chimneys shut during winter. Use a hard-setting mixture to fill in small breaks or holes.

3. Use pest control

   Mouse droppings, chewed food, and bug bites are signs you have pests. You can use traps, like poisoned baits or sticky traps. Put them in areas that your kids or pets cannot reach. If you decide to use bug killer, make sure you are using the right product for the type of pest you have. You can ask for advice from your local hardware or supplies store. Follow all label directions. Read Use pesticides safely for more tips. If you live in an apartment, tell your building manager before using measures that may affect your neighbours.

4. Stay watchful

   Keep surroundings clean all year round. Look at your home from time to time to make sure that everything is closed and safe. If you’re still worried about pests in your home, ask a pest control expert for help. Talk to your building manager if you live in an apartment.

 
Sources: How to keep creatures and critters out of your home as it gets colder, RJ Skinner, CBC Life; Rats and mice, Canada.ca; and Common pests that invade the home during the winter season, Pest World.org. Accessed November 5, 2018.