As the cold weather has well and truly set in, we can turn our attention to what pests we are likely to encounter during the remaining winter months and the following warmer months in spring.
It goes without saying that different pests prefer different weather conditions. Lots of them tend to prefer warmer conditions which, on the face of it, should mean we see their numbers reduce in winter. However, in some cases it means they actually become more of a nuisance as they are drawn towards homes in search of warmth.
It’s also important to note that weather is becoming more unpredictable, and instances of extreme conditions are becoming more common. This can have a substantial effect on pest populations and behaviour, so it is good to be as prepared as possible, all year round.
Rats and Mice (Winter & Spring)
Although these rodents are a nuisance all year round, they can become a heightened problem during the winter months as they prefer warmer conditions and will actively search out areas of warmth such as homes or outbuildings.
Winter also brings about a reduction in the availability of food sources for them. Crops in fields and fruit on trees are sparse, so they will look for alternative sources of food. These alternative sources are often human made, such as food stored in outbuildings or waste that has not been disposed of appropriately.
Along with a reduction in plants available for them to feed on, the loss of vegetation also means there are fewer sheltered travel routes for them (as they will often use overgrown vegetation to travel between nests and food sources). Instead, they may look for sheltered travel routes such as pipes, debris or gutters which can draw them closer to human buildings.
Flooding can also increase the risks of these rodents visiting your property as the water can flush them out from underground nesting sites and force them to find new shelters such as in barns or sheds. The flood water can also cause sewers to overflow, pushing them out from underground and seeking a new home above ground. Given flooding is becoming more frequent and severe, it would be prudent to stay vigilant during these times.
Squirrels (Winter)
Squirrels are not widely known for creating a nuisance on someone’s property; however, they can cause problems.
As the colder weather sets in, they will seek out warmth which can lead them to homes and buildings. This can be a particular problem when they choose to enter your home and build a nest in your loft. Lofts are great for squirrels as they are rarely visited by humans, are warm, often have plenty of materials to make a nest and can have direct access to the outside world via small holes near the roof.
Given that they will leave their droppings wherever they so choose and will chew through pretty much anything they can get their paws on (which is especially a problem if they get their hands on wires or structural beams), their presence shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Spiders (Winter)
Spiders like to be outside, however during the colder months of the year they will seek out warmer conditions, often in homes. A few spiders may not be a huge issue, however if they start laying eggs, the problem can get out of hand quickly.
As the spring arrives, spiders will look to head outside again.
Do always bear in mind that species native to the UK are largely harmless, so most efforts to get rid of them are done on the basis of a fear of spiders (arachnophobia).
Cockroaches (Winter & Spring)
Like rodents, cockroaches are a problem year-round, however they prefer warmer conditions and will actively seek these out during the winter months, causing them to invade homes (even more so than summer months).
Checking behind anything that produces heat is a good place to start – appliances, boilers, washing machines etc. as they will try to find warm, secluded places. It would also be prudent to check areas where they may have access to food, such as cupboards or larders.
Insects (Spring)
As we enter the warmer months and put the winter behind us, we will start to see more insects emerge from their winter slumber.
Ants will normally be one of the first to start marching around your property. They reduce their activity in winter and as their movement decreases, their nests get shut off. These will reopen as the temperatures warm, and the worker ants head out in search of food.
Wasps will also begin to make an appearance which can be a real issue for those who are allergic to their stings. As the warmer weather comes in, they will head out in search of food and look for areas that they can start building their nests. Given their nests won’t have been built yet, it can be a good time to get on top of them, if they are on your property, before a full-scale colony is there in the summer.
Flies will also be making their comeback in spring and will be out and about searching for food after a long winter. Cluster flies are a particular species that, as the name suggests, lay dormant in clusters and often in areas such as attics. As these awaken, they can create a real problem for the homeowner.
Birds (Spring)
Lots of species of birds are not a problem at all, and in fact lots of keen gardeners encourage them to visit their property by leaving out bird feed. However, some types will look to roost in and around homes which can cause unsightly nests as well as droppings being splattered all over your property.
The warmer months tend to be when you’ll find these birds nesting and it can be a problem all the way through until September.
Conclusion
Different species of pests can prefer different weather conditions. Some thrive in colder temperatures whilst others prefer the warmth. Some, of course, are a problem year-round.
During the winter months, lots of species of insects tend are inactive, however will become more prevalent as the weather warms and we enter spring. Other pests such as rodents also prefer warmer conditions, however, will look to seek out warmth in homes during the colder months, counter-intuitively making them even more of a problem as temperatures dip! Scarce sources of food and more extreme weather such as flooding can also increase the chances of rodents becoming a problem in the winter.
It’s always good to keep track of which pests are more likely to be a problem in which months of the year. You can then keep an eye out for them and take steps to prevent them, which is a whole lot easier than taking steps to get rid of them once they’ve invaded your property.
At The Pest Collective, we supply a range of high-quality DIY pest control products that can help deter or get rid of these unwanted visitors throughout the year. From insecticides and rodenticides to traps and poisons, we’ll have a solution to whatever pest-related problem you face.