When the winter chill finally sets in across Alabama, it can be easy for homeowners to assume that pest activity grinds to a halt, much like mosquito and fly season. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. While mosquitoes, flies, ants, and many other warm-weather nuisances will begin to slow down, a different set of pests will take their place indoors and around your home’s wood structures. Winter wood loving insects like termites, spiders, and beetles are more than just an annoyance—they can also cause major threats to the structural integrity of your home and to the safety of your family.
At Steel City Pest, we know that winter pest control means a different type of pestcontrol response to tackle these wood-damaging and wood-dwelling pests. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll review the threats posed by these winter wood loving insects, termites, spiders, and beetles. We’ll also share strategies and tips from professional pest control experts to keep your home pest-free and protected this winter.
Why Winter Wood Loving Insects Are a Hidden Threat
Many homeowners are familiar with the pest problems of the warmer spring and summer months. But winter wood loving insects pose a huge threat to your home during winter, and here’s why:
- Winter wood loving insects like termites, spiders, and beetles tend to be less obvious than other seasonal pests like mosquitoes and ants.
- Termites, beetles, and other wood-boring insects burrow directly into your home’s wooden framework, which means that they can do massive damage before you even know they’re there.
- Spiders are prolific, and if left unchecked, their colonies can grow by the hundreds.
- Most of these winter wood loving insects don’t really slow down during the winter months. In fact, because they’re looking for dry, warm shelter, these pests are attracted to your home just like any other time of the year.
Termites: The Silent Destroyers
Termites are one of the most damaging of all winter wood loving insects. These hungry pests actively chew through your home’s wooden structures all year long, often causing thousands of dollars in damage before you even realize that you have a problem.
Why Termites Stay Active in Winter
Termites are unique in that they don’t go dormant during the winter. Termites that build colonies underground (subterranean termites) stay busy underground all year long, and other types of termites, like drywood termites, will simply move into your warm attic or basement for the winter.
In fact, Alabama’s mild winters do nothing to slow down the activities of termite colonies across the state.
Steel City Pest’s PestControl Response to Termites
- Inspection: Our trained experts come in and inspect your home from top to bottom. This includes the basement, crawl spaces, attics, and more.
- Baiting: We use advanced termite baiting systems to intercept termites and kill off entire colonies at the source.
- Termite Barriers: A liquid termiticide is sprayed around your foundation to create a chemical barrier, preventing future termite infestations.
With a multi-layered pestcontrol response to termites, Steel City Pest is able to make sure that your winter hideaway doesn’t become a free buffet for termites.
Spiders: Eight-Legged Winter Roommates
Spiders may not eat wood, but they are considered winter wood loving insects because they use the structures to hide in. From attic beams to basement nooks, spiders take up residence in the wood-lined, undisturbed corners of your home.
Why Spiders Multiply in Winter
Spiders are a winter pest because they come inside to hunt for warmth and prey. In the winter, spiders are particularly active because they’re hungry. So while they can help you cut down on other pests, a spider infestation can also be unsanitary and upsetting.
Steel City Pest’s PestControl Response to Spiders
- Web Removal: We remove webs, egg sacs, and any spiders we find in all corners and crevices.
- Sealing Entry Points: We will seal up any gaps around windows, doors, or other openings where spiders can enter.
- Repellents: Safe, non-toxic treatments will be applied to discourage spiders from returning.
Our tailored pestcontrol response from Steel City Pest is designed to both reduce spider populations as well as keep spiders away for good, maintaining a clean and healthy environment inside your home.
Beetles: The Wood-Boring Intruders
Wood-boring beetles, including powderpost beetles, can be a major pest during the colder months. These destructive wood-loving insects lay eggs in wood, and once the larvae hatch, they tunnel through beams and floorboards, slowly but surely weakening your home from the inside.
The Dangers of Wood-Boring Beetles
Wood-boring beetles can often be very difficult to spot until the infestation has progressed, and the structural damage of their feeding has already set in. Signs of beetle infestation include small exit holes, fine sawdust, or weakened wooden planks and support beams.
Steel City Pest’s PestControl Response to Beetles
- Species Identification: Different beetles will require different treatments. We can identify the type of beetle you are dealing with and begin treatment.
- Wood Treatment: Specialized wood preservatives can be applied to stop larvae from feeding and spreading further.
- Repair: In advanced cases, we can also repair or replace damaged sections of wood.
By combining effective treatment and repair with preventative measures, our pestcontrol response from Steel City Pest will protect your home against both current and future wood-boring beetle infestations.
Winter Pest-Proofing Tips for Homeowners
In addition to regular, professional pest control, there are a few things that every homeowner can do to avoid the threat of winter wood loving insects:
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect all doors, windows, and foundation cracks. Caulk or seal any openings.
- Firewood Storage: Keep firewood at least 20 feet away from your home, as firewood is a common carrier of termites and beetles.
- Reduce Moisture: Fix any leaks or standing water inside your home and use dehumidifiers to keep humidity low.
- Declutter: Keep your basement, garage, and attic clear of clutter and storage, making it less hospitable for pests to nest.
- Schedule Inspections: Get your home inspected professionally by a pest control company to catch problems early.
Steel City Pest Is the Best PestControl Response
At Steel City Pest, our team is trained to provide a specialized pestcontrol response during Alabama’s winters. Our approach targets winter wood loving insects, rather than more generic approaches that focus on summertime pests. We use targeted, effective treatments for termites, beetles, and spiders, as well as long-term preventative measures.
Our commitment to the environment, advanced inspection tools, and customer-first service means that your home is in safe hands during the winter, with Steel City Pest.
Conclusion: Stay One Step Ahead This Winter
Don’t be fooled by Alabama’s cold winter weather, when it comes to termites, beetles, and spiders, it’s time to get serious about winter pest control this season. Termites, spiders, and beetles are the three most active of all winter wood loving insects. But without a pestcontrol response to meet the challenge, these wood-loving, hidden invaders can sneak inside your home, weaken your home’s wood structures, and do major damage to your property and your comfort.
Steel City Pest is here to keep your home protected this winter. Our expert inspections, targeted treatments, and preventative services make sure that both today’s problems and tomorrow’s infestations stay outside, where they belong.
So as you settle down with a warm blanket and a cup of cocoa, let us take care of the pests this winter. With Steel City Pest, you can relax and enjoy the winter season with your loved ones, knowing that your home is protected against all wood-loving invaders.
