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Professional Overwintering Pest Management Chicago – Inspection, Consultation, And Estimate
It is crucial for every Chicago resident to know the physical characteristics utilized for identifying the overwintering pest. The inspect species that belong to this classification spend their winters in a dormant state that scientists refer to as a “deep sleep.” To avoid spending the cold winter outdoors, the overwintering pest starts infiltrating buildings in hopes of scoring warm, safe shelter.
Overwintering Pest Identifying Physical Characteristics
In Chicago, the overwintering pest is most active beginning in the late fall, hoping to gain entrance indoors. There is nothing worse for these insects than being outdoors when it is sleeting, snowing, and temperatures are in the single digits.
When there is nothing but unsuccessful infiltration attempts, the insects will shelter behind loose tree bark, in shrubs, and in cracks and crevices away from the elements.
Overwintering Pest Species – Most Commonly Found In Chicago!
Overwintering Pest – Box Elder Bug
The box elder bug is easily identified by its unique black red-outlined wings. The insects can be found in small- and medium-sized colonies near doors, windows, and exterior-to-interior crevices. They feed on leaves of the box elder, cherry, ash, and maple trees. These are not disease-transmitting diseases, making them less dangerous to humans than venomous insect species.
The adult grows up to 0.5 inches in length, allowing them to infiltrate homes via the tiniest opening. They do not bite or sting but do emit an intrusive odor when injured, stressed, and eradicated.
Overwintering Pest – Ladybug
The ladybug “Asian lady beetle” is easy to identify as well. Thanks to the yellow-, orange-, or red-black spotted shell that covers the wings, even the least inexperienced individual would face no issues identifying the insect. Here is another insect that emits a foul odor when threatened and injured.
Overwintering Pest – Cluster Fly
The cluster fly is no easily identified, as it shares many of the same physical characteristics as the common housefly. Cluster fly larvae feed on earthworms until they reach maturity, at which point, the insect becomes totally independent. Like all overwintering pests, the cluster fly does not favor the cold winter temperatures outdoors. Not all home infiltration attempts are successful, forcing the insect to seek shelter in firewood and lumber piles, behind loose tree bark, and on the exterior of building structures.
Cluster flies have been linked to foodborne illnesses associated with contaminated food. The insect ingests contaminated food, which is evacuated from the body through a process known as “regurgitation.” With each landing, the insect regurgitates contaminated food on a surface. If the surface happens to be a place where food is prepared, foodborne illnesses are inevitable.
Overwintering Pests – Leaf-Footed Pine Seed Bug
Unlike most insect species, the cluster fly breeds once a year. The adult grows up to 0.75 inches in length. The body is a dark brownish/blackish coloration, with three sets of legs and two antennas. The diet consists of seeds from plants and trees and cones from the pine tree.
To avoid spending the harsh winter outdoors, the leaf-footed pine seed bug initiates home infiltration attempts in late fall. This behavior continues until the insect is successful or winter sets in. Not all of these insects will be lucky enough to infiltrate a house, commercial building, or public facility. But, overwintering still occurs regardless of where the insect ends up spending the winter season.
As soon as the weather outdoors begins to warm, the leaf-footed pine seed bug will begin to emerge from its hiding place.
Overwintering Pests – Stink Bug
Stink bugs are one of the most problematic overwintering pests in the United States. Although they’re only half an inch, they’re still problematic. If you don’t get rid of them carefully, they’re going to release a foul odor and make your home stink. Stink bugs have a back that is shaped like a shield. Stink bugs are native to Asia, but they’ve been impacted Americans for several years. During spring and summer, they’ll stay outside so you won’t have to worry about them unless you have crops and plants.
When it gets cold, the Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs will look for ways to enter your home. Again, don’t crush or stress them out because they’ll release a foul odor.
Common Signs You Have An Overwintering Pest Problem
Are you concerned that you have an overwintering pest problem? You might. You need to find out as quickly as possible so you can fix the issue before it worsens. Plus, you have to remember that overwintering pests are going to return again and again. If you don’t stop them from entering, they’ll infest your home again next winter. You can confirm an overwintering pest by waiting until the warm weather returns. When it gets hot, the bugs will emerge and go outside. If you find a lot of overwintering pests in your home during spring, you likely had an overwintering pest problem.
Preventing Infestations By Overwintering Pests
Work hard to keep overwintering pests out of your residential dwelling. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to stop pests from entering your dwelling. Below, you’ll find out where overwintering pests are entering your home and what you can use to keep them out.
Screen Gaps And Other Small Entry Points
You’ll need to check for small entry points around your home. Any small gap or crack will be used by cockroaches, rodents, and bedbugs. Eliminating these gaps using a sealant is a good way to keep pests out of your home.
Using A Protective Barrier Treatment
You’ll want to use a protective barrier treatment because it’ll make a big difference in the long run. Just remember to team up with a qualified exterminator because they’ll use industrial-strength chemicals to keep bugs away from your property. Over-the-counter products won’t cut it. Contact us to take advantage of our protective exterior barrier treatments as soon as possible.
Places Where Overwintering Pests Enter your Home
Bricks/Mortar
First, you should check the brick and mortar joints around your home. There is a good chance that gaps will be found at the top of the bricks. The bricks have gaps so bugs will be able to climb inside of your attic at the top. You need to seal these gaps using a sealant to prevent this from happening.
Window Frames
When windows are installed, the installer will generally caulk and seal the tops and sides. They do this to prevent water from entering the home and destroying the wood. Unfortunately, they may leave the bottom unsealed and this could let bugs slip through. Seal the bottom of the window using a caulk.
Fascia
There might be gaps near the fascia boards and clapboards. These gaps will be big enough for small bugs and pests to enter through. With that being said, you should stuff a foam insulating cord into the gap.
Soffit
You’ll also need to check attic vents and soffit. Make sure there aren’t any gaps here. If there are, you’ll need to fill the gaps because bugs can squeeze through.
Utility
It is a good idea to check your utility openings to ensure that they’re properly secured. Check the plumbing pipes where they enter your home. Then, you’ll want to check the electrical cables entering your home. Make sure that these gaps are properly sealed. If you find any small gaps or holes around the utility openings, seal them. You can use used pot scrubbers to deal with the gaps in question.
Sealing Gaps To Keep Pests Out Of Your Home
Using Exclusion Materials
Our company recommends using exclusion materials to keep overwintering pests out of your home. Using these materials can help pest-proof your home. Exclusion materials can block overwintering pests and other pests from entering your home. These pest-proofing products are available at many hardware and pest-proofing stores. If you want year-round protection, buy and use exclusion materials.
Pick The Right Materials
Remember to pick the right materials for the surface in question. If you’re sealing brick or another material that won’t move, using caulk is recommended. However, some surfaces will expand or shrink due to temperature changes. If you’re dealing with these surfaces, you need to use a sealant to seal the gap.
Other Exclusion Materials To Use
You’ll also want to use a handful of other exclusion materials.
- Foam – Using foam insulation is recommended. Don’t use the spray type because it is too hard to clean up.
- Aluminum Screens – Using aluminum screens can help seal gaps of various sizes.
- Hardware Cloth – You’ll also want to use hardware cloth because it works like a strong screen.
- Pot Scrubbers – You can always use pot scrubbers to fill small gaps.
Do you need help eliminating a pest infestation swiftly? Contact us and we’ll fix the problem for you in a hurry. Be sure to take advantage of our free pest inspection and consultation. We offer these services per appointment only. If you submit your request today, we can have a licensed exterminator dispatched to your home within the next 48 hours.
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