Why Is Winter Pest Control Important In Sydney

Winter Pest Control in Sydney
Winter Pest Control Sydney

Winter Pest Control Sydney

 

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To bust a common misconception, winter is a major pest season. Just because you can’t see flies flying, you can’t feel mosquitoes biting & you are not disturbed by the site of cockroaches or spiders does not mean your home is free from pests.

When the temperature drops outside, especially overnight and early morning in Sydney, the bugs and rodents get cold and worried, so they will begin to seek shelter from the harsh external temperatures.

Your home becomes their winter sanctuary since it is warm & full of food, which is perfect for pests.

What does overwintering mean?

 

The term overwintering simply means to survive the winter. Overwintering pests are the pests that are seeking warmth to either survive the colder months or the pests that enter a period of hibernation.

It is common to see pests during winter that are moving into a higher traffic living area. The areas that attract the most sunlight or become the warmer areas in your home are common places that pests during winter are seen.

The insects that hibernate are more than likely to stay hidden during the colder months, but once the weather starts to warm up spring comes around these bugs will begin to emerge.

The dangers of waiting until pests emerge in the warmer months, is the level of infestation where a small issue could have been resolved quickly instead of dealing with a full-blown infestation which could put your families’ health at risk and cause damage to your home and belongings.

What are some Common winter pests – Winter Pest Control Sydney

 

Rodents

 

Rats & mice like us seek warmth and comfort during the colder months in Sydney. Many homes opt to light a wood fire to warm their homes and rodents can easily cosy up to the many possible hiding places in your home.

As rats and mice make their nests inside wall cavities, roof voids and other warm dry places spotting their nests may be difficult.

Most people realise they have a rodent issue either by seeing their droppings, actually seeing the rat or mouse or seeing the destruction they have left behind in their travels.

The damage that rats and mice can cause go beyond just getting into your food, as their teeth grow throughout their life they need to gnaw (chew on things to keep their teeth short). As rats and mice are not picky with what they choose to chew on and have been known to chew on items such as timber, cladding and electrical wiring, which increases the risk of fires.

Termites

 

Termites or also commonly known as white ants do not hibernate during winter. They remain active all year round and can cause serious damage to your home.

German Cockroaches

 

German cockroaches are a serious problem across Australia, and as they need easy access to water and food their preferred residence is your beloved kitchen!

As they have a sneaky nature they can often go unnoticed as they do prefer to venture out at night when all the lights are off and they are able to find many hiding places.

Winter is an important time for cockroaches as this is when they breed. At the start of winter, the sight of one or two cockroaches may not be alarming to some by spring or summer you may have a full-blown infestation on your hands.

Further Reading

How Do Rats & Mice Survive Winter

Rat & Mice Droppings Sydney

Rat & Mice Control In Sydney

Rodents

Termite Control Sydney

Is It Time For A Termite Inspection

Termite Inspection Sydney

Cockroaches In Sydney

 

Pest Control Today SydneyIf you are concerned that your home has become a desired home to winter pests click to call or  contact with us via the contact form available at our website.

 

Pest Control Today

How Do Rats & Mice Survive Winter?

How Do Rats & Mice Survive Winter?

How Do Rats & Mice Survive Winter?

Rats & Mice in Sydney

Need Rodent Pest Control ?

 

When temperatures get low and food gets scarce, rats must find a way to keep up the same lifestyle they enjoy in the Spring and Summer.

Unlike other pests that hibernate during the winter months. As the weather cools and the normal food source for the rats & mice become limited, they enter your home, looking for warmth and food.

Pest Control Today have noticed a change in the behaviour and breeding of rats and mice where they are becoming more of an issue all year round. This has mainly pinned to the increase in construction in and around Sydney.

Each year, when winter arrives, we know the calls about rat infestations will increase.

So…. How do they do it?

Storing Food Resources

 

Rats are not able to fatten themselves up, like other mammals, but they so prepare themselves for winter in other ways.

In Autumn or even late summer, rats and mice become more aggressive in their pursuit of food. Instead of eating opportunistically, they start seeking out extra food in which we believe they may store any extra food they find.

Rats will eat anything, including garbage, so they have a great range. Rats will drag their food findings back to an area they can access easily and leave it there for later.

A favoured food item for a rat may include :

  • Bird seed
  • Pet food
  • Paper
  • Nuts
  • Compost waste
  • Fabrics

Mice like to collect fallen bird seed, so if you have a bird feeder, it’s a good idea not to keep it near the house.

Mice & Rat Burrows

 

Mice & rats need to stay warm, but luckily for them, they are excellent diggers.

They will seek out a structure like a rock, wall, or fence, and dig a burrow beneath or against it.

We recommend looking for small holes against Air Conditioning boxes and electrical units near your home & along fences.

Rodent burrows are usually shallow and small, with one entrance and exit. They also don’t spend all their time in their burrows, they prefer to venture out to seek food or to upgrade their shelter.

Rats and mice would prefer to use your house for shelter rather than burrowing. If they can find a way into your home, they will use it every time.

Be on the lookout for ways rats could enter your house, such as by eating through insulation or by running along utility lines.

Rat & Mice Nests

 

Nesting for rats and mice combines both their food storage and their ability to burrow. Rat nests are very similar to bird nests, but dirtier, disorganised, and on the ground. Rats will drag whatever they can find to a secluded place and bunch it all together.

The location of the nest is more important for rats than the material. They will seek out warm, dark places where they won’t be disturbed by humans or other predators.

Their ideal location would also include areas that are most where they can gain easy access to water.

The secret to prevent rats from nesting in or around your home is to deprive them of stuff they like.

Did you know…

 

Mice can sneak into cars to stay warm during the winter?

Or that…

Mice can leap up to four feet vertically?

Entrance Points

 

The best way to ensure you keep mice and rats out of your home is to look for any possible entries, no matter how small & seal up these entrance points. Ensure you maintain good cleaning habits, storage and organisation of stored goods.

Mice & rats will do almost anything to get out of the cold, which means you should be vigilant in keeping them out.

Further Reading

Rodents

Mice & Rat Control Sydney

Mice & Rat Droppings

Pest Control Today SydneyIf you end up with a rat or mice infestation in your home this winter–don’t panic!

Click to call the professionals at Pest Control Today on 0416 070 587 or contact with us via the contact form available at our website.

 

Pest Control Today