Dial Environmental Blog
Dial Environmental, with service areas throughout New Jersey, knows that the weather in our beautiful state can be tricky. From the torrential rains, freezing cold and warm, mild summers, Garden State weather seems to be always changing.
Most homeowners are aware of the effect this has on their vehicles and buildings, but they might not be aware of how pests, those insects and animals that love to try to set up in our homes, are affected by the weather we experience in New Jersey.
Today we’re going to talk about how our various weather patterns can affect the behaviors of some of the most common pests in New Jersey, and how you, as a homeowner, can help protect your property as the seasons change.
Spring and Summer
It’s no surprise that warmer weather results in high reproduction rates among pests. Depending on the type of pest, their behavior might change.
Insects and Arachnids
Fleas, ticks and other insects respond to the warmer weather by being more active. While they might not take up residence in your home, you’re more likely to see them as they forage. This is a problem since an insect that finds your house habitable during the warmer months might just decide to stay for the winter and bring all of their friends with them.
Ticks hatch in the spring and summer and might find their way onto you or your pets as they cling to tall grass. These very small hatchlings are about the size of a pinhead and are difficult to detect with casual observance. One particular tick, the Dog tick, resides in New Jersey and has been shown to reside in homes during winter.
Bees, wasps and other flying, stinging insects tend to swarm during the summer and may find places to build their nests around your rooflines or even in your drainage pipes.
Rodents and Mammals
Racoons, squirrels and possums all give birth during the warmer months. This could lead to them finding a spot in your attic or basement in which to build a secure, protected nest. Once litters of rodents are born in your home, they are unlikely to leave on their own.
Fall and Winter
Insects and Arachnids
While most insects disappear for the winter, spiders and cave crickets become more active. As they typically consume other insects, they have to become more aggressive in their hunt for their next meal. You’re likely to notice these pests more during the winter months. New Jersey is home to just a few venomous spiders including the Brown Recluse, Black Widow, and the Sac Spider.
Rodents and Mammals
Just as in summer, rodents and other mammals might invade your home looking for a cozy space to live during winter. Setting traps, sealing all entry points and ensuring all of your external vent covers are in good repair can help prevent this from occurring.
Dial Environmental is always there to help you protect your home and offer both preventative treatments to help deter pests and pest removal programs that are carried out by our highly-trained, certified technicians. To find out more about how we can help you keep your home pest-free, contact Dial Environmental today. We’d be glad to develop an individual plan to suit your needs.