As the weather gets colder, be aware of these pests that might intrude your Texas home
As the warm weather withers away, creepy crawlies will try to find warmth in the walls of your cozy home.
Both the Farmers Almanac and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are predicting above-average temperatures for the Texas fall. This warmer weather is ideal for Texas pests, but not for long.
“And as you prepare yourself for the coming chilly weather, behind the scenes, many pests are working hard to invade your home in preparation for winter. Typically, as you retreat indoors to escape the chilly conditions outdoors, bugs are doing so too,” says Buckaroo Pest Protection.
In North Texas, there are not just insects but also rodents.
Here’s a full list of extra guests you may see in your home.
Fall pests in Texas
Rodents
Roof rat (vegetarian, light-colored) and Norway rat (carnivorous, black).
Very good at squeezing themselves through the smallest openings.
Damage furniture, clothes, electrical wires.
Litter with other food crumbs and their droppings.
Some can be bacteria-ridden.
Cockroaches
American Cockroach (reddish-brown), German cockroach (tan or black) and the Brown-banded cockroach (brown).
They contaminate countertops, sinks and food with bacteria and sometimes diseases like typhoid fever and salmonellosis.
Can trigger asthma from their skin shed and waste.
One means you are hosting many.
Spiders
Brown recluse (brown, venomous), Black widows (black with red hourglass), yellowish spiders with brown details.
May bite to defend oneself or out of fear.
Makes webs in the corners of homes.
Crickets
Camel, ground and house.
Loud chirping.
Feed on clothing, fruits, vegetables and grains.
Can stain fabric with their waste.
Breed rapidly.
Stink Bugs
Foul smell when threatened or smooshed, that can also stain.
One in your home means you may have a hoard.
Crane Flies
They look like mosquitoes but don’t suck blood or bite.
Can damage your lawn from their larvae.
Attracted to lights.
They have a short life span, so you may find a pile of them dead in your home.
How to prevent pests from living with you
The National Pest Management Association lays out 10 tips to prepare your home for the cold weather and to keep out pests.
“Pests such as rats, mice, cockroaches and some species of spiders have life cycles longer than a year, meaning they need to find shelter during the winter to survive,” according to NPMA.
Screen attic vents, mail slots, pet doors, chimney openings, and any openings to the outside.
Keep basements and attics dry. Pests love a moist area.
Seal using caulk or steel wood all cracks and crevices. NPMA says that some rodents can fit through pipes the size of a dime.
Keep your kitchen clean with well-sealed containers. Pests love crumbs and garbage.
Replace and repair weather stripping around doors and windows.
Keep firewood at least 20 feet away from your house and shrubs next to the house trimmed.
Replace and repair door sweeps or any damaged screens.
Shake out anything left outside, including packages, before bringing it into your home.
Avoid leaving out your pet’s food dishes for a while. All food is good for pests.
Make sure your outdoor draining system is running properly.