With the changing leaves, crisper temperatures, and fall festivities starting up, you may be thinking Long Island’s peskiest pests are on their way out! In fact, it’s a common misconception that insects “die off” during the chillier months of the year. Today, we’re breaking down the truth on where pests go during the fall and winter, which critters you’ll start to see more of, and why an annual pest control plan is always the answer!
Where Do Insects Go During Cold Months?
As mentioned, you may have heard time and time again that pests like ants, roaches, and spiders “die off” or leave your home once temperatures on Long Island start to drop. That’s just not the case!
In the fall and winter, many pests will actually become even more active inside your home, because it’s cold outside to them, too! Many insects and other household pests will utilize any available nook or cranny to make their way into your home for a cozy place to enjoy autumn.
What is Overwintering?
Because many insects are exothermic, which means they rely on external sources (like your home’s heater) to provide the heat they need in order to survive, the process of overwintering is common. Overwintering is a way in which pests essentially wait out the cold winter months that are coming through methods of hibernation and migration.
One example of overwintering would be roaches, which are exothermic pests. During colder months, roaches will move indoors to areas like your basement or crawl space in search of a comfortable place to wait out the chilly weather.
Fall Pests on Long Island 
There are several pests on Long Island that are synonymous with fall; we’re breaking down five of the pests we get the most calls about this time of year.
Mice
On Long Island, we see two key species of mice this time of year: deer mice and house mice.
Deer Mice
Deer mice are generally found in fields, wooded areas, and farmlands. Compared to house mice, deer mice (or white-footed mice as they’re often called instead), are less likely to invade your home. When they do, they’re usually found nesting behind walls and inside attics and chimneys. They’re known for chewing through wires and wood and can destroy gardens and landscaping, in addition to contaminating food.
House Mice
House mice are commensal rodents; this means they are at least partially reliant on humans for food, water, and shelter. In homes, they’ll hide behind walls, in attics, basements, crawlspaces, and behind appliances. These critters are dangerous to the structural integrity of buildings and will chew through wires, pipes, insulation, flooring, and even drywall.
Norway Rats
Norway rats are another rodent that’s commonly seen in Long Island homes during the fall. They’re terrible climbers, so if they do get into your house, it’s likely they’re going to be in the basement, on the ground level, under piles of debris, or in your crawl space. Norway rats have extremely strong jaws and teeth and can chew through virtually anything. For these pests, no pipes, flooring, drywall, or personal belongings are off-limits to their chompers.
Squirrels
Squirrels are another furry critter many Long Island homeowners battle during the fall. When temperatures drop, they often enter homes through roof edges, vents, missing shingles, or any other opportunity they see! They’re known to chew wires, building materials, insulation, rafters, furniture, and personal belongings once inside.
Why You Need Annual Pest Control Services
Not only does year-round pest control provide you with 24/7 peace of mind, but it also eliminates unnecessary stress a sudden pest infestation in your home can cause. With regular pest control services and inspections of your home by the best pest control technicians on Long Island who are highly trained, you can rest assured you’ll be alerted to any risks on your property that may be increasing your chances of pests this fall, such as clogged gutters or cracks in your home’s foundation.
Sleep easy this fall knowing you’re not dealing with pest invasions. With year-round pest control, you can always be sure that pests won’t be a problem. At Suburban Exterminating, our trained exterminators will eliminate existing pest populations and work with you to prevent future pest infestations, but best of all? Our Annual Pest Protection Plans come with unlimited callbacks if you need extra visits under our Pest Free Guarantee. If the pests return, so do we!
For help choosing the right pest control plan for you and your family, call or text (631/516) 864-6900.
