Overwintering Pests

Professional Overwintering Pest Control Kansas City Missouri

Overwintering pest is a classification utilized in reference to insect species that enter a hibernation-like “overwintering” state before or immediately after the winter season sets in. These insect species overwinter each year throughout their lifespan. This process is part of a natural initiative to protect all overwintering insect species from extinction. Winter is harsh for insects, as well as wild animals, which is why they live in a dormant state throughout the season.

What Are The Most Common Overwintering Pest Sightings In Kansas City?

Overwintering pests can be found all over North America, including Kansas City, Missouri. These insect species are more active beginning in the late fall and late spring than any other part of the year. In the late fall, the overwintering pest is preparing for the upcoming winter season, in the late spring, the insects are preparing for the breeding season.

Overwintering Pest – Box Elder “Boxelder” Bug

The box elder bug is extremely easy to identify, thanks to its most distinguishable physical characteristic. A red outline on a solid black backdrop is how the box elder bug’s wings look. Each black wing is outlined in bright red is how scientists and Kansas City exterminators identify the box elder bug.

The adult grows up to 0.5 (½) inches in length. They utilize tiny crevices and other openings to infiltrate buildings before the overwintering state begins.

Overwintering Pest – Ladybug “Asian Lady Beetle”

The ladybug also spelled “lady bug”, is a tiny insect that is similar to a tortoise or turtle. The tiny insect carries around a shell that offers a layer of protection from accidents. The shell varies between red, orange, and yellow, scattered with tiny pinpoint-sized black polka dots.

Another distinguishable feature that is not only utilized for identification purposes but also as a safety mechanism. A pyranine-based secretion is emitted when the ladybug becomes stressed or injured. Pyranine also stains fabric, painted surfaces, and upholstery.

Overwintering Pest – Cluster Fly

The earthworm parasite known as the cluster fly shares many of the same physical characteristics as the common housefly. This overwintering pest notoriously spreads disease through bites and contaminated feces. Like the common housefly, the cluster fly regurgitates with every landing.

Cluster fly-borne diseases include anthrax, Tuberculosis (TB), typhoid, and parasitic worms. When the cluster fly, drops contaminated regurgitation and feces in their victim’s food supply, there is a major risk for foodborne illness, such as salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli.

Cluster fly infestation is extremely common, resulting in major messes and health risks for all the home’s occupants.

Overwintering Pest – Leaf-Footed Pine Seed Bug

The leaf-footed pine seed bug grows up to 0.75 (¾) inches in length. The body is dull brown with three sets of legs and two antennas. The insect feeds on sap from seeds and cones from the pine tree. When home infiltration is not an option, the leaf-footed pine seed bug takes shelter underneath loose tree bark, shrubs, and conifer tree.

The leaf-footed pine seed bug is very easy to detect, thanks to its large size. You can see them from a short distance away, hiding in trees and shrubs.

Overwintering Pest – Brown Marmorated Stink Bug “BMSB”

The 0.5-inch Brown Marmorated Stink Bug “stinkbug” has distinguishing physical characteristics that are utilized for identification purposes. Shell-like wings, when closed look takes on the appearance of a shield. The wings are covered with thin shell-like material to add protection when landing, fighting off predators, and evading capture or eradication.

The wings have a marbled “marmorated” design that also covers the head and halfway down the legs. The diet consists of apples, pears, and other fruit orchard trees, various vegetable crops, and other plants.

When home infiltration is not possible, the stinkbug takes refuge in bushes, trees, and high grass throughout the winter.

Most Common Signs Of An Overwintering Pest Infestation

Some overwintering pests colonize, resulting in a massive infestation. The stinkbug, cluster fly, and box elder bug are just a few examples. These insects are notorious for colonizing outdoors and indoors. They utilize exterior-to-interior openings to infiltrate commercial and industrial buildings.

The most common sign of an overwintering pest infestation is live insects. If you detect live overwintering pests in your home, there could be an infestation in the future. In many cases, an infestation involves more than one overwintering pest infestation.

What Is The Most Effective Overwintering Pest Control Strategy?

Professional pest control that combines industrial-strength insecticides and visual in-home pest inspections are the best overwintering pest extermination option. We highly recommend our professional pest management because it is guaranteed to be 100 percent effective.

Every professional pest control is initiated with a visual inspection. Our exterminators always start the inspection in areas where overwintering pests are known to hide following home infiltration.

We also suggest the following tasks to prevent more overwintering pests from infiltrating your home.

• Utilize a waterproof sealant to fill in all access points utilized by overwintering pests to infiltrate your home
• Repair screens over doors and windows
• Utilize custom plywood or metal sheeting to cover large openings around plumbing pipes and electrical wiring
• Utilize stainless steel pot scrubbers to fill in round holes. The sharp edges will deter overwintering pests from accessing the holes in the future

Common Access Points Utilized By Overwintering Pests When Infiltrating Homes

Homes with damaged or missing mortar joints between bricks may also be utilized by overwintering pests to infiltrate homes. However, these openings cannot always be utilized as insect access points. The only way they can is when the interior components of the structure are damaged as well.

Damaged Or Vulnerable Window Frames

The elements take their toll on the exterior portion of the window frame. Long-term exposure to UV rays from the sun, wind, rain, and snow leave exterior window frames needing repair. We highly suggest replacing all non-repairable components of the window frame. Utilize a waterproof sealant to fill in cracks, crevices, and gaps.

Fascia & Clapboard

Clapboard has an uneven surface so it is going to leave gaps. You’ll need to fill these gaps to prevent overwintering pests from entering. For these gaps, it is best to use a foam insulating cord.

Soffit & Attic Vents

You may need to seal gaps near soffit and attic vents too. If the vent cover is damaged or ripped, there is a good chance that pests can sneak inside. You’ll need to replace the screen immediately to keep pests out.

Utilities

Don’t forget to block the holes and gaps near your utilities. There might be holes where vents and pipes enter your dwelling. If this is the case, you’ll need to eliminate these gaps immediately. Using old pot scrubbers is a good way to solve this problem. It is a good idea to stick with used pot scrubbers because they’re easier to work with.

You can always call our office for more advice and assistance.

What To Use To Spot Overwintering Pests

You’ll want to use exclusion materials to stop overwintering pests from invading your home. These products can be purchased from some hardware stores. Either way, pest-proofing products will make a difference because they can block the pest’s entry points.

Caulks & Sealants

You can use caulks and sealants to keep pests out of your home. Just remember that the two are vastly different. Caulk is great when the surfaces won’t move. If they’re going to move with temperature changes, use a sealant.

Using Exclusion Materials

To prevent your home from overwintering pests, use exclusion materials. Take advantage of foam insulation. The material works exceptionally well for stopping pests from entering long gaps. Spray foam insulation is okay but difficult to clean up later.

Another good choice is aluminum screening. You can roll and twist it to fit the gap you’re dealing with. Use aluminum screening to stop pests from invading your home.

Don’t forget hardware cloth. It works well as a heavy-duty screen.

Finally, you can use pot scrubbers to stop stink bugs from entering your home. Pot scrubbers work well for blocking small gaps.

Why Hire Our Kansas City Exterminators?

Our exterminators are licensed with the State of Missouri. We back their work with a 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee. We have been serving Kansas City consumers for decades and do not plan on stopping any time soon. We highly recommend requesting a visual overwintering pest inspection to determine if your home is genuinely infested.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.