Many people assume that once the temperatures drop along the Jersey Shore, pests simply disappear. You might think the cold ocean breeze sends bugs and rodents packing, but the reality is quite different. Instead of leaving, these pests often move indoors, seeking the warmth and shelter your home provides. For coastal New Jersey homeowners, winter creates a unique set of challenges that requires vigilance.
Mice: The Unwanted Houseguests
Mice remain the most common winter invaders in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. As the ground freezes, these rodents actively scout for tiny entry points around your foundation, garage doors, and utility pipes. Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime, and once inside, they don’t just stay quiet. They build nests in insulation, chew through electrical wires, and raid pantries for food.
Furthermore, mice reproduce rapidly. A single pair can turn into a full-blown infestation before spring arrives. Because they are nocturnal, you might hear scratching in the walls or ceiling at night long before you see one scurrying across the floor. Ignoring these signs allows the problem to grow, putting your home’s hygiene and safety at risk.
Spiders and Other Overwintering Insects
While rodents seek warmth, insects like spiders, stink bugs, and lady beetles enter a state of dormancy but often choose your attic or wall voids as their hibernation spot. Although they move slower in the cold, the heat from your furnace can trick them into thinking it’s spring. Consequently, you might spot spiders spinning webs in corners or stink bugs clinging to sunny windowsills in the middle of February.
Coastal winds can also drive pests deeper into structures. Cracks in siding or gaps around windows become highways for pests escaping the harsh salt air. Sealing these entry points is your first line of defense. However, if pests have already established a foothold, professional intervention becomes necessary to protect your property.
Winter is not a time to let your guard down. By staying alert and addressing signs of activity early, you keep your home secure and pest-free until the warmer days return. Contact Allison Pest Control for a free pest inspection today!
