How Often Should Pest Control Be Done at Your Home?

As fall has faded into winter, we’ve seen more and more pests making their way into our homes to cozy up for the colder months. Many of us will already be opening our homes to our extended families and in-laws soon enough to celebrate the holidays. We’re supposed to host bugs, too? 

No, we don’t think so. 

After nearly 100 years in business, JP Pest Services has been around long enough to tell you what to expect and when to expect it. This is what inspired our Home Protection Plan, which protects your home against dozens of the most problematic pests common to New England, while providing additional services, such as interior and exterior rodent control, spider web removal, perimeter insect inspection, and more. 

Our goal for you is complete peace of mind, knowing that your home is being proactively protected from anything that could cause you, your family, or your home harm associated with pests and nuisance wildlife. We are exposed to many different pests here in New England and, depending on the season, we know what each one typically brings with it. 

Benefits of Seasonal Pest Control 

It is always easier to prevent a problem than it is to solve one, which is why enlisting the help of professionals is a great place to start. By scheduling regular checks, your pest management professional will be able to tell if there is a threat and stop it before it becomes an infestation in your home. 

Before the pros come to inspect the premises, there are already some DIY things you and your family can be doing to help protect your property against pests. You can start by sealing doors and windows, vacuuming, and decluttering high-volume areas of your house. 

Our Process to Prevent Pests Year-Round

Starting with a walk around your property, our technicians will pay close attention to specific areas of your home that pests tend to prefer according to the season. 

For instance, in the winter, common pests start making a move towards the indoors where they will lurk around the interior of your home in search of warmth. During our inspection we will look for any signs that these pests have successfully gained entry and develop a plan to treat them, focused on preventing them from coming back in the future.

Our 5-part process for staying ahead of potential pest problems depends on the following steps: 

1. Assess
2. Control
3. Prevent
4. Document
5. Monitor & follow-up

Relying on our expertise and being aware of the threat of pests in your home each season will help ensure your property stays pest-free year-round. 

Pests to Watch for This Winter

The pests we typically see in our homes during the winter are smart and tend to plan ahead. Meaning, they often start making their way into your home in the fall. That is why sometimes you will see them even before the snow hits the ground. The reason they retreat to your home is to stay safe and warm until the spring months. 

Here is a look at what could be cozying up in your casa right now:

1. Boxelder bug - These insects will move from trees like the boxelder maple, into cracks and crevices, such as car doors to make their way back to your property. These bugs are noticeable for their black and red markings, and measure about ½ inch long. 
2. Brown marmorated stink bug - Commonly appears with alternating light and dark coloring on the body and often, well, stinks. Stink bugs are particularly attracted to your produce and emit an unmistakable odor when startled. 
3. Cluster fly - These can be found in the upper levels, specifically the attic, of a home. Sitting in windows, these flies look like regular flies except they measure a bit bigger and are more sluggish. 
4. Asian lady beetles (“ladybugs”) – As much as we love seeing them in the garden, they’re not so welcome in our homes. These bugs feed on aphids (commonly found on Christmas trees) and are often found clustered along residential window sills in alarming numbers. 
5. Western conifer seed bug - This brown insect will measure to be ¾ inch in length, and are commonly seen when we experience one of those unseasonably warmer days during the winter. Like their counterparts in this list, the western conifer seed bug likes window screens and doors -- any opportunity to enter your home and warm up!

This holiday, keep the family close and the bugs away! Knowing what to look for and where to find them is half the battle. If this Christmas you start noticing a few uninvited guests, our team of professionally trained pest control professionals will be standing by with the expertise and experience to show them the door and ensure they don’t make another appearance at future family gatherings.

Treat yourself this season to the peace of mind brought by our Home Protection Plan.