Seasonal Pest Issues and How to Prepare for Them

Health Concerns 

Ticks, mosquitoes, and rodents are carriers for numerous diseases that can pose significant health risks to humans:

• Ticks: These pests are primarily known for transmitting Lyme disease, which causes symptoms like fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash. If left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.
• Mosquitoes: They are infamous for spreading diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). These diseases can have varying symptoms ranging from mild fever to severe neurological disorders and, in extreme cases, death. The severity of the diseases can depend on the specific virus or parasite transmitted and the individual's health.
• Rodents: Rodents such as rats and mice can carry diseases like hantavirus, leptospirosis, tularemia, and plague. These diseases can be transmitted through direct contact with rodent waste, urine, saliva, or through bites. Some diseases, like hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, can be severe and fatal, with symptoms including fever, muscle aches, and respiratory distress.

Allergies

Both warm and cold seasons carry concerning pest-induced allergies. Two of the most common are wasps in warm weather, especially late summer, and cockroaches in winter:

• Wasps: The primary concern with wasp stings is the potential for severe allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis. This reaction can occur rapidly and can be life-threatening. Symptoms of anaphylaxis from a wasp sting include swelling of the face, lips, or throat, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, and a severe drop in blood pressure. Even if someone hasn't had a severe reaction in the past, they can still develop one upon subsequent stings.
• Cockroaches: Allergies to cockroaches are quite common and can be particularly troublesome, especially in urban areas. Cockroach allergens are typically found in their droppings, saliva, and decaying bodies. These allergens can trigger asthma symptoms and exacerbate existing asthma conditions, especially in children. Common symptoms include coughing, nasal congestion, skin rash, and a severe asthma attack.

Food contamination

Flies, rodents, and pantry pests can significantly contribute to food contamination in various ways, posing health risks due to the spread of disease-causing organisms:

• Flies: These insects are notorious for spreading bacteria and pathogens. Flies frequently land on decaying organic matter, feces, and other contaminated surfaces where they pick up bacteria. When they land on food or food preparation surfaces, they can transfer these pathogens. Flies can contaminate food with bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can lead to food poisoning.
• Rodents: Mice and rats are known for carrying a variety of diseases, which they can transmit to food through direct contact or via their urine and feces. Rodents often gnaw through packaging to access food, leaving it exposed and contaminated. They can spread diseases like salmonellosis and hantavirus, and their presence in food storage or preparation areas can lead to significant health hazards.
• Pantry pests: These include a variety of insects such as weevils, moths, and beetles that infest dry goods like grains, flour, nuts, and spices. These pests can get into packaging to eat and lay eggs, leaving behind waste and body parts that contaminate food products. Consumption of infested food can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort and other health issues.

Tips for Fall & Winter Prep

1. Seal Gaps and Cracks: Inspect your home's exterior for any gaps, cracks, or openings. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal around windows, doors, and foundation. This prevents pests like mice, rats, and insects from entering.
2. Maintain the Yard: Keep your yard tidy by raking up fallen leaves, trimming branches that touch your home, and storing firewood at least 20 feet away from your house. These actions reduce shelter for pests and minimize their chances of getting inside.
3. Properly Store Food: Store food in sealed containers and keep your pantry clean. Be sure to clean up crumbs and spills immediately to not attract pests like ants, cockroaches, or pantry pests.
4. Manage Moisture: Fix leaky pipes and use dehumidifiers in damp areas like basements, crawl spaces, and attics. Pests such as silverfish and cockroaches are attracted to moisture and humidity.
5. Inspect Items Before Bringing Them Inside: Check items such as packages, grocery bags, and second-hand furniture for pests before bringing them into your home to prevent accidental introductions.
6. Install Door Sweeps and Screens: Add sweeps to exterior doors to close the gap at the threshold and repair any torn screens on windows and doors. This helps keep flying insects and crawling pests outside.
7. Use Pest-Specific Deterrents: Depending on the pests you're dealing with, consider using deterrents like peppermint oil for spiders and rodents, or diatomaceous earth for insects.
8. Hire a Professional: The most thorough option for preparing your home against pest problems in colder months is to bring in an expert. Not only can they provide preventative treatments, but they can help identify problem areas for repair.

Additional Tips for Spring & Summer Prep

1. Manage Yard and Garden: Keep your lawn well-maintained, trim back bushes and trees away from the house, and remove any accumulated debris. Clear out stagnant water from pots, gutters, and birdbaths to prevent mosquito breeding.
2. Declutter and Clean: Spring cleaning is a great way to deter pests. Declutter your home to eliminate potential nesting sites. Regularly vacuum and clean floors to remove crumbs and residue that could attract pests.
3. Store Food and Waste Properly: Ensure that food is stored in tightly sealed containers. Use garbage cans with lids and dispose of waste regularly to avoid attracting rodents and wasps looking for a food source.
4. Pay Special Attention to Moisture: Check for leaking faucets, water pipes, and AC units. Repair any leaks and use dehumidifiers in damp areas of the home to deter pests that thrive in moist environments like termites and carpenter ants.

Additional Reading:

• Why think about mosquitoes in winter?
• Protect your car from rodents this winter

Don’t get caught in the cold. Our team at Graduate Pest Solutions specializes in prevention. Call us at 413-566-8222 or contact us with any questions or if you are experiencing a pest problem. We have the knowledge and service necessary to help keep your home and workplace pest-free!