When it’s cold outside, you may think you wont need pest control while many pests are dormant. However, there are still multiple types of pests that remain active. After a routine pest control visit, it is important to know how to maintain your pest free home, so that unwanted pests do not arise between recurring services. Continue reading to learn our proven methods to keeping common winter pests away from your Dallas, Texas home.
They Sleep With You: Bed Bugs
Bed bugs do not hibernate during the winter and are active year round in Dallas. They are a particularly pesky insect that can be challenging to notice. This is because bed bugs will attach themselves underneath the mattress and come out once they have detected it is night time. Although, when temperatures drop to freezing, bed bugs are less likely to come out from their nest; so it is the best time to take preventative measures with Tactical Pest Services.
How to Prevent Bed Bugs Inside Your Dallas, Texas Home
Adding a bed bug proof mattress cover is an effective way to prevent these pesky critters. On top of this, use a few drops of essential oil mixed with water to spray outdoor items, such as coats, shoes, and bedding to prevent bed bugs from latching on. Oils that can be used include cinnamon, peppermint, clove, or tea tree.
You See Them Year-Round: Spiders
Unfortunately, not all types of spiders go into hibernation for the Winter in Dallas, Texas. The Brown Recluse and Black Widow spiders are commonly found. These spiders are found where there are small insects; spiders feed on small insects caught inside their web. It is likely that if you experience tiny insects inside your home, spiders are residing with you as well! Spiders reproduce extremely fast; certain types produce up to hundreds of eggs at a time. In company with this, some spiders contain deadly venom, and are not worth the risk of removing without a professional service. If you are unsure which type of spider is inside your home, contact Tactical Pest Services!
How to Prevent Spiders Inside Your Dallas, Texas Home
The best natural solution to treating spiders inside your home is to combine white vinegar, and some citrus peels mixed with water. Then spray this around your home’s surfaces, bathrooms, and kitchen. This solution is effective because spiders are repelled by the acid inside the citrus peel.
They Never Go Away: Cockroaches
The most common invasive Winter insect is cockroaches. Cockroaches may be the most hated common pests, and also one of the most dangerous that can invade your home. Cockroaches do not hibernate, they are active and are seen throughout the year in Texas. Cockroaches are always in search of food, water, and shelter. Excluding open food and water sources is best for keeping them outside your home.
Most Dallas residents do not realize they have a cockroach infestation until it is too late. If you notice cockroaches often, or have noticed tiny black dots that are difficult to remove, these are cockroach droppings, and are a clear sign of an infestation. It is important to hire a professional pest removal service because these droppings contain a high concentration of bacteria that can cause serious illness.
How to Prevent Cockroaches Inside Your Dallas, Texas Home
Besides removing available food and water sources, cockroaches are deterred by certain smells. Cockroaches do not like the smell of bay leaves, catnip, tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint essential oils. This is because it overpowers the scent of food trails that cockroaches sniff out. High amounts of essential oils, especially peppermint, can kill cockroaches.
Contact Tactical Pest Services!
Our tips to keeping bed bugs, spiders, and cockroaches out of your home are best served as a preventative measure rather than to treat an infestation. Contact Tactical Pest Services for efficient pest removal and preventative services!
