Overwintering Pests

San Jose CA is home to many overwintering pests. Overwintering pests are pests that try to take shelter from the cold weather. They’ll sneak into your home so they can stay away from the cold, winter weather. They’ll stay in your home until the surrounding areas get hotter.

Which Pests Overwinter In San Jose CA?

In San Jose CA, you’re likely going to encounter a handful of overwintering pests. Some of the most common are boxelder bugs, ladybugs, stink bugs, and cluster flies.

Boxelder Bugs

The boxelder bug is a common pest in our area. During the warm summer months, it will be a problem for gardens and farms. They tend to feed on boxelder trees and other trees. Once the cold temperatures arrive, these pests are going to look for ways to enter your home. These pests are only half an inch so they can easily slip through the smallest holes on your outer walls. Thankfully, they’re not dangerous. You’ll primarily have to worry about keeping them out in the fall.

Asian Ladybugs

Asian ladybugs or lady beetles also belong to the overwintering pest category. Ladybugs aren’t dangerous but they can be a nuisance in your home. While some people call them cute, they’re not when hundreds of them are living in your home. Suck them up with a vacuum cleaner and dispose of them far away from your home.

Cluster Flies

Naturally, cluster flies spend their entire lives outdoors. They begin life as a parasite in an earthworm before emerging as larvae. Once they’ve done this, they’re going to remain outside. However, they’ll sneak into residential and commercial structures when the temperatures drop. They’ll remain in your home until the temperatures rise. Then, they’ll be ready to go outside. Besides hiding in homes and stores, they can also hide behind wood planks and loose tree bark. Cluster flies are not dangerous.

Leaf-Footed Pine Seed Bugs

Leaf-footed pine seed bugs are large overwintering pests that can reach three-quarters of an inch. They’re dull brown and consume pinecones. Once the temperatures in your city begin to drop, these large overwintering pests are going to find ways to sneak into your home. If they can’t enter your home, they’ll hide behind the bark of certain trees. Although they’re large in stature, these pests can slip through some of the smallest gaps on your outer walls. The leaf-footed pine seed bug is a concerning presence, but they’re not dangerous.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs

Finally, San Jose CA is home to brown marmorated stink bugs. When they reach adulthood, these pests reach half an inch in length. They have a marbled patterned back that looks like a shield. Native to Asia, stink bugs were introduced to the United States many years ago. The first stink bugs in America were found in Pennsylvania in the mid-1990s. When it is warm outside, brown marmorated stink bugs will stay outside and consume crops. As soon as the temperatures drop, the stink bugs around your property will try to invade your home.

They release a foul odor, so they’re called stink bugs. They do so when they’re scared or crushed. Using your vacuum cleaner is a good way to get rid of them.

Identifying The Signs Of Overwintering Pests In Your Home

Overwintering pests might be living in your home, but you may not realize it. It can be difficult to positively identify the infestation. Therefore, you need to know what to look for. Are you concerned that overwintering pests could be living in your home? If you don’t find out and remove them, there is a risk that you’ll live with them until spring. One of the best ways to confirm an infestation is by turning on your HVAC system and increasing the temperature. Once your home reaches a higher temperature, the pests will believe it is spring or summer. Then, they’ll try to go outside. If you do this and find a lot of stink bugs, ladybugs, or boxelder bugs in your home, you have an overwintering pest problem.

Avoiding Overwintering Pest Invasions

Dealing with overwintering pest infestations won’t be easy. Therefore, it is often easier to prevent them from sneaking into your home in the first place. If you can keep these pests out, you’ll be able to avoid a headache and paying for an exterminator’s services. It isn’t possible to eliminate the risk, but you can make it harder for overwintering pests to enter your home. Sealing all small gaps on your outer walls will make a big difference. Below, you’ll discover more advice for keeping overwintering pests out of your home.

Identifying Small Gaps & Entry Points

It is essential to fill in all small gaps around your home. Check your outer walls carefully and identify small gaps and holes. Once you’ve found them, seal these holes within the right material. Doing this will increase the likelihood that your home will remain pest-free throughout the year.

Ask About Professional Protective Barrier Treatment

It is recommended that you talk to your professional exterminator about protective barrier treatments. A professional’s protective barrier treatment can make a big difference. Once the barrier has been installed, overwintering pests and other residential pests will be hesitant to approach your home. Be sure to use professional solutions because they’ll rely on industrial-strength products and deliver longer-lasting results. Call our office to learn more about our protective exterior barrier treatments.

Where You’ll Find Small Gaps

Gaps Around Bricks

Does your home have bricks? While they look great, they could have small gaps. You need to check the mortar between the two bricks. Near the top, you’ll likely find a small opening. Since the brick and mortar are uneven, there will be a gap where the bricks connect with the molding and siding. It is vital to fill this gap because overwintering pests can use it to sneak inside. You’ll also need to check the steel plate above your door. Using a sealant is one of the most efficient ways to fill these gaps.

Gaps Around Window Frames

When the windows around your home are installed, they’re sealed. However, it is common for the bottom of the window to be left open. Although water likely won’t seep through, bugs likely could. Seal the gaps around your window using caulk to keep spiders, bugs, and overwintering pests from getting into your home.

Holes Around Uneven Clapboard

The clapboard installed on your outer walls does not have an even surface. Therefore, there will be a small gap at the end of each board. Caulking the gaps would help, but it’ll be too time-consuming. Therefore, it is best to use a foam insulating cord.

Vents Around Your Attic

Your attic has vents to help eliminate humidity problems. The vents allow air to enter and exit the attic. Although this helps deal with humidity issues, it could let bugs enter your home. The vents should be covered by a durable screen. Otherwise, pests are going to slip through. Make sure the screens are in good condition to keep pests out.

Small Gaps Around Pipes And Cables

You’ll also need to check the areas where your pipes and cables enter your home. In some cases, you will find small holes around your electrical cables, fiber cables, and plumbing pipes. If this is the case, you need to do something about these gaps. You’ll need to fill these holes to prevent unwanted invaders from entering your home. Grab your old pot scrubber and cram it into the hole. Once you’ve done that, pests won’t be able to enter through these holes.

Don’t forget that overwintering pests can still find a way to enter your home. When this happens, call us. We’ve been dealing with overwintering pests and other residential pests for many, many years. We’re always here to help.

Sealing The Holes With The Right Materials

When you decide to deal with this problem, you need to use the right material. Otherwise, you will run into problems. Doing so means the gaps will reopen and the pests will enter your home soon. Using exclusion materials can make a big difference. Use the advice below to protect your home throughout the year with the right materials.

Caulks And Sealant

Be sure to choose the right material here. Caulks and sealants aren’t equal. A caulk is going to work best when the surface remains the same throughout the year. Sealants are recommended for materials that are going to expand throughout the year.

Exclusion Materials

There are numerous other exclusion materials to use. Some of the best include foam insulation, hardware cloth, pot scrubbers, and aluminum screens. Read more about these materials below.

• Use foam insulation when trying to fill in long gaps around your home.
• Don’t forget to take advantage of aluminum screens. They work great for blocking gaps of all sizes.
• Hardware clothes are great for situations when you need a heavy-duty screen.
• Pot scrubbers can be pushed into small gaps.

Call us to get more advice about keeping these pests out.

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