Controlling Cold Weather Invasions!

Brr!  It's getting cold outside which means more pests will want to be indoors with you!  Check out our website for tips to keep your home pest free this winter:  http://www.midgapestcontrol.com/controlling-cold-weather-invasions/

Where Do Insects Go In the Winter?

Despite the unseasonably warm days we have had, winter is upon us.  So, what happens to all those bugs that we see in the spring and summer?  There are several different strategies that insects have come up with to survive the cold winter months.

1.  Migration

We all know that birds fly south for the winter.  Did you know there are some insects that do the same?  A great example of this is the Monarch butterfly, which travels all the way to Mexico each winter.  Other insects migrate down into the ground to get below the frost level.



Monarch butterfly; photo courtesy of mexicotoday.org

2.  Communal Living

You've heard the phrase "safety or strength in numbers."  Some insects like ants and honey bees cluster together to make "warmth in numbers."  The bees' wing activity can raise the temperature in the hive above freezing.

3.  Dormancy

Many insects become dormant in a state of hibernation called diapause.  The inactive state of suspension helps synchronize the insect's life cycle with seasonal changes in the environment.  Insects can become dormant at different stages.  For example, praying mantids and tent caterpillars spend the winter as eggs.



Tent caterpillar eggs; photo courtesy of johnston.ces.ncsu.edu

Others spend the winter as larvae.  One example of this is the wooly bear caterpillar, which curls up in thick layers of leaf litter.  The next stage is pupae.  The black swallowtail butterfly spends the winter as a chrysalid, or cocoon.  Still other insects overwinter as adults.  Mourning cloak butterflies, for example, tuck themselves behind loose tree bark or in tree cavities.  Many insects, like ladybugs and boxelder bugs, move in our homes and spend the winter in wall voids and attics.



Black Swallowtail chrysalis; photo courtesy of buglifecycle.com



4.  Cold Hardening

Some insects produce cryoprotectants, or their own "antifreeze."  By producing a glycerol substance, insects can "supercool" themselves which allows their body fluids to drop below freezing points without causing ice damage.  The smaller the amount of water, the better they can supercool without freezing.  Because of this, smaller arthropods like ants or tiny spider mites can cool to colder temperatures than larger insects, like grasshoppers. 

5.  Staying Active

Lastly, a few insects actually stay active during the cold months.  One example of this is springtails, also called snow fleas.



Snow Fleas; photo credit-Jeff Hahn; www1.extension.umn.edu

Holiday Hitchhikers in your Christmas Tree

Thanksgiving is behind us and the leftovers are finally gone.  The signs of the Christmas season are all around.  For many of us, that means time to put up the Christmas tree.  One of my all time favorite movies is "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."  After getting the tree up, the Griswolds find an unwanted guest: a squirrel.  Chances are you would notice something like that before bringing your tree inside, but there are some less noticeable pests that might be hiding in your tree.

Although problems are rare, bringing in a real Christmas tree can also bring in extra guests for the holidays.  Most of the pests that are sometimes found are not a threat to you or your home.  If fact, they will most likely stay unseen on the tree or die because of lack of appropriate food, warm temperatures, and low humidity.  However, the warmth of the indoors can sometimes increase their activity.  Some common pests found are aphids, mites, scale insects, adelgids, bark beetles, spiders, and praying mantid eggs.



Cinara aphids; photo courtesy of ncsu.edu

To help prevent any holiday hitchhikers, thoroughly inspect your tree for signs of any of the pests mentioned above.  Small holes in the trunk with sawdust trails are a sign of bark beetles.  Vigorously shake the tree before bringing it inside.  This will help to remove many insects.  Check for bird nests as they may contain bird parasites such as mites and lice.  Egg masses of praying mantids are sometimes found.  Remove the twig with the mass on it and place it in an evergreen tree or shrub outdoors.  The warmth of your home may cause the eggs to hatch.  Vacuum up any pests that become active and leave the tree.  Do NOT use aerosol insect sprays.  They are flammable and should not be sprayed on the Christmas tree. 


Praying mantid egg case; photo courtesy of ncsu.edu

     

Is Your Home Fallproof?

The weather is cooler, the leaves are starting to change colors, and my TV is always on football.  The signs of fall are all around.  Those summer time insects will soon be gone, and we can be pest free for awhile, right?  Not exactly!  As the weather gets cooler, many insects and rodents look for warmer places to spend the winter.  Your warm and cozy home can be very inviting.  Over the next few weeks, I will highlight some different pests that are common in the fall.  No matter the pest, however, here are some tips to help keep them out of your home this fall.

• Inspect the perimeter of your home.
• Seal as many holes and cracks on the outside of the house as possible.  This is especially important on the south and west sides where the sun heats the home. 
• Seal up cracks around doors and windows.
• Make sure there are tight fitting screens on all foundation and attic vents.
• Remove any sources of standing water.
• Trim tree limbs and bushes near your home.
• Remove piles of leaves or debris.
• Seal around pipes.
• Clean regularly!  Wipe off couter tops and sweep daily to remove leftover food crumbs or spills. 
• Store food in airtight containers.
• Rinse out food containers and drink cans before disposing them.
• Get rid of clutter.
• Wipe down baseboards.
• Properly clean clothing before storing for winter.

It's simple.  Do your best to prevent pests from entering by eliminating any points of entry.  Then, make the ones that got through want to leave by eliminating food and water sources indoors.  Whether you would like help preventing pests in the first place or you've already come across that problem pest, Mid-Georgia Pest Control would be happy to serve your needs.  Call today at (770)962-4240 to set up an inspection and learn about our pest prevention program.