Ah, the age-old question we hear from some of our newest clients around this time of year. The short answer: yes. The longer version: keep reading.
There are several reasons why pest control in the winter is as important as it is any other time of year in Charlotte.
Weather. The average high temperatures in and around the Charlotte area for December, January, and February are 53, 51, and 55 respectively. While there may be some unusually colder days in between, the average high temperatures are still plenty warm enough to allow pest activity. The temperature inside your home or office is usually kept around 72 degrees, so even on the colder days, pests will still seek out the warmer climate in your home. Without sustained cold weather, there is no noticeable decrease in insect population, only slower activity.
Life Cycle. Many insects go into Diapause or simply, hibernation. They slow their metabolic rate to survive the cool weather, but they do not die. They can come out of hibernation on a warm day, so this is exactly why you may suddenly find yourself with ants in the kitchen in January.
Over Wintering Pests. Some of the most common pests in the winter are the ones that seek out areas to ride out the winter. This is why we typically see an increase in activity among ladybugs, stink bugs, and box elder bugs. They seek out cracks and crevices to keep warm throughout winter, and with the first warm day, they move inside. You can read more specifics about over-winter pests here.
Other Pests. There are also multiple pests that are just active all year in the Charlotte area. Bed Bugs, mice, and termites are just a few that come to mind.
Prevention, Prevention, Prevention. Not only are many pests still active during the Charlotte winters (see over-wintering pests above), but when it comes to pest control, prevention is always better than waiting until your home is being overrun. By keeping an established barrier around your home, we help to ensure that no major infestations ever arise. We also focus on laying the groundwork for prevention and pre-emergence applications for the warmer coming months ahead as these insects wake after their winter nap.
Call us at (704) 850-6091 or simply submit the contact form on the sidebar to see how you can have a guaranteed pest-free home 365-days a year!