Protect your home with these winter pest control tips

Key takeaways

• Many pests seek shelter indoors during winter, making winter pest control essential even in colder months.
• Key winter pests to watch out for include mice, rats, cockroaches, ants, spiders, cluster flies, and overwintering insects like stink bugs.
• Inspecting and securing areas like your roof, vents, screens, and foundation can help prevent pests from entering your home.
• Western's comprehensive PestFree365+ plan includes regular inspections and year-round coverage from up to 39 common household pests and is a perfect plan to protect your home all season long.

When the weather cools down, it might feel like pests have packed their bags and headed south for the season. Spoiler alert: they haven’t. Instead, many of them are trading in their outdoor digs for a cozy winter getaway right inside your home. While it’s easy to assume winter pest control isn’t necessary, that’s exactly when sneaky critters try to move in. While you’re cozying up with hot cocoa, winter pests are cozying up to your walls, pantry, or basement—without an invitation.

Western’s 8-point winter pest control checklist

Before pests turn your home into their winter hideaway, take a few simple steps to keep them out. Our checklist for pest-proofing your home for winter will help you stay one step ahead of unwanted guests. Here are some areas you may want to check this winter:

1. Roof: Replace or repair missing shingles and roof damage to prevent rats, mice, and other pests from accessing your home.
2. Vents: Check vent covers, ensuring they are intact to prevent pest entry.
3. Screens: Repair holes or tears in window, door, and porch screens to eliminate easy entry points for winter pests.
4. Vegetation: Trim back bushes or branches near your home. Rats and mice can easily scale these to gain access to your attic.
5. Gutters: Remove debris from gutters and downspouts to avoid standing water, a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
6. Outside: Eliminate any trash or yard debris, including woodpiles that can provide shelter and hiding places for pests.
7. Garage: Properly seal your garage to keep rodents, insects, and spiders outside.
8. Foundation: Seal and secure any small openings to help prevent mice from getting in, as they can squeeze through an opening the size of a dime.  

Noticed a few red flags while going through our 8-point checklist? Whether it’s tiny gaps that need sealing or clear signs of critter activity, Western Exterminator has you covered. From rodent exclusion services to full winter pest control solutions, our experts know how to block pests before they move in and overstay their welcome.

Which pests do I need to worry about in the winter?

Overwintering pests are insects and critters that head indoors when the temperatures drop. Instead of braving the cold, these winter pests settle into homes, garages, or attics where food and warmth are easy to find. Some of the most common overwintering pests include:

• Rodents (mice and rats): Quickly sneak through tiny openings and can chew wires, insulation, and even walls.
• Cockroaches: Extremely resilient and one of the hardest pests to eliminate once they move in.
• Ants: Drawn inside by food sources, they can be tough to track down and control.
• Spiders: Often hide in quiet corners or basements until spring.
• Stink bugs & boxelder bugs: More of a nuisance than a danger, but they can show up in large numbers.

While some pests are mostly an inconvenience, others—like rodents and cockroaches—are particularly destructive and difficult to remove without professional help. That’s why keeping up with winter pest control is key to protecting your home.

Reduce the risk of pest infestations

When it comes to mice, rats, and other uninvited guests, the best defense is sealing off their entry points before they find a way inside. That’s where rodent exclusion services come in. Think of it as locking every door and window that pests might try to sneak through.

Western’s proactive rodent and wildlife exclusion services include:

• Sealing gaps in brick, concrete, and drywall
• Replacing chimney caps and dryer vent covers
• Repairing or swapping out torn screens and vent covers
• Installing sturdy door sweeps
• Wrapping trees to stop climbing critters

Pair our exclusion services with our most popular plan, PestFree365+, and you’ll have year-round peace of mind knowing your home is protected every season.

Protect your home with PestFree365+: the #1 pest control plan

Not all winter pest control plans are created equal, and that’s where Western’s PestFree365+ stands out. Our plan includes regularly scheduled inspections, coverage for 39 different pests (including winter troublemakers like spiders, mice, rats, cockroaches, and ants).

Where some competitors stop at the basics, we go further and offer proactive care, broader coverage, and ongoing protection that adapts with the seasons. PestFree365+ isn’t just another plan; it’s a complete year-round shield for your home.

Is professional pest control worth it in the winter?

Winter may feel like “off-season” for pests, but it’s prime time for them to sneak indoors. Professional winter pest control gives you a proactive edge by utilizing experts who know exactly where pests hide during colder months and how to stop them before an infestation grows. Unlike DIY fixes that often only treat what you can see, professionals use proven techniques like rodent exclusion, exterior barrier treatments, and targeted interior applications to cut off entry points and protect against winter pests you may not even realize are there.

Western Exterminator’s commitment to you

For nearly 100 years, Western Exterminator has been protecting homes, families, and peace of mind from potentially harmful pests. And we don’t just set it and forget it—your satisfaction is always guaranteed. If pests pop up between service visits, we’ll return at no extra charge to make sure your home stays protected. Take the first step toward pest-proofing your home for winter and schedule your free inspection or contact us to learn more.