Overwintering Pest

Professional Overwintering Pest Milwaukee WI

Overwintering pest is a classification of insects that overwinter, similar to hibernation, over the winter season. The term says it all, as overwintering pests hibernate over winter. Milwaukee has several overwintering pest species that become nuisances in the late fall and the following spring. Some insect species that belong to the overwintering pest classification infiltrate homes to avoid the winter elements in the overwintering states Overwintering is like being helplessly exposed to snow, icy rain, frigid winds, and single-digit temperatures. The insects have no protection, other than a piece of loose tree bark, pine needles, damaged shingle, tall grass,

Top Overwintering Pest Sightings In Wisconsin

While you may have no interest in insects, an overwintering pest is no ordinary insect. The overwintering insect is a nuisance to property owners, tenants, and businesses. Knowing the commonly reported overwintering sightings in Milwaukee will prove to be valuable for your case.

Overwintering Box Elder Bug “Boxelder Bug”

Boxelder bugs are black with a red line outlining the wings and a centralized red down the back. These markings help Milwaukee exterminators and American scientists differentiate between the box elder bug and other overwintering pests.

The adult grows up to 0.5 or half of an inch long. Small cracks in window and door frames, garage door seals, basement vents, and window air conditioning seals. All exterior-to-interior openings have the tendency to become an overwintering pest home access point.

Overwintering Ladybug “Asian Lady Beetle”

The Asian lady beetle is a tiny insect that packs around a thin orange, red, or yellow shell, covered with polka dots. The adult grows up to 7  millimeters in length. The ladybug is a pollinator, an insect that picks up and delivers pollen from male plants to female plants. Without pollinators,

The ladybug’s most notable feature, notice this is not a visual physical characteristic, but a feature. This feature is no other than the pyridine-based secretion. Glands product pyridine secretion as part of a safety mechanism against predators.

Overwintering Cluster Fly

The cluster fly is similar to a housefly, as both insects have two sets of legs, two antennas, translucent lower wings, and a dark brown or black torso, head, and body. Cluster flies pose a health risk to adults, children, and seniors. With every landing, flies regurgitate food, which may be contaminated.

Flies are notorious biters, as they continuously bite their victims. 99.9 percent of cluster fly bites result in a mild allergic reaction – redness, swelling, and itchiness.

Overwintering in the natural habitat versus the inside of a building is very different. Overwintering indoors protects the cluster from winter element exposure.

Overwintering Leaf-Footed Pine Seed Bug

The leaf-footed pine seed bug is not a well-known overwintering pest. The insect has three sets of legs, two antennas, and a large body that measures up to ¾ inches in length. The diet consists of sap from seeds and cones of the pine tree.

In the natural habitat, leaf-footed pine seed bugs take refuge underneath firewood, in pine trees, and damaged siding. The insect will shelter just about anywhere that is at least 90 percent protected from the winter elements.

This is one of the largest overwintering pest species. In fact, the insect struggles to stay discrete after home infiltration.

Overwintering Brown Marmorated Stink Bug “Stinkbug”

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug “BMSB” or stinkbug is another overwintering pest that secretes a pyridine substance as part of a safety mechanism. The shield-shaped wings are covered with a thin shell to minimize flying injury risk. The pyridine secretion also plays a role in deterring predatory pests – parasitoid wasp, pillbug, praying mantis, and tangle-web spider – at bay.

The shell-like wings are covered in marmorated (marbled coloration). Halfway down the legs and antennas are also marmorated. The adult grows up to 0.5 (½) of an inch in length. The insect originally came from Asia to the United States in the 1980s.

We recommend never swatting the stinkbug, ladybug, or box elder bug, but instead, suction them up in a vacuum cleaner. Once the insects are inside the debris storage container, you will have the option of freeing them back into their environment or eradicating them.

Most Commonly Reported Signs Of An Overwintering Pest Infiltration?

Overwintering pest infiltration is not the same thing as an infestation. Infiltration is the invasion of a residential or commercial building by overwintering pests. An infestation of dozens or hundreds of overwintering pests of the same or different species. Which is worse infiltration or infestation? The latter is the worse because it involves more insects.

The first sign of an overwintering pest infiltration is life insects crawling on surfaces or swarming insects. The second sign is fecal droppings on surfaces in the overwintering pests’ paths. These insects can be found hiding in basements, crawlspaces, bathrooms, and kitchens. Most overwintering insect species prefer dark, damp, warm/cool, and discrete hiding places.

What Equipment Do I Need To Eradicate Overwintering Pests?

There is no equipment needed to exterminate overwintering pests. An industrial-strength pesticide combined with adhesive pest traps is all you need to ensure maximum effectiveness. Of course, you will need some time and patience to reach a successful outcome. Small exterior-to-interior cracks are utilized to access the interior of buildings.

Overwintering pests infiltrate buildings in search of warm and safe shelters away from the harsh winter elements. It is not unusual for overwintering pests of varying species to infiltrate and infest the same building.

What Steps Should I Take To Protect My Home From Overwintering Pests?

Several tubes of a waterproof sealant – silicone or caulk – and a dispenser (caulk gun.) Fill each overwintering pest access point to the brim before moving to the nest opening. Each entry point must be completely filled to keep overwintering pests from utilizing it as an opportunity to gain entrance into your home.

Screened Windows And Doors

Many homes have windows and doors that are screened to improve ventilation while keeping insects and rodents out. Even the slightest slit on a screen is the perfect size opening for most overwintering pests.

Waterproof Outdoor Barrier

When working outdoors, it is crucial to only utilize waterproof or weatherproof barrier treatments. Inspect each exterior structural component to ensure they are in good condition. All exterior-to-interior openings should be filled with a weatherproof sealant.

Most Common Overwintering Pest Home Access Points

• Damaged Or Missing Mortar Joints – Mortar joints utilized to secure bricks and other masonry structural components can be utilized by pests to infiltrate your home.
• Cracked Vinyl Siding – Cracked vinyl siding may not permit overwintering pests to access to the interior of a building, it will make the ideal hiding place away from the winter elements.
• Vulnerable Door/Window Frames – Long-term element exposure leave the exterior portion of a window and door frame in poor condition. Overwintering pests can utilize such vulnerabilities to infiltrate buildings
• Wood Clapboard And Fascia – Normal wear and tear and long-term element exposure will take their toll on fascia and clapboard. Over time, it will be necessary to continuously access these structural components to ensure they are in good condition.
• Attic And Crawlspace Vents – Gaps between the surface and back of vents utilized in the attic, basement, and crawlspace vents are utilized by overwintering pests as access points.
• Plumbing And Electrical Wiring Accesses – Water pipes and electrical wiring running into the home from the main system are massive access points. Large pieces of custom metal or wood sheeting can be utilized to seal the openings.

Materials Needed To Eliminate Overwintering Pest Infiltration Points

• Foam insulation
• Metal screen patch
• Hardware fabric
• Stainless steel pot scrubber

Be sure to take advantage of our free overwintering pest inspection. An initial visual inspection will help determine if your home is genuinely infested with overwintering pests. If the home is determined to be infested, the data collected during the inspection will be applied to a pest control strategy.

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