Not only is summer long gone, but winter is bearing down upon us.  Homeowners prepare for those cold winter months by sealing doors and windows, collecting firewood and putting patio furniture away.  However, there is another process that usually takes place this time of year.  That process includes an influx of pests working their way inside your home.  We simply call them overwintering pests.

While there may be several varieties of overwintering pests, the more prevalent includes cluster flies, lady bugs and brown marmorated stink bugs.  These particular pests are in survival mode, looking for a place to hibernate and escape the harsh winter temperatures.  One positive thought is that these overwintering pests aren’t known for biting people, harming pets or spreading diseases.

It is not unusual for homeowners to be swatting flies during the summer months.  However, cluster flies are a little different and larger than the common house fly.  They begin converging during the autumn months in search of a warmer place to spend the winter.  Cluster flies are a dull gray and black but are covered with golden hairs on the thorax, giving them a shiny, golden sheen.  They do not reproduce inside your home so their eggs and immature larva or maggots are rarely seen as the eggs are deposited outside in the soil.  Cluster flies have a knack for finding their way inside your attic or walls of the house and will often crawl out in large numbers on warm days.  As with all flies, cluster flies can contaminate food items left uncovered.

Ladybugs also begin showing up in the fall as temperatures drop.  You may first notice them on the sunny side of the house…especially white or light colored houses.  Before long, they find a crack or hole somewhere on the house and begin making their way inside.  Often times they find their way into the attic and hibernate until spring.  While they cause no harm, several lady bugs inside the house can be a nuisance.  Ladybugs have been known to leave a stain on lightly colored fabric.  If allowed inside for the winter, they will again show up in large numbers in the spring as they awaken and work their way back outdoors.

Brown marmorated stink bugs, much like other overwintering pests, begin showing up on the sunny side of buildings during those fall months.  They often invade the interior living space of your home throughout the fall and into winter months.  This bug earned its name from the unpleasant odor they put out when threatened or crushed.  They are more of an agricultural pest than anything and can cause significant amounts of damage to plants and crops.  While they do not bite or sting people, do emit a foul smelling liquid that can also stain furniture and upholstery.

Regardless of the type of pest, when you contact us here at Thomas Pest Services you can count on us to protect your family and your home.  Be sure to ask us about our complete care plan.  We understand that every home is different, which is why we offer a range of plans that allows homeowners to select the plan that works best for their home and budget.  Start your New year pest free with a pest prevention plan from Thomas Pest Services!