While Halloween will look a little different this year,Clark – your friendly pest, lawn care, termite, and rodent expert – still gets a kick out of the holiday that welcomes spiders and bats to the party!
October 31 also means that temperatures are cooling, so the natural food sources for pests are becoming more scarce. This change in weather and loss of food alters pest behavior and forces them into survival mode, which means they will be seeking access into your home in search of food and a warm place to spend the winter.
Be on the lookout for the following ghoulish pests this Halloween, and take proactive steps to prevent these unwanted trick or treaters from crashing the party:
Spiders
If there’s one pest synonymous with Halloween, it’s the spider. Fall is prime spider season in and around homes. Spiders reach maturity during the fall months, and while spiders are beneficial to our environment because they hunt and eat other less-desirable insects, certain species of spiders can present a threat to anyone who unknowingly crosses their path.
Spiders, including the brown widow, typically nest in areas that don’t see a lot of human activity. Popular spider hangouts include stacks of old newspapers, cardboard storage boxes (spiders like to hide under the folded flaps), rolled-up rugs, and infrequently used clothes and shoes in attics, closets, and crawlspaces. Outdoors, brown widow spiders can be found under rocks and landscape features as well as in the dark corners of sheds and garages.
You can avoid an unwanted encounter with spiders by doing the following:
· Remove clutter and debris inside and outside your home, including storage boxes, old newspapers, woodpiles, and scrap lumber.
· Inspect items taken from storage closely and give them a good shake outdoors to dislodge spiders or other pests. Also, when removing items from storage, wear a pair of heavy work gloves.
· Store off-season or occasionally used items (garden gloves, boots, athletic shoes, baseball mitts, camping gear, sleeping bags, etc.) in tightly closed containers to deny spiders access.
· Seal cracks and crevices around doors and windows, on the foundation, and on access holes for electrical conduits or plumbing.
Rodents
Another pest that kicks up its activity level around Halloween are rodents. Over the last few weeks, Clark shared how to spot signs of and prevent a rodent infestation. We encourage you to revisit these blogs, so you won’t be tricked into allowing disease pathogen-carrying rodents to gain access to your home or apartment.
Preventing rodents from becoming a problem in your home
Eight signs your home may have a rodent issue
Bats
Bats are another well-recognized symbol of Halloween, but they can make people feel quite uncomfortable, and they are known carriers of rabies. Bats are nocturnal mammals that roost in dark areas of buildings, such as attics, belfries, under fascia boards, under bridges, and in other sheltered areas like caves. They are known to fly from their secluded nests at dusk to get food and return just before daylight.
You can screen attic vents and openings to chimneys to keep bats out. If you have bats, it’s important to contact a licensed pest professional like Clark Pest Control to assess the situation.
Clark Pest Control remains committed to safeguarding your home from pests during these challenging times. Our service technicians use such personal protective equipment as gloves, masks, and respirators, they practice social distancing, they call ahead to notify you before a service, and they adhere strictly to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines when servicing inside or outside your home.
If you’re experiencing an issue with pests, call or text California’s trusted, friendly rodent and pest management expert, Clark, at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or send an email to clarkcares@clarkpest.com.
Until next time, the pest management professionals atClark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home and yard.