[Image: WonderAI]
As the chill of the oncoming winter settles in Cape Town, many of us will be retreating indoors for warmth and some Netflix and chill. But we’re not the only ones planning to spend more time inside; so are some unwelcome visitors.
Winter pests like bed bugs, rodents, and spiders tend to become more active during the colder seasons, making it important to be proactive to prevent infestations from taking over your winter hibernation spot.
Bed Bugs
One of the most common pests that see a rise in activity during winter is bed bugs. These tiny, elusive little horrors thrive in the warmth of your home, on mattresses, or in carpets. As we spend more time indoors, these pests can easily go unnoticed, only to emerge at night like tiny vampires to feed on human blood.
Worst of all, bed bugs are great travellers and will hitchhike a lift home with you without you knowing.
Soon, the whole house is itching and nobody gets any sleep. It’s crucial to act quickly when it comes to bed bugs before your home turns into a Netflix house of horrors.
Rodents
As the temperatures drop in autumn, rats and mice begin to seek shelter indoors, attracted by the warmth and steady supply of food in our homes. These furry trespassers can wreak havoc on your property by chewing on everything from electrical wires to insulation and your winter wardrobe.
And while they’re shredding the wires of your electric blanket, they might also be carrying diseases and pose health risks to you and your family.
Sealing cracks, gaps, and most of the holes in your home’s exterior might help, but Stuart Little will still get in. Setting up old-school traps is also not that great an option, so calling in pest control services will likely be the best option.
Cockroaches
In Cape Town, cockroach infestations become a standard issue during the winter months as the ugly little pests seek warmth and shelter from the wet and cold outside. The city’s climate also encourages cockroaches to invade homes and businesses, particularly in areas with high moisture levels, such as kitchens and basements.
Cockroaches are nocturnal, which makes it especially difficult to detect them until the infestation reaches unmanageable levels. To prevent those unwanted moments when you switch on a light and the cupboards rattle, it’s crucial to clean your kitchen regularly, but even if you are the most obsessive scrubber, cockroaches will always come looking for a midnight snack.
Spiders
While spiders are active year-round in Cape Town, the autumn months often see an increase in their activity as they search for mates. Most spiders found on the West Coast are harmless, but it’s essential to be cautious, as venomous species can sometimes find their way into your home.
If you notice more spiders around your home, take steps to eliminate their hiding spots by decluttering areas such as attics, basements, and garages, but to ensure nothing comes crawling into your bed at night, it’s best to get a professional in
Preventing a winter infestation might take up a few weekends for you, but now may be the time. Here are a few tips before winter really sets in:
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Inspect Your Home: Regularly check for signs of pests, such as droppings, webs, or bite marks.
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Seal Cracks and Gaps: Ensure that your home is properly sealed to prevent pests from entering You’ll take care of some of those icy winter drafts at the same time.
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Clean and Declutter: Clean and avoid clutter in your kitchen, and get the kids to clean up after themselves this winter. Pests are attracted to food, trash, and cluttered areas, and while this might be true of most kids as well, it’s already tough getting the kids out of their rooms, so you do not need to invite more pests in.
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Call in a professional: Using traps or natural deterrents like garlic and cloves might have been the go-to remedy for pests in the 1900s, but it might be best to call in pest control professionals to keep your home free of unwanted guests this winter.
To enjoy a cozy and pest-free winter in Cape Town you can call VERM-TECH on 060 220 6732 or drop them a mail at info@verm-tech.co.za.
