Winter Is Prime Pest Time In Nebraska
The winter season is a time for people in Omaha, Bellevue, Gretna and Papillion, Nebraska to enjoy the comforts of being indoors. Unfortunately, many pests enjoy spending winter inside a warm house as well. It is estimated that rodents alone invade about 21 million homes and businesses in the U.S. each winter.
More than just a nuisance, there are real threats posed by many of the pests that like to share our homes. Mice and rats can spread diseases like salmonella and hantavirus and can contaminate our food. Rodents can also bring in other pests like fleas, ticks and lice indoors and can cause serious structural damage by chew through wood and electrical wiring.
Winter Pests Include Insects and Rodents
Nebraska’s frigid winter raised hopes that insect pest populations might drop due to cold-related mortality. However, most soil temperatures remained above critical thresholds, meaning key pests likely survived. Soil temperatures across five key Nebraska locations remained largely above 30°F. Even during two major cold snaps in January and February, most sites only briefly dipped below 20°F. A snow cover during the February cold period helped stabilize soil warmth.
Most of these pests can activate allergies and asthma attacks, spread disease, transmit bacteria, contaminate food and sometimes, bite. The risks posed by these pests should not be taken lightly. An infestation by one or more of them can lead to serious health and property concerns if left uncontrolled or if they go undetected.
Steps Homeowners Can Take To Prevent Pests
- Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the house.
- Store items that are kept in garages, basements and attics in plastic, sealed containers to prevent rodents from nesting inside.
- Keep branches and shrubbery trimmed away from the home.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet from the structure and 5 feet off the ground.
- Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screen.
- Screen vents and openings to chimneys.
- Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly.