Overwintering Pests

Professional Overwintering Pest Tulsa OK

Overwintering is part of many insect species’ routine. The dormant state generally begins with the onset of winter and ends in mid-spring. Overwintering pests are not partial to spending the dormant state outdoors, exposed to the winter elements – snow, sleet, rain, low temperatures, and wind.

What Overwintering Pest Species Can Be Found In Tulsa Oklahoma?

There are various overwintering pest species living in Tulsa. These species include the box elder bug, ladybug, stinkbug, cluster fly, and leaf-footed pine seed bug. It is crucial to know as much about these insect species as possible. A home infiltration by overwintering pests is more common between late fall and early winter.

Box Elder “Boxelder” Bug

Boxelder bugs grow up to 0.5 inches in length, with black wings outlined in bright red. The diet consists of sap from seeds and cones from various tree species. Boxelder bugs are nuisance bests that may or may not bite when provoked by humans or insects. Fortunately, the insect is non-venomous, minimizing the risk of a medical crisis if bitten.

Small openings in damaged siding, mortar, vents, soffit, window frames, and entrance door thresholds are utilized for infiltrating residential and commercial establishments. The most notable feature of the box elder bug is a pyridine secretion that emits a foul odor and staining agent when the insect feels threatened, stressed, or injured.

Ladybug “Asian Lady Beetle

The ladybug is a small insect that carries a shell everywhere it goes. The thin shell covers the insect’s wings, which vary from orange, yellow, and red with black polka dots. Like the box elder bug, the ladybug emits a foul odor related to a pyridine-based secretion.

Ladybugs do bite when provoked. Fortunately, the insect is non-venomous, reducing the risk of serious allergic reactions.

Cluster Fly

The cluster fly shares the same features as the common housefly. Translucent wings, two pairs of legs, two antennas, and a brown or black body. The insect is a parasite of the earthworm until maturity. In the natural habitat, cluster flies enter the overwintering state will take shelter underneath woodpiles, weak tree bark, and other structures to avoid the winter elements.

Cluster flies pose health risks to humans, following home filtration.

Leaf-Footed Pine Seed Bug

The leaf-footed pine seed bug grows up to 0.75 (¾) of an inch in length. The body is dark brown, with three sets of legs and two antennas. The diet consists of sap from seeds and cones from various tree species.

In the natural habitat, the insect takes refuge in conifer and pine trees, small gaps in damaged buildings, and shrubs. The leaf-footed pine seed bug remains in the overwintering state until the temperatures begin to warm the following spring. The insect’s large size makes it easier to detect than most other overwintering pest species.

The insect does not sting but has shown to cause significant danger to specific structural components of a building.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug “BMSB”

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) is also referred to as the stinkbug. The adult grows up to 0.5 (½) inches in length, with a shield-shaped shell. Marmorated is related to the insect’s coloration, which is light tan and marbled. The insect originated from China, making its way to Philadelphia in the 1980s.

The stinkbug feeds on orchard fruit (apples and pears) and various types of crops and plants. In its natural habitat, the stinkbug hides in bushes, underneath woodpiles, and cracks in the damaged siding. The insect remains in an overwintering state until the weather warms the following spring.

Like the box elder bug and ladybug, the stinkbug generates a pyridine secretion that is released when threatened, stressed, or injured. It is not recommended to crush these insects, but to vacuum them up routinely.

What Are The Most Common Signs Of An Overwintering Pest Infiltration?

The most common signs of an overwintering pest infiltration are live insects in your home. Overwintering pests crawling on ceilings, floors, walls, furniture, and other structures, in search of hiding places inside your home. This is the first sign of an overwintering pest infiltration.

Another sign of overwintering pest infiltration is a foul odor related to pyridine secretion. The ladybug, stinkbug, and box elder bug generate the secretion as part of a safety mechanism to deter predators from attacking them.

Insect fecal droppings in areas where the overwintering pests travel is another sign of infiltration. Most overwintering pests do not feed or reproduce following home infiltration. They immediately get to work, searching for a damp, dark, warm, and discrete hiding place.

What Can I Do To Protect My Tulsa Home From An Overwintering Pest Infiltration?

Sealing all exterior-to-interior access points into your home is the only way to prevent infiltration of overwintering pests. Utilize caulk or silicone to seal all tiny openings that lead from the exterior to the interior of your home.

Educating other household members is also a necessity for overwintering pest prevention. Every occupant of the home should know the ins and outs of overwintering pests. Know how to identify them, differentiate between each species, and the signs of an infestation. With this information in hand, prevention will come naturally.

Repair Or Replace Damaged Screened-Openings

Screens covering doors and windows will wear down over time. The purpose of screens is to keep the elements, animals, and insects out of your home while allowing the air to circulate freely. Repair or replace screens with openings to keep overwintering pests from utilizing them as access points.

Most Common Home Infiltration Access Points

Any opening that leads from the outside to the inside of your home will make the perfect entry point for overwintering pests. These pest species are very diligent when it comes to avoiding the winter elements outdoor in the overwintering state. Regardless of hard some people try, overwintering pests will still infiltrate their homes.

All openings, such as those in the missing mortar between two bricks. It is recommended to utilize mortar repair or other sealants to repair and replace the joints.

Gaps In Vulnerable Window And Door Frames

Exterior window and door frames sustain damage hourly due to long-term element exposure. It is crucial to routinely inspect the structural components to determine if they are in good working condition. Gaps should be filled with a waterproof caulk or silicone.

Fascia And Clapboards

Housing developers oftentimes overlook gaps between fascia board and clapboard. These gaps are not always blocked by plywood or other materials. It is crucial to fill these gaps to prevent them from becoming overwintering pest entry points into your home.

Utilize foam insulation to fill the gaps.

Attic Vents And Soffit

Birds, rodents, and insects oftentimes infiltrate buildings through the vulnerable soffit and attic vents. It is recommended to cover the vent with a wire screen to keep rodents and birds from entering your attic.

The damaged soffit may need to be replaced because the vinyl material may be damaged beyond repair. Wasps, spiders, and some overwintering pest species will utilize damaged soffit to infiltrate buildings.

Water And Sewage Pipes

Sewage and water pipes, as well as electrical wiring, is brought into a building through large openings. The pipes run from the main septic system or public sewage line into the home and to bathtubs, showers, toilets, and kitchen and bathroom sinks.

Electrical wiring is brought into the home from a main electrical source. The wiring is run to the exterior or interior electrical box and into the home. The openings utilized for these utility lines should be sealed completely off, utilizing plywood or metal sheeting.

Materials Utilized To Seal Overwintering Pest Home Access Points

• A waterproof sealant (caulk and silicone)
• Foam insulation in a spray can
• Plywood and metal sheeting customized to fit
• Metal screens
• Stainless steel pot scrubbers

Do not hesitate to reach out to our Tulsa extermination team to learn more about professional overwintering pest control.

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