Top 5 Pests Provo Homeowners Should Look Out for This Fall
As fall brings cooler temperatures to Provo, Utah, many pests begin seeking warmth and shelter indoors. While this season is perfect for enjoying the outdoors, it also marks the time when various pests look to invade homes. Being aware of the most common fall pests can help homeowners take the right steps to protect their homes and families. Here are the top five pests you should be on the lookout for this fall and how to keep them at bay.
Boxelder Bugs
Boxelder bugs are especially common in Provo during the fall. These black bugs with red or orange markings often congregate on the sunny sides of homes. As the weather cools, they attempt to enter homes through cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and walls in search of warmth.
While boxelder bugs don’t pose serious health risks, they can become a nuisance if they find their way inside. Their droppings can stain surfaces, emitting a foul odor when crushed. Preventing them from entering your home is key to avoiding a large infestation.
How to Prevent Boxelder Bugs:
- Seal any gaps around windows, doors, and siding.
- Use door sweeps and ensure screens are in good condition.
- Plant boxelder-resistant trees or avoid planting female boxelder trees near your home to reduce their attraction to your property.
Spiders
As fall arrives, so does “spider season” in Provo, as cooler temperatures drive many species of spiders indoors seeking warmth and shelter. Common house spiders are frequently spotted in homes, along with more concerning species like black widows. While most spiders are harmless and even beneficial for controlling other pests, their presence inside living spaces can be unsettling.
One of the scariest spider species like black widows pose a greater risk due to their venomous bites. Even less harmful spiders can make a home feel uncomfortable with webs appearing in corners, basements, and other hidden areas.
How to Prevent Spiders During Spider Season:
- Regularly clean and vacuum corners, basements, and windowsills to remove webs and reduce spider hiding spots.
- Seal gaps around windows and doors with weather stripping to block entry points.
- Keep clutter like firewood, boxes, and outdoor debris away from your home to minimize inviting environments for spiders.
Rodents (Mice and Rats)
As the weather gets colder, rodents such as house mice and Norway rats become more of a problem. They search for food, water, and shelter, often finding ways into homes through small openings in walls, foundations, and attics. Once inside, they can cause significant damage by gnawing on wires, insulation, and even pipes.
Rodents also carry diseases and can contaminate your food supply. Early prevention is essential to avoid the risks and damage caused by an infestation.
How to Prevent Rodents:
- Keep food sealed in airtight containers and clean up spills or crumbs immediately.
- Address any moisture issues, such as leaky pipes, to eliminate water sources.
- Inspect your home’s foundation and exterior walls for small gaps or holes and seal them with caulk or steel wool.
- Consider traps or professional rodent control solutions, or ask for help from a professional mouse exterminator if you detect rodent activity.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs tend to make their presence known in the fall as they seek warmth indoors. When disturbed or crushed, these shield-shaped insects release a strong odor, which can quickly become unpleasant if they make it inside your home.
Although stink bugs aren’t harmful to humans or pets, having them inside can be a significant annoyance, especially if they appear in large numbers.
How to Prevent Stink Bugs:
- Repair any damaged screens and add weather stripping to windows and doors.
- Seal gaps and cracks around siding, utility lines, and other entry points.
- Caulk any openings to prevent these bugs from slipping inside your home.
Ants
Ants, particularly carpenter ants, remain active into the fall, even though they’re usually associated with warmer months. Carpenter ants are especially concerning as they can damage your home by burrowing through wood. They can weaken structures over time if left unchecked, leading to costly repairs.
Additionally, smaller ant species can invade your kitchen in search of food, making them an ongoing issue through the fall months.
How to Prevent Ants:
- Keep your kitchen clean and food sealed in containers to reduce attractants.
- Fix any leaky pipes or areas with standing water, as ants need moisture.
- Trim tree branches and bushes that are close to your home to remove easy pathways for ants to enter.
Fall Pest Prevention for Provo Homes
Provo’s cool fall climate provides the perfect opportunity for pests to enter homes in search of warmth. Proactively preventing pests can save you the stress and damage of an infestation. Sealing entry points, keeping your home clean, and addressing potential problem areas can help keep pests out during the colder months.
Expert Pest Control Solutions for Provo Homeowners
If you notice any of these pests around your home, it’s important to act fast before they settle in for the winter. Professional pest control services can offer a thorough inspection and create customized solutions tailored to your home’s needs. At Serve Pest Control, we specialize in helping Provo residents protect their homes from the most common fall pests, using safe and effective treatments that keep pests away for good.
