Winter Pests 101: Common Star Valley Pests During the Winter Season
When winter weather arrives in Star Valley, Wyoming, some pests go into hibernation while others enter homes seeking warmth and food sources. Star Valley homeowners can take several precautions against common winter pests like mice and spiders. Follow this guide of quick tips for DIY pest control over the next few months.
Mice
The house mouse is the most commonly encountered rodent in the winter in Star Valley. House mice usually nest in dark, secluded areas like attics and basements. This rodent can cause serious property damage by chewing through drywall and also wires that can then spark an electrical fire. House mice are also known to contaminate food and spread diseases, including Salmonella and tapeworms.
Quick tips:
Mice can fit through an opening as small as a dime. Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home with caulk and steel wool.
Keep areas clear and store boxes off of the floor because mice like to hide in clutter.
Regularly inspect the home for signs of mice, such as droppings, gnaw marks, and damaged food.
Spiders
Spiders prefer to spin webs in undisturbed places, such as closets, attics, crawl spaces, and basements. Most spiders are frequently found inside cardboard boxes, along window moldings, and in seldom-used clothing and shoes.
Quick tips:
Keep trees and shrubs trimmed away from the home and cut back limbs overhanging the roof. This will help reduce the chance of spiders finding a way inside.
Store clothing and shoes inside plastic containers. Pay special attention to shoes, baseball mitts and gloves that aren’t used as frequently as other items, as spiders like to hide inside them.
