Get ready for ticks and rodents: How to keep pests away from your PA home this fall
While fall isn’t the time most people typically worry about pest infestations, the season pushes some species indoors seeking warmth, and they might cause problems in your Pennsylvania home.
The National Pest Management Association’s 2022 fall and winter forecast predicts Pennsylvania residents will see higher than normal populations of ticks even into the early winter months.
“Expect relief from mosquitoes and stinging insects when cooler fall temperatures move into the region. However, average fall temperatures could allow tick activity to remain high into the early winter months. Look for rodents to begin moving indoors in search of shelter and resources as temperatures continue to drop,” the NPMA’s seasonal prediction for the Northeast and New England region reads.
NPMA chief entomologist Jim Fredericks told the Centre Daily Times ticks only need a small window of warmer weather to become active.
“Now, we don’t normally think about ticks as winter-time pests. But unlike stink bugs and rodents, which are going to seek shelter indoors, ticks will enter a state of dormancy as the weather cools,” Fredericks said.
On warmer fall and winter days, when it reaches around 50 degrees, ticks will become active and start seeking hosts, Fredericks said.
Ticks shouldn’t be as much of an issue as they are in spring and summer because there are generally fewer warm days, but one walk in the woods when it’s 50 degrees outside could be enough for a tick to hitchhike.
If you spend time outside on a warmer fall or winter day, you should wear a bug repellent designed to protect against ticks and check yourself and any pets or belongings for ticks after, Fredericks said.
“If you can find and remove a tick within the first 24 hours, you can substantially reduce the likelihood that tick will transmit pathogens that cause things like Lyme disease,” Fredericks added.
Fredericks recommended people take a shower when they get indoors, as it makes the tick check easier. If you find a tick when you’re in the shower, you can usually wash it right off.
In addition to ticks, the NPMA warns rodents, particularly house mice, may bother Pennsylvania residents this fall and winter.
House mice typically enter the home through gaps and crevices, and they only need a dime-sized hole to get inside, Fredericks noted.
One common entry point in homes is where garage doors reach the ground, Fredericks said, because worn-down seals may allow enough space for rodents.
It’s important to be aware and stay on the lookout for mice, so you can identify an infestation before it becomes less manageable. A single mouse can produce up to 25,000 droppings in a year, Fredericks continued, and droppings may be the first sign mice have entered your home.
Pest professionals may be able to help with mice problems, and there are also several home remedies.
If you opt for a live trap and release method, make sure to check with local regulations before dropping the rodent off in a remote location at least 2 miles away from your home.
