How to keep pests out of your home this winter

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Pests often show specific behaviors or patterns during the winter months due to the changes in temperature, humidity, and food availability.

Meteorologist Tommy House sat down with Alan Brown, a Board-Certified Entomologist, to discuss effective ways to keep pests out of your home.

Meteorologist Tommy House: As the winter months approach, what types of pests enter your house when the temperatures drop?

Alan Brown: We see a lot of the same pests that you might encounter in the summer, such as when it gets really hot, dry, or wet. However, there are a few in particular that we notice. One is the Asian lady beetle, which looks like a regular ladybug. They are especially bad about coming into houses this time of year, often gathering in large numbers and even getting into light fixtures, which can cause a strong odor. Another pest is overwintering queens, such as paper wasps. These wasps build nests around homes, and when the weather cools, the rest of the wasps die off, leaving behind one queen that will try to find a place to overwinter. We also see roaches, spiders, centipedes, and scorpions (in areas where those are common). Essentially, most pests are just looking for somewhere warm and cozy to spend the winter.

House: What kinds of measures can people take to keep their homes pest-free?

Brown: The number one thing for everyone, and really at any time of year, is sealing up the home to keep pests out. This includes sealing any gaps, cracks, and crevices around the outside of the house, ensuring that the weather stripping around doors is in good condition so pests don’t have an easy way to enter. You also need to check gable vents and roof joints to help keep rodents out. It's not just about bugs—rodents can also be a concern. Make sure screens are in good condition, weather stripping is intact, and that cracks, crevices, and weep holes are sealed to prevent pests from getting in. Additionally, it's important to move firewood away from the house and keep any debris or clutter around the home cleared. This helps create a barrier that discourages pests. If needed, you can also use pesticide treatments that repel pests to further help keep them away.