Do you have crawl space in your home? If so, it’s important to be aware of the pests that might move into this dark, damp area during the winter months. What Pests Might be Living in Your Crawl Space this Winter Pests like mice, camel crickets, cellar spiders and even brown recluse spiders can all find a cozy home in crawl spaces where they can stay warm and protected from predators. To help keep your crawl space pest-free this winter season, let’s take a look at each of these common crawl space pests and how to tell if you have them.
Common Crawl Space Invaders
Mice –
Mice are one of the most common crawl space pests, especially during the cold weather season. If you hear scratching or scurrying sounds coming from your crawlspace or see droppings, this is a sign that you may have mice living in your crawlspace. You can also watch for gnaw marks, rub marks, unusual odors and chewed up food packaging.
Crickets –
Camel crickets can also be found living in your crawl space. These pests are known for their large, humped back and long antennae. They tend to feed on decaying organic matter or other insects, so it’s important to keep the area clean and free of potential food sources.
Cellar Spiders –
Cellar spiders are another common crawl space pest. These spiders usually hang out near ceilings or higher up walls and create messy webs that can contain hundreds of eggs. If you see webs with several round egg sacs in your crawl space, this is a telltale sign that there are cellar spiders present.
Brown Recluse Spiders –
Brown recluse spiders can also be found in crawl spaces. These spiders are usually pale brown and have a distinctive dark, violin-shaped marking on their back. If you find spiders with this dark marking in your crawl space, it’s best to contact an exterminator right away as they can be dangerous.
Preventing Crawl Space Invaders
Now that you know the pests that can find their way into crawl spaces, let’s take a look at some of the steps you can take to help prevent them from entering your crawl space.
1. Make sure to seal any items stored in your crawl space in plastic bins with tight-fitting lids. This will help protect any potential food sources from unwanted critters.
2. Be sure to properly seal the entry to your crawl space with weatherstripping or caulk and patch any holes or cracks with steel wool and silicone caulk.
3. Periodically inspect your crawl space for signs of pests so you can take action as soon as possible if needed.
Taking these simple measures can help keep crawl space critters from becoming a problem this winter. With this knowledge, you can rest easy knowing that your crawl space is properly protected and pest-free. If critters do invade your crawl space, call The Pest Force!