Right about now, curling up in front of a warm fire seems like heaven. But as we shed our lawn care responsibilities and retreat indoors for the winter we need to be more vigilant than ever. Humans are the only creatures that hate the cold weather. A host of pests are also looking for a warm place to spend the winter. Your home might be a little more attractive than an old rotten log or a hole in the ground. If you haven’t properly inspected your home for damage or cracks, you could be inviting these pests to stay the winter with you. 
Mice
Mice are the number one cause for concern in Charlotte homes. There are plenty of hiding spots for mice in our homes. Basements, crawl spaces, and attics are ideal places for mice to build their nests. Mice are chewers and they can chew through almost anything. They can even chew through drywall and live between your walls and ceilings.
Check For:
Droppings: Mice droppings are about 1/4 inch and are pointed on both ends. You will find them along walls, behind boxes, and under shelves.
Urine Smell: A strong urine smell is a sign that you might be facing a large infestation.
Gnaw Marks: Mice need to gnaw to keep their teeth from growing too long. Look for gnaw marks along wooden beams, cardboard boxes, and insulation.
Seeds: Mice love to gather and store seeds. Sometimes you may stumble upon these caches of seeds when you move a box. This is also an indicator that the mice are coming in and out of your house from somewhere.
Brown Recluse Spiders
The brown recluse is one of the most deadly spiders in the world and the second most deadly in the United States behind the black widow. Brown recluse spiders prefer to hide in out of the way places where humans rarely tread. In your home, this would be the basement or attic. Although deadly, these spiders rarely bite humans and only do so when threatened. So be careful cleaning out that basement or moving Christmas decorations that haven’t been moved in some time.
The symptoms of a brown recluse bite include swelling, fever, joint pain, chills, faintness, seizures, and coma. If you have been bitten by a brown recluse spider, see your doctor immediately.
Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and ticks don’t like the cold but certain types of ticks can survive in temperatures as low as 30 degrees. During the fall these pests can hop onto you or your pets can hitch a ride into your home. Your home is at an ideal temperature where fleas and ticks will continue to breed through the winter. With fleas and ticks, prevention is the best way to keep yourself safe. Always check your pets after they come in with a flea comb and bathe them regularly. 
Raccoons
Raccoons may seem cute and cuddly but they are a nuisance to homeowners all year long. Raccoons are known for their ability to open jars, lids, locks, doors, and trash can lids. In the winter they don’t hibernate like other mammals but instead will forage for food throughout the winter. Raccoons will also look for warm places to make a nest. This can be in haylofts of barns, outbuildings, and the attic of your home.
Call The Pest Control Experts at Cramer
If winter pests are driving you up the wall, call the professionals at Cramer Pest Control. We have years of experience dealing with pests of all shapes and sizes. If you want to protect your home from fall pests this year, then ask about our residential pest control program.
Own a business? With our Commercial Pest Control program, we can save your small business from being overrun with pests.
Don’t wait for the problem to get out of control, call us now at (704) 763-0204 or (803) 802-7540 to get started. You can also contact us here for more information. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for the latest deals and check our blog for monthly pest control tips and tricks.