As the leaves change and a chill fills the air, you might be focused on holiday plans and cozy nights in. However, the drop in temperature also signals a shift in pest behavior. Many critters that were happy outdoors during the summer are now looking for a warm, sheltered place to spend the winter, and your home is the perfect spot.
Understanding which pests are most active during this time of year is the first step in keeping your home secure. This guide will walk you through the most common November pests in the Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo areas. We’ll explain what to look for and how to prevent these unwelcome guests from making your home their own.
Why Pest Activity Increases in the Fall
As outdoor temperatures drop, pests like rodents and insects begin their search for three key things: food, water, and shelter. Your home offers all of these in abundance. Small cracks in your foundation, gaps around windows, and openings for utility lines can serve as an open invitation. Once inside, these pests can cause damage, contaminate food, and in some cases, pose health risks to your family.
Common November Pests to Watch Out For
While some summer pests disappear, others become more determined to get indoors. Here are the main culprits you might encounter in your home this November.
Rodents (Mice and Rats)
Mice and rats are perhaps the most common pests to invade homes during the fall and winter. They can squeeze through incredibly small openings—a mouse needs only a dime-sized hole, and a rat can fit through a quarter-sized gap.
Signs of an Infestation:
- Droppings: Small, dark, pellet-shaped droppings are often found in kitchen cabinets, pantries, and along baseboards.
- Gnaw Marks: Look for evidence of chewing on food packaging, furniture, and wires. Damaged wiring is a significant fire hazard.
- Nests: Rodents build nests from shredded materials like paper, fabric, and insulation. You might find these in secluded areas like attics, basements, or behind appliances.
- Noises: Scratching or scurrying sounds in your walls or ceiling, especially at night, are a strong indicator of a rodent problem.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs have become a familiar nuisance across New York. While they don’t cause structural damage or bite, they release a foul odor when crushed or threatened. In the fall, they gather in large numbers on the sunny sides of buildings before finding their way inside to overwinter.
Signs of an Infestation:
- The most obvious sign is seeing the bugs themselves. They are often found near windows, on curtains, and in light fixtures.
- While they don’t reproduce indoors during winter, their presence can be a major annoyance, and they will emerge in the spring to go back outside.
Spiders
Like other pests, spiders move indoors during the fall to find warmth and food. The presence of spiders often indicates that other insects are also in your home, as they are a primary food source. Common house spiders you might see include the American House Spider, cellar spiders, and wolf spiders.
Signs of an Infestation:
- Webs: The most telltale sign is an increase in cobwebs, particularly in corners, basements, and less-disturbed areas of your home.
- Egg Sacs: You may find silk-spun egg sacs attached to webs or surfaces.
- Seeing Spiders: An increase in spider sightings is a clear sign they have moved in for the season.
Boxelder Bugs
Boxelder bugs are black with distinct red or orange markings. They feed on boxelder trees but seek shelter in homes and buildings as winter approaches. Similar to stink bugs, they congregate on warm, sunny exterior walls before slipping through cracks and crevices.
Signs of an Infestation:
- Large groups of these insects on the exterior of your home, especially on south- and west-facing walls.
- Finding the bugs indoors near windows and in warm spots. They do not cause damage but can stain surfaces with their excrement.
Lady Beetles (Asian Lady Beetles)
Though they resemble the beneficial ladybug, Asian lady beetles are an invasive species that can become a pest. They enter homes in large numbers in the fall to escape the cold. They can bite (more of a pinch) and release a yellow, smelly fluid when disturbed.
Signs of an Infestation:
- Swarms of these beetles on and inside your home, particularly around windows and in wall voids.
- A distinct, unpleasant odor when they are present in large numbers.
How to Protect Your Home This November
Preventing pests from entering your home is always the best strategy. Here are some proactive steps you can take:
- Seal Entry Points: Carefully inspect the exterior of your home for cracks and holes. Use caulk to seal gaps around windows, doors, and where utility lines enter the house.
- Install Door Sweeps: Place sweeps on the bottom of all exterior doors to block small pests from crawling underneath.
- Repair Screens: Check your window and door screens for tears and repair them promptly.
- Store Food Properly: Keep food, including pet food, in airtight containers to cut off a major food source for pests.
- Reduce Clutter: Eliminate clutter in basements, attics, and garages. Pests love to use boxes and stored items as hiding spots and nesting sites.
- Manage Landscaping: Keep shrubs and tree branches trimmed back from your house. A clear perimeter makes it harder for pests to cross from the yard to your home.
When It’s Time to Call the Professionals
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a pest infestation can take hold. If you’re seeing signs of pests or want to ensure your home is fully protected, it’s time to call in the experts.
At Town & Country Solutions, we have been protecting homes in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse for over 30 years. Our “Everything Package” offers complete, year-round coverage against over 45 common household pests, including all the November invaders mentioned above. With two seasonal preventative applications and unlimited service calls, you can have peace of mind knowing your home is secure. Don’t let pests take over your home this fall.
Ready to secure your home? Contact Town & Country Solutions today for a free quote and let us handle all your pest control needs.
