Fall Pest Invasion: Why Pests Love Your Warm Home

As the vibrant fall colors start painting the trees across Virginia and the temperatures drop, there’s a hidden migration happening—pests are moving into your home. While you’re unpacking sweaters and lighting your first fire of the season, pests like rodents, stink bugs, and spiders are looking for the same thing you are: warmth, shelter, and food.

Here’s why your home becomes a prime target in the fall—and how you can keep pests out before winter arrives.

 Why Pests Invade in the Fall

As fall temperatures dip below 60°F, outdoor pests start looking for places to overwinter. They don’t hibernate in nature like you might expect. Instead, they find cracks, crevices, or vents in your home to squeeze through and settle inside walls, basements, attics, or crawl spaces.

Unlike summer infestations that stay outside in gardens or garages, fall infestations happen indoors, making them harder to detect—and more expensive to remove if left untreated.

 Common Fall Invaders in Virginia Homes

1. Rodents (Mice and Rats)

Chew through wires, insulation, and wood

Can cause electrical fires and carry disease

Often nest in attics, walls, or basements

2. Stink Bugs

Emit a strong odor when crushed

Enter through vents, siding gaps, or chimneys

Overwinter silently and reappear in spring

3. Spiders

Often move indoors to escape the cold

Build webs in corners, basements, and garages

While most are harmless, nobody wants them in their home

4. Ants

Search for food and moisture sources

Often set up colonies near kitchens or bathrooms

5. Boxelder Bugs & Ladybugs

Enter homes in large numbers

Gather near windows or walls on sunny days

Harmless but annoying in large groups

 7 Simple Ways to Pest-Proof Your Home This Fall

Keeping pests out starts with making your home less inviting. Here’s how:

Seal cracks and gaps in the foundation, around windows, and door frames with silicone caulk.

Install door sweeps on all exterior doors and weather stripping around windows.

Check and repair screens on windows, attic vents, and dryer vents.

Keep firewood stored at least 20 feet away from your home.

Trim tree branches and shrubs that touch your house—pests use these like bridges.

Fix leaky pipes and eliminate standing water to reduce moisture-loving pests.

Declutter basements and attics, where pests love to hide.

 Why You Should Schedule a Seasonal Inspection

Even with great prevention, pests can still find their way in. A professional inspection from Sanpro VA Pest Control can:

Identify hidden entry points you might miss

Detect early signs of infestation

Apply preventive treatments before pests settle in

Offer customized solutions for your home and family

Fall is the best time to catch problems early—before pests make themselves at home for the winter.

 Final Thought

Pests don’t just go away when the cold sets in—they move in. Your warm, quiet home is the perfect winter hideaway for rodents, insects, and other invaders. The best defense is a strong offense: seal up, clean up, and call in the pros.

At Sanpro VA Pest Control, we specialize in fall pest prevention. Contact us today for a seasonal inspection and keep your home pest-free through the fall and beyond.