Ever notice an increase in the number of bugs you find in your home when it is cold outside? Think about it, trees no longer have leaves and the ground is cold and hard. During the winter months, the outdoors can be just as unappealing to bugs as it is to us humans!
During the winter months, most bugs that you find like ladybugs and those gray shield-like beetles, are coming from outside in search of a warm place to hibernate. Thus the best preventative measure against these creepy critters, is to find out where they can be entering your home and preventing them from getting inside in the first place!
View the slideshow above for the most common winter insects you'll find in your house and how to get rid of them!
For more tips on pest control, take a look at Pest Control: 15 Ways Creatures Are Coming Into Your Home, and Wacky Ways to Keep Mice Away.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Box Elder Bug
These guys come into your home like all other bugs, through tiny cracks or under doors. They may also sneak in by hitching a ride on your clothes or bags. They are actually quite harmless since they will not reproduce in your home or eat anything there either.
Photo Credit: flickr/born1945
Protect Your Home From the Box Elder Bug
During the fall, spray the sides of your home with a chemical based product if you want to avoid these guys crawling into your homes for shelter during the winter.
Photo Credit: flickr/backpackphotography
Ladybird Beetles (Ladybugs)
Although these bugs are a desirable find in your garden they are not something you expect to find in your house. Fortunately like most of the insects in this article, they don't pose any kinds of health or infestation risks.
Photo Credit: Corbis
Protect Your Home From Ladybugs
If you can stand them in your house, you might as well leave them there. They will get up and leave in the springtime once they're down hibernating. If you cant take them, remove them with a broom or vacuum cleaner.
Photo Credit: flickr/elias_Daniel
Ground Beetle
Prevent large populations of these bugs by maintaining your yard area and keeping it free of piles of lumber or yard trimmings. Any leaves or debris are places these bugs can hide.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Protect Your Home From the Ground Beetle
When the cold months hit, they can crawl into your home through windowsills, tears in window screens, or under door cracks. Best protection against these beetles is to inspect your home for areas where they could be entering.
Photo Credit:
Stink Bug
They cluster on the outside of your home during fall. Then in winter, when they hibernate, they seek out warm areas to hide like insulated walls, light fittings and floorboards. The emit an odor when crushed, so stepping on them may not be the best option if indoors.
Photo Credit: flickr/Davynin
Protect Your Home From the Stink Bug
To protect your home against an invasion of these repair common entry points like ripped screens, cracks in doors and windowsills. To get rid of them, either sweep them outside, or suck them into a vacuum.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Bed Bugs
These little critters are just awful to deal with and get rid of. Bed bugs don't live on their hosts bodies for a long time, but they will hang out in clothing. One easy way to bring bed bugs home with you is in your luggage after staying somewhere that is infested.
Photo Credit: flickr/Medill DC
Protect Your Home From Bed Bugs
Getting rid of bedbugs can prove to be an enormous task! Call in the professionals for this one!
Photo Credit: Getty Images
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