Vibrant fall foliage and the popularity of pumpkin spice, among other things, often signal the start of the fall season in many parts of the country. Leaves are turning and the air is cooling, yet these aren’t the only changes occurring. Though commercial facilities are faced with pest pressures throughout the year, a change of season can bring different pest management challenges and new pest invaders.  Knowledge of common seasonal pests is crucial so you know what to look for and can discuss any sightings or findings to your pest management professional.

Common Fall Invaders

While there is an abundance of fall invaders, they can be grouped into two categories: ground invaders and air invaders. The ground fall pest invaders include:

Air invaders include:

  • Fruit flies
  • Boxelder bugs
  • Miller moths
  • House flies
  • Cluster flies

Insects and rodents known as overwintering pests plan to use commercial buildings to withstand the cold months ahead. Overwintering insects can start to appear in late summer and early fall as temperatures begin to drop and days start to get shorter. Multi-colored Asian lady beetles, brown marmorated stink bugs, cluster flies and boxelder bugs are among the most notorious insect offenders, due to the massive numbers that can overwinter together. Mated wasp queens do not over winter in large numbers, but they are a notable common seasonal inhabitant. Once these overwintering pests are inside your facility, they can create issues by either invading occupied spaces, or by dying in voids and attracting secondary pests. Rodents are in search of warm environments to spend the winter months, and will seek possible refuge through gaps or cracks in the exterior. They can also look to hide in storage areas and inside walls and insulation.

Fall Pest Prevention

Prepared with the knowledge of common fall invaders, you may want to know what you can do to aid pest prevention efforts during these months. Here are a few actions that would be helpful in keeping fall invaders at bay:

  • Trim back vegetation. Install an 18” wide perimeter of crushed rock or gravel to deter pests that may be attracted to your property.
  • Keep stored products off the floor to prevent pests from easily accessing these areas.
  • Examine all windows, doors and foundations for any cracks, keeping in mind that pests can gain access through the smallest of openings. Seal and caulk all cracks and repair or replace all damaged screens and windows.
  • Store all food products in sealed, pest proof containers.
  • Check door sweeps and weather stripping on windows to ensure they are properly fitting
  • Regularly and thoroughly clean even the hard-to-reach places, ensuring all areas to be crumb free.

Looking for more information on how to protect your business this season? Explore the rest of our blog for commercial pest management tips, or reach out to us with questions or inquires!

Photo by Dan Freeman on Unsplash