Pest control is important year-round, but during the winter months, your home may have additional pest control needs. There are a number of pests that are particularly active during the winter, so you will have to be diligent in order to prevent problems inside your house. If you have a pest infestation during the winter, it is important to act quickly and contact a pest control company to get the issue resolved. Here are some common pests that are found in homes during the winter months.

Rodents

One of the biggest pest issues that homeowners face during the winter months are rodents. Mice and rats can squeeze through very small spaces, so they often make their way into homes through small holes and cracks. Rodents usually begin invading homes when the weather turns cold in order to find a warm place to build nests as well as to access food and water. A rodent infestation is a serious concern — rodents can cause a lot of damage to a home, and they can also carry diseases. If you see evidence of mice or rats in your home, don't think that setting out a couple of traps will take care of the problem. In order to eradicate the issue, you will need to hire a pest control company to locate the nest and use the right type of baits.

Raccoons

Like rodents, raccoons can also invade homes during the winter to find a warm nesting site. In some cases, raccoons may enter a home through the attic, while in other cases they may set up a den in crawl spaces under a home. Raccoons can be quite vicious, and they can also carry rabies, so they are a danger to humans and household pets. During the fall months, carefully inspect your home to ensure that the chimney and attic vents are sealed. You should also take measures to secure crawl spaces. Always keep trash cans locked so trash doesn't attract raccoons to your property.

Cockroaches

In many areas, winters are cold and dry, which means that common pests like cockroaches do not have easy access to water. Thus,when water is not abundant outside, roaches will head indoors. If you want to prevent a cockroach infestation, eliminate water sources, such as leaking pipes or dripping faucets. In the event that there are already cockroaches in your home, hire a pest control company to treat your house.