It’s time to open the cottage… but not to pests!

Opening the cottage after a long, cold winter renews the soul. It heralds days filled with family fun, leisurely evenings, a return to nature and respite from our hectic lives.

Unfortunately, you have work to do before you can comfortably settle in.

Besides cleaning and verifying that mechanical and plumbing systems are working properly, be on the lookout for overwintering pests.

What are overwintering pests?

Overwintering pests are critters that escape cold weather, often by moving indoors when they can. They tuck into cozy, quiet spaces through small gaps, holes and cracks, which can be plentiful in older cottages. As temperatures increase in late spring, they ‘wake up’ from their diapause and begin moving about. This can leave you with a cottage full of uninvited guests.

According to experts at Pest HQ, Ontario’s leading supplier of do-it-yourself pest control products, common pests that overwinter in cottages include:

Brown marmorated stink bugs

Shaped like a shield, these bugs look intimidating and emit a foul odor when squished. And while they don’t harm or bite humans, they may enter your cottage by the thousands. Stink bugs are an agricultural pest and most noticeable in areas where soybeans are grown.

When temperatures warm, they emerge from cracks and crevices into your living space.  

Asian lady beetles

Another invasive pest, Asian lady beetles also are known to overwinter in cottages by the thousands. They look similar to Canada’s native lady bugs but have a black W- or M-shaped mark behind their heads. They may bite and stain surfaces. When crushed, they emit a strong odor.

Flies

Nothing is worse than entering the cottage to find hordes of flies buzzing around the windows, just like a scene from The Amityville Horror franchise.

Often the culprit is cluster flies, which – you guessed it – cluster together in large numbers to overwinter, often in walls and attics. They awaken in warmer temperatures.

Though gross and certainly a nuisance, the flies are quite harmless. They feed on nectar and pollen and don’t transmit disease. The flies are parasites of earthworms and are found wherever the worms exist in nature.

Mice

Cottages are mice magnets. They’re located in natural areas and quiet for long periods of time with no human activity. Gaps are plentiful, which provides easy access to cozy interiors.

Like all rodents, mice need to chew to keep their ever-growing teeth in check. They chew wires, which can cause cottages to catch fire. They also poop and pee everywhere they go – counters, stoves, cupboards. This not only smells bad but breathing in airborne particles of urine and feces can cause serious health problems.

If you find pests when you open up the cottage

Pest HQ experts say the easiest way to get rid of stink bugs, Asian lady beetles and flies is to physically remove them. Do this by hand or use a HEPA vacuum. A natural insecticide can help knock down the insects. Discover natural pest control methods.

Also effective for capturing flies: flying insect traps that use light and / or sticky surfaces (fly ribbons, window stickers). Explore fly control options.

Mice pose a more challenging problem. Trapping the secretive, nocturnal critters is your best approach. Pest HQ experts recommend professional-grade traps to eliminate mice. Assume more than one mouse got indoors and put out numerous traps. Check traps regularly to rebait and remove carcasses. Learn how to trap mice fast and effectively.

To control mice indoors, you also can use rodenticide bait, which is sealed in a locked station. But you will need to find the mouse carcasses, since the mice may travel away from the station before they die. If you don’t find the carcasses in time, they will start to smell.

Prevent pests from overwintering in the future

The best way to keep pests from entering the cottage is to seal up gaps and cracks. Inspect the structure thoroughly and fill gaps with high-quality exclusion materials. These materials will keep out insects, as well as mice, which can chew through builder’s caulk. Get in-depth exclusion tips for keeping mice out of the cottage.

Monitor for insects using glue traps. Set rodent traps to gauge mouse activity. Check traps regularly. If they show activity, you know you need to elevate your response.

For stink bugs, lady beetles and flies, apply natural and botanical insecticide to repel the intruders. Focus applications on soffits, gables, dormers, cracks, crevices, even in the attic.

Be ready for overwintering pests when you open the cottage

Before heading to the cottage to open up, make sure you have the right tools on hand to address any infestations and to prevent future intrusions.

Order insect and rodent control materials online from Pest HQ. Items ship fast or can be picked up at our headquarters: 7 Meridian Rd, Etobicoke, Ontario, Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Want to know more about protecting your cottage from pests? Our experts are here to help. Contact Pest HQ.

Read more:

When overwintering pest are most active

How to inspect your cottage for pests
Everything you want to know about natural pest control