It’s getting late in the year, it’s wintry outside and we’re hiding inside for heat. But we’re not the only ones. Insects and pests are generally more readily associated with the milder weather of spring and summer, but it’s when it gets cold that so many of the problems begin. Mice, rats and even some insects will want to stay warm and your nice, cosy, centrally heated flat is just the sort of place to find it.

Rodent infestation increase dramatically over the the fall and winter months, and surprisingly they can happen in both towns and the countryside. Rats and mice are attracted to sources of food as much as warmth and the large quantities of waste found in towns such as London mean there's plenty available for them there. A simple technique to reduce the probability of infestation is to ensure that your junk isn’t left out for days or else is stored in a safe bin. Otherwise, the mice will find it, start breeding and you might very quickly find an infestation on your hands.

Rats and mice have a sense of smell many times as strong as a human being's. Like many animals, scents and smells are essential to their survival, since they use their urine to mark out territory, objects and routes. One may deter rodents by laying
down strong odours. Mothballs are a basic and effective method, although the strong scent may also become unpleasant for we human beings too.Thus it’s a strategy more suitable to out-of-the way areas that are prone to infestation, such as attics, cellars and sheds or perhaps caravans and campers which may end up being left uninhabited over the winter.

Wasps are typically a summer problem, but the recent hot weather means that plenty of wasps are remaining active much later than is typical. Those nests which remain outside will be unlikely to survive the first frost, but those inside - hidden away in attics, sheds or barns - may survive into late October and November. The new queen will ordinarily have left the nest after the summer, but those wasps left behind continue to look for food. Like many of us, they can get a bit tipsy as Christmas draws near, as often the only food available is fruit which has fallen from a tree and has begun to ferment. Having said that, many wasps are at their most dangerous at this time of the year; as the hunt for food becomes more difficult, the insects can become progressively more aggressive. Like rodents you can lower the chances of you attracting wasps by not leaving food out for longer than is necessary. If there are just a few wasps about, a trap might be sufficient to take care of them, but the best approach is to simply wait for them to fly away.

Winter brings its own difficulties in terms of unwanted pests, but to be informed is to be prepared. You can find any number of small, preventative measures you can take to fend off pest infestations, but keep in mind dealing with an established nest directly is a problem that is better left to the professionals. And remember, it might not just be you who’s keeping warm in your house this winter.