Autumn in Aotearoa: Pest Activity in the Cooler Months

It’s only natural that, as the weather cools down and the nights get longer, we tend to hunker in and get cosy. Nature does the same, with leaves falling and animals seeking shelter. But like us, nature doesn’t stop entirely. 

Why Does Pest Activity Increase in Autumn?

You may notice that, as you want to spend more time inside your house, there are also more pests and critters in there with you: rodents, cockroaches, spiders and more. That scratching coming from your walls is probably not just your imagination, but rather pests seeking warmth and shelter. Small as they might be, there are still plenty of dark, cosy corners where pests can hide in homes.

Generally speaking, this noticeable migration and increase in activity is caused by the drop in temperature. It seems counter-intuitive that this time of year, which we associate with hibernation and slowing down, leads to an increase in activity from these pest animals, but we can see pretty clearly how this comes about. 

Part of the issue of the cooler period is the decrease in available food sources while pest populations are high. Rodents have to get a bit more diligent and exploratory in their scavenging at this time of year – meaning their pest-y behaviours actually get worse. Rats are at a peak of their reproduction during autumn, which only increases competition for those limited sources. They have even been found to steal eggs from taonga fish species in their ventures for any viable food source. 

The other factor of this increased activity is simply that escaping from the cold is innate in animals – humans included. Pest animals are seeking shelter and unfortunately, to pests looking to keep warm, your house may seem like a perfect hiding spot. 

How to Tell If You Have Pests

There are many things to look out for that can be a giveaway that you have pests making your home into their own. Other than actually seeing a pest scurrying about your house, keep your eyes (and other senses) peeled for: 

• noises like scratching or tapping in walls and ceilings
• damage to your house – gnawed wood or insulation, chewed wires, or damaged food packaging
• unusual musty or oily odours 
• droppings in dark corners like pantries and cupboards
• shredded materials that may be used for nesting
• smudges along the floor or wall, especially near access points

It may be only a few pests, or it may be a growing community of them. It is always worth keeping an eye on them – and figuring out what types of pests are around. 

At Connovation, we have options for helping to determine which species are giving you grief: 

• Chew cards use non-toxic lures and the distinctive bite marks of different animals to figure out which ones are around. 

• Black Trakka tunnels utilise water-resistant ink and non-toxic lures to track what pests are present based on the footprints they leave on the tracking card. 

Determining which pests you’re dealing with is particularly helpful when it comes to being able to get them out of your home. 

Managing Uninvited Guests

It’s not fun having critters invading what is supposed to be your sanctuary. But more than the discomfort, it can be dangerous for your home. Rodents like rats and mice can chew through wiring and damage drywall, not to mention the diseases they can carry and spread. So it’s important to take whatever steps you can to ensure your home is safe from pests. 

Some measures you can take to prevent pests getting into your home are: 

• • Storing food properly and clearing away scraps – rodents and bugs may be attracted to the smell of food items, particularly when other sources are scarce. 
  • Trapping pest animals – while it’s harder to trap smaller critters, the larger pests which would do more damage, like rats and possums, can be kept out of your house through laying traps. 

• Tidying the yard – piles of fallen leaves and clutter in the garden can provide additional hiding spots for pests, giving them easy access to your house as well. 

• Sealing gaps around foundations, doors & windows – these little gaps are where pests will be gaining access to your house. 

There are a variety of traps suitable for urban use, particularly when it comes to getting rid of rodents. Once you’ve determined what kind of animals are around, you can take your pick from our wide range, which includes: 

• D-Rat Supervisor Max is an excellent trap for around the home, with a child- and pet-safe shield and user-friendly reset operation that takes mere seconds! 

• Ranger Mouse Bait Station and Alert 365 Double Rat Trap Tunnel – a handy way to keep traps tidy and contained, both tools have dual entry points and double trapping capacity for mice and rats respectively
• Individual traps to hide around the house or use inside bait stations or tunnels

Don’t make it any easier for pests to thrive in your home than you need to. Simple steps like these can make a great difference. 

Keep yourself and your loved ones safe this season!