That's right woodchuck chuckers, it's… GROUNDHOG DAY! This morning, both Punxsutawney Phil and our local groundhog, General Beauregard Lee, saw their shadows. The Yellow River Game Ranch, which housed General Beauregard Lee until December of 2017, boasts his accuracy rate is the highest of any predicting groundhogs at 94%.
According to tradition, if the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring. This means cold is here to stay for a while, if you trust a large rodent for your weather forecast. If we're in for more winter, what does that mean for pests?
The good news is that in colder weather, most insects aren't stirring around so you're less likely to see them in your home. However, insects aren't the only pests you have to watch out for. Cold weather means more instances of wildlife in the home because they are seeking shelter from the cold. This means you're more likely to see rodents such as mice, rats or squirrels in the house. Some of the first signs of rodents in your home will be scratching sounds, bumping and rolling noises in the wall voids or the attic.
What if the groundhogs are wrong?
An early spring means warmer weather, but what does it mean for pests? The biggest concern when the weather starts to warm in the south is termites. Once there are a few consecutive days warmer than 70 degrees, ground temperatures begin to rise and termites begin to swarm. Noticing these termite swarms doesn't necessarily mean they are feasting on your house, but you should defintely make sure that your home is adequately protected against termites.
In addition to termites, ants usually begin to stir from the ground, branching out to build new colonies and even venture into your home for food. Other insects that begin to emerge and reproduce include spiders, roaches, houseflies and bees and wasps.
Contact a local pest control company for pest and wildlife control or learn how Cingo's Protection Promise means affordable pest control from every single pest.
About Cingo: The name Cingo means to surround and secure, conveying the company's commitment to home protection. The company has been protecting families in the Southeast since 1974. It provides home protection services throughout Georgia and South Carolina, including Atlanta, Augusta, Charleston, Douglas, Dublin, Milledgeville, Savannah, Vidalia, Waycross and all points in between. Cingo was named a Best Place to Work in Georgia by Georgia Trend Magazine and listed as a National Best & Brightest Company to Work For. Learn more at www.cingohome.com.