Spotting Winter Pests in Missouri: A Handy Guide

Winter is coming, and that means pests are coming too. Each cold season, winter insects go looking for a place to stay indoors all across the Mid-Missouri area. On top of bugs coming inside, warmer winters have made tracking insects less and less predictable in Missouri. In order to protect your home, it is important to be proactive and know what you’re looking for. Luckily, Steve’s Pest Control knows just how to help. Our team of expert pest control technicians are here to help you keep your house warm and cozy without annoying pests. Plus, our wide service area across Mid-Missouri guarantees your friend in the pest control business is available for quick pest treatments. Here’s our official guide to spotting winter pests!

How to Tell if I Have Termites in the Winter

Termites are nasty little insects that tear through the wood in your home during the winter months in large colonies. Swarms of these guys cause billions of dollars worth of damage in the U.S. alone each year! Termites multiply fast, so there is no time to waste when spotting them in your home or business. If you’re not sure if you’re dealing with an infestation, these are a few telltale signs when running a termite inspection.



• Blistering in wooden floors 
• Holes or damaged wood 
• Small paths of wood and soil, or “mud tubes” 
• Ant-sized insects with orange-brownish head and large mandibles (Soldier) or completely white body (Worker) 
• Termite droppings resembling sawdust, or “frass”
  

With Steve’s Pest Control, we offer exceptional termite treatment under our 5 Star Advantage Pest Program including a $250,000 damage warranty. Using the Sentricon System, we will not only drive termites out, but keep them from ever coming back again! 

Schedule a Termite Inspection

How to Tell if I Have Bed Bugs in the Winter

Bed bugs have been an enemy to humankind for over 400 years. These flat little pests can be tough to spot if you’re not looking in the right places. During the winter, bed bugs attempt to thrive by hiding in warm, cramped crevices. But not for long! Here’s what to expect when dealing with a bed bug invasion:



• Reddish stains on mattress
• Hiding spots include the mattress, lounging furniture, drawers and drapes 
• Check folds and seams of mattress for live bugs, eggs, black feces spots, or discarded skin   
• Small, linear bite patterns on the body (though not everyone reacts the same to bed bugs)

If you suspect there are bed bugs living in your home, do not hesitate to call Steve’s Pest Control! Our heat treatment technology has successfully eliminated these pests for over 10 years now. If it’s heat they’re looking for, they’re sure to get it this winter season with a bed bug extermination from Steve’s Pest Control.

Call now!

How to Spot Mice in the Walls and Other Rodent Infestations

Unless you’re Cinderella, mice are not typically something you want to see living in your home. In search of warmth and a meal, rodents can contaminate the food and surfaces you use everyday. This can lead to a number of diseases, such as salmonella or hantavirus. To differentiate between species of rodents, check out our Rodent Identification page. The following methods apply for most rodents hiding in your home this winter.

• Inspecting dark cupboards and closets with a flashlight
• Look near food sources for nests of trash
  
• Look for signs of gnawing on paper, clothes, and wires
• Urine odors or droppings

Once you’ve determined you have a pest problem with rodents, it is best to contact a pest control service so they can take the best measure for your scenario. 

Missourians, Watch Out for Dangerous Spiders Taking Over Your Home

While some exterminators don’t offer specific treatment for spiders, Steve’s Pest Control does! Spiders are especially a problem in the winter. While some arachnids are harmless, Missouri is home to some rather dangerous species as well. The Brown Recluse Spider has a venomous bite and can be found lurking in attics, boxes, and other undisturbed areas. These are not to be confused with wolf spiders, which are much larger and not particularly dangerous to humans. To spot a Brown Recluse, watch out for a brown coloring and violin-shaped body. If you run into a problem with spiders in the winter, let us know and we’ll stop them with a proactive and impactful approach.

Free Home Evaluation for Spiders

Be Safe and on the Lookout For Mid-Missouri Pests Coming Home for the Winter

Snow or sunshine, Steve’s Pest Control is here to help you out year-round. No household should suffer a pest infestation just because the pests are seeking warmth this winter. With our 5 Star Programs, we guarantee to deliver impeccable service and save you from losing money in property damage. These programs offer five general services ranging from interior to exterior, and it has never been easier to schedule! We’re always a click or phone call away. Additionally, if by chance a covered pest problem occurs, we will re-treat your home with no extra charge. This is only scratching the surface when you upgrade to 5 Star Advantage or 5 Star Complete. So what are you waiting for? Protect your home or business today!

Check out our 5 Star Programs!

Boonville, Mo

(660) 882-0075

Camdenton, Mo

(573) 365-9555

Columbia, Mo

(573) 874-2020

Fulton, Mo

(573) 642-6300

Jefferson City, Mo

(573) 896-4868

Hermann, Mo

(573) 486-7979

Lake Ozark, Mo

(573) 365-9555

Lebanon, Mo

(417) 322-7979

Linn, Mo

(573) 897-2766

Macon, Mo

(660) 591-1900

Marshall, Mo

(660) 831-8900

Mexico, Mo

(573) 582-7980

Moberly, Mo

(660) 263-7399

Osage Beach, Mo

(573) 365-9555

Rolla, Mo

(573) 364-0100

Sedalia, Mo

(660) 829-4955

St. Robert, Mo

(573) 451-7999

Troy, Mo

(636) 235-7200

Warrensburg, Mo

(660) 262-7272

Warrenton, Mo

(636) 235-7200

Warsaw, Mo

(660) 223-7272

Washington, Mo

(636) 231-7900

Wentzville, Mo

(636) 698-7000