The Main Crawling Pests That Invade Wooded Brainerd Properties in Late Summer

What Attracts Pests to Homes in Brainerd, MN?

The combination of wooded areas, lake humidity, and partially used vacation homes can lead to increasing pest activity for residents of Brainerd. In the fall, overwintering insects swarm to the sunny sides of homes as temperatures begin to drop. Elm seed bugs, boxelder bugs, and stink bugs are common culprits of indoor pest infestations. Their cold-blooded nature drives them to swarm south-facing areas along Brainerd homes, ultimately driving them into indoor living spaces in order to overwinter within wall voids. Once established indoors, these pests will begin to emerge into indoor living spaces during the spring season as temperatures rise again.

Spiders are another common pest to find their way into Brainerd homes. Dock and fishing spiders are large spiders which can grow up to 3 inches or more in leg span. These spiders tend to build their webs near dock areas, lakehouses, and boathouses where flying insects gather during the day. As the season ends and prey become scarce, dock and fishing spiders will find their way into basement and ground level areas in order to catch overwintering prey. Wolf spiders in Brainerd will actively hunt their insect prey instead of building webs in strategic places. These hunters will enter around basement and ground-level areas and tend to focus on hunting at night. Because of this, residents may suddenly experience the presence of spiders that are typically hidden away throughout the day.

Reduce Pest Activity at Your Brainerd Home

Outdoor pest populations in Brainerd have the entire summer season to grow and explore. As food sources dwindle and temperatures drop, these pests will find entry points into homes to shelter through the winter season. To reduce the presence of overwintering bugs, seal points of entry around attic spaces, doorways, and window frames. Use natural bug repellents and sprays that repel insect activity, and consider using products such as diatomaceous earth in strategic areas to address pest activity. 

Replace traditional outdoor lights and exchange them for yellow bug lights to reduce spider activity. As bugs swarm these porch, garage, and deck areas, they act as a beacon for spider activity which leads spiders to actively hunt or build their webs nearby. Regularly clean leaf litter and brush from your outdoor living areas. This helps to reduce ground cover where pests can breed and live. Reduce contact between wood piles, mulch, and foundational areas. Seal areas around utility lines, external pipes, and attic spaces. Replace torn mesh screens, worn door sweeps, and aging foam sealant where small pockets create ideal pest entry points.

For more pest control ideas in Brainerd, head over to our dedicated North Central Minnesota blog.

Professional Pest Control Services in Brainerd

Mosquito Squad Plus is proud to offer comprehensive pest control services to residents of Brainerd. Our team will begin by conducting a thorough property assessment to learn more about the layout, your pest control needs, and take note of high-risk areas. This allows us to create a tailored plan to reduce and control the pest population at your Brainerd home. Our home defense package, Home Shield, is designed to create a perimeter around the exterior of your home with barrier treatments and exclusion methods. Our trained technicians will target high-risk zones such as doorways, windows, and utility lines where pests typically enter homes. Additionally, we will help to seal points of entry and conduct web and nest removal as needed.

For Reliable Pest Control in Brainerd, MN Near You

Looking for reliable pest control for your home in Brainerd? Call Mosquito Squad Plus of North Central Minnesota at (218) 304-7704 or contact us online for a free quote.