It’s getting late in the year, it’s frosty outside the house and we’re disappearing inside for heat. And we’re not necessarily the only ones. Bugs and pests are much more readily associated with the hotter weather of summer and spring, but it’s when it gets cold that lots of the problems begin. Mice, rats and even some insects have got to stay warm and your nice, cosy, centrally heated office is just the kind of place to find it.

Rodent infestation increase dramatically during the the fall and winter months, and surprisingly they can occur in both towns and the countryside. Rats and mice are attracted to sources of food as much as warmth and the massive quantities of garbage present in metropolitan areas such as London mean there's plenty available for them there. To that end, a simple way to limit the likelihood of infestation is to ensure that your garbage isn’t left out for days on end or else is kept in a secure bin. Otherwise, the mice will find it, start breeding and you'll very quickly find an infestation on your hands.

Rodents have a sense of smell many times as strong as a human's. Like many animals, odours are vital to their survival, since they use their urine to mark out territory, objects and routes. One can deter rodents by laying strong smells. Mothballs are a basic and effective option, although the powerful aroma can end up being unpleasant for we human beings too.As a result it’s a solution most suitable to out-of-the way places that are liable to infestation, such as attics, cellars and sheds as well as caravans and campers which may perhaps be left uninhabited throughout the winter.

Wasps are normally a summer problem, but the recent warm weather means some wasps are remaining active much later than is normally the case. Those nests that remain out in the open will be unlikely to survive the first frost, but those inside - hidden away in attics, sheds or barns - may make it through into October and early November. The new queen will usually have left the nest at the end of the summer, but those wasps left behind continue to look for food. Like a lot of us, they can end up getting somewhat tipsy as Christmas draws near, as often the only food out there is rotting fruit that has begun to ferment. Sadly, many wasps can also be at their most dangerous at this time of the year; since the hunt for food becomes a lot more difficult, the insects will become aggressive. As with mice and rats you can lower your chances of attracting wasps by not leaving food out for longer than is necessary. If there are only one or two wasps about, a trap may very well be sufficient to take care of them, but the best strategy is to simply wait for them to fly away.

Winter brings its very own issues in regards to pest infestations, but to be informed is to be prepared. You can find many small, preventative steps you can take to prevent pest infestations, but keep in mind tackling an established colony directly is a problem that should be left to the professionals. And remember, it might not just be you who’s keeping warm in your house this winter.

Expert, friendly and effective Pest control London  for pest infestations can be supplied by the London-based firm Terminex, a fully certified member of the British Pest Control Association. They provide numerous commercial and household services for dealing with unwanted infestations all year long.