‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS…
…and Not a Creature Was Stirring—Not Even a Mouse
Let’s keep it that way. Here’s who’s trying to move in for the winter—and how to stop them at the door.
As temperatures drop, your home becomes the warmest, driest, most food-friendly real estate in the neighborhood. Mice get most of the attention—they can slip through a gap about the size of a dime—but they’re far from the only ones looking to sign a winter lease.
Larger rodents and wildlife make a strong push this time of year. Squirrels and flying squirrels look for attics and wall voids to nest in, often announcing themselves with scratching and scurrying at dawn or after dark. Raccoons go after chimneys, soffits, and roof vents, and can do real damage getting in.
Many insects migrate in, too. Cluster flies, lady bugs, stink bugs, western conifer seed beetles, and spiders all work their way into walls, attics, and window frames to wait out the cold—then reappear on sunny winter days, buzzing at windows and crawling across ceilings.
It’s far easier to stop pests while they’re trying to get in than to remove them once they’ve bunkered down for the winter.
Once pests settle into insulation and wall voids, they’re harder to reach, they multiply, and they leave behind damage and droppings. Sealing entry points now—before the deep cold sets in—is the single best way to keep your holidays creature-free.
Who’s Knocking This Winter
- Mice: Droppings in cabinets, gnaw marks, scratching in walls at night.
- Squirrels & Flying Squirrels: Attic noise at dawn or after dark, chewed soffits and vents.
- Raccoons: Heavy thumping overhead, torn roof vents, chimney activity.
- Cluster Flies: Sluggish flies gathering at sunny windows, even in January.
- Lady Bugs: Clusters on sunny siding and window frames; can stain and smell.
- Stink Bugs: Shield-shaped bugs on walls and lampshades; odor when disturbed.
- Western Conifer Seed Beetles: Large, slow, loud buzzing flyers often mistaken for stink bugs.
- Spiders: Follow the other insects inside; webs in basements and corners.
- Bed Bugs: We tend to travel a lot at this time of year and or have family and friends over to visit. Make sure they do not bring unwanted guests.
HOLIDAY OFFERS
Beat the Rush. Seal Them Out.
Book by December 19, 2026 to claim these offers.
FREE Winter Entry-Point Inspection
A technician walks your foundation, roofline, vents, and garage to find every gap rodents, wildlife, and overwintering insects can use.Code: SNUGHOME
$100 OFF Rodent & Wildlife Exclusion
We seal the gaps, screen the vents, and close the openings—before anything settles in for the season.
Code: NOTAMOUSE
MONTH 1 FREE Year-Round Protection Plan
Enroll in a year-round plan and your first month is on us. Stay protected through winter and into spring.
Code: ALLSEASON
Pay it forward Program
Refer a friend or neighbor. ‘Tis the season! Give the gift on ongoing protection.
Just mention your name
Offers valid for new bookings through 12/19/2026. One offer per household unless noted. Cannot be combined with other promotions.
HELPFUL HINTS
Your Winter Home-Prep Checklist
A few simple steps keep pests out and protect your home from winter damage.
Keep Pests Out
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Keep firewood away from the house. Don’t store it inside or against your walls. When you’re ready to use the fireplace, bring in only enough for one or two nights.
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Check weatherstripping and door sweeps. Make sure they’re intact and sealing tightly, keep unwanted pests out and the warm air in. Don’t forget your garage door(s), especially if the garage is attached to the house.
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Inspect your foundation. Look for small gaps and openings and seal them. (If you need a hand, we can help here.)
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Trim shrubs and trees away for the house and roof. Minimum 18 inches to prevent pests from using them as a bridge to access the house at any level.
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Clear leaf litter from the foundation. Rake leaves away from your walls so pests have nowhere to hide right next to the house.
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Don’t leave garage doors open. An open garage for extended periods is an open invitation.
Protect Your Home
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Empty the gutters once all the leaves have fallen to help prevent ice damming.
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Direct downspouts away from the house so gutter water drains away from your foundation.
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Winterize outdoor spigots. Shut off each exterior spigot from inside the house, then open the outside valve to drain the pipe. This helps prevent freezing and burst pipes.
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Test your heating system early to make sure it’s working properly before the first deep freeze.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Horizon Pest Control.
Thank you for trusting us with your home whether it was this year or in the past. Here’s to a warm, peaceful, and creature-free season.
A FRIENDLY REMINDER
We’re Here for You All Year Long
Whatever comes knocking, in any season, Horizon has you covered.
Home Guard
A comprehensive protection plan for your homes. Ants, roaches, spiders, rodents and more, handled inside and out.Termite Control
Inspections, treatment and ongoing protection for your biggest investment.
Bed Bugs
Holiday travel and guests? Fast, discreet detection and treatment.
Wildlife Trapping & Exclusion
Humane removal of squirrels, raccoons and more, then we seal them out.
Commercial Services
Scheduled programs for restaurants, offices, property managers and more.
Drain Cleaning
Clear the buildup that breeds drain flies and attracts other pests.
Bird Exclusion
Netting, spikes and barriers that keep birds off roofs, ledges and signs.
Meet the owners:
Bernie Holst and Kristin Fowler – Let our Family take care of your Family or taking care of families and businesses since 1970.
