Winter is just around the corner! And while we’re all excited for holiday parties, shopping on Knickerbocker Avenue and the best seasonal drinks, Bushwick pests are excited escape the cold and become your new roomie. We spoke to Donald Clark, the owner of Alleycat Exterminating on 66 Whipple Street (718-837-1953) about what to look out for. Donald’s family has been in the business of exterminating since the 1800’s, so he really knows his stuff. He gave us all the answers to the hard-hitting questions about pest-prevention in the cold winter months.

1). What pests are more active in winter? What should people be looking out for as the seasons change?

Donald: Here in Bushwick fall turns into winter over night, catching many of us by surprise including our neighborhood pests. We are now into mouse (and rat ) season. Rodents move in with us to escape the cold. When the heat is turned on some heat drifts out of the building under doors, broken windows and any cracks in the structure. The rodents follow the heat treadles to the opening and enter your home. Signs to look for this time of the year are rodent droppings (mouse look like chocolate sprinkles and rat looks like raisins). Also if you think you heard something in the kitchen at night, don’t ignore it, it may be a mouse looking for a snack.

2). What preventative measures can people take from getting these particular pests to begin with?

Donald: To help prevent having unwanted roommates inspect your home for any cracks or/and holes that a rodent can enter in through. Don’t be fancy when sealing these holes. Steel wool has been the go to stuff it product for years but I would suggest going to Amazon and ordering copper mesh to fill up holes. Then seal the holes and cracks with caulking. A couple of six packs and you can have a caulking party with friends, caulking guns are very cheap.