Spooky Season, Real Threats: Fall Pests in Pee Dee & Grand Strand Homes

​Halloween is the perfect time for spooky decorations and fun scares, but in South Carolina’s Pee Dee and Grand Strand regions, some real-life house-infesting pests can be even more unsettling than ghosts and grim reapers. Fall is the prime season for bugs and rodents to seek shelter indoors, and your home can be the perfect target.

Here’s what local homeowners should watch for and how they can protect their homes this Halloween and throughout the year with assistance from Harris Pest Control.

Why Fall Brings More Pests Indoors

Even as temperatures remain mild, the cooler nights of autumn signal to pests that it's time to seek warmer, safer places. Homes provide food, water, and shelter, just what pests need to survive the season.

Other reasons pests show up in fall include:

• Depleting food sources: Plants die back and insects become less plentiful, prompting ants, roaches, and other insects to move inside.
• Mating season: Certain spiders and bugs become more active as they search for mates, increasing the likelihood that they will wander indoors.
• Moisture-seeking: Damp conditions after autumn rains can draw pests like silverfish and centipedes indoors.

Local Pests That Might Surprise You

Spiders

While cobwebs can add to your Halloween décor, real spiders are less welcome. Common local species include wolf spiders, house spiders, and occasionally black widows or brown recluses looking for shelter from cooler temperatures.

Cockroaches

The infamous Palmetto bug and other cockroach species love warm, damp areas such as kitchens and basements. Seeing one inside your home is never fun, especially near your Halloween treats.

Rodents

Mice and rats are active this time of year, searching for warmth and food. House mice and Norway rats often enter through small openings near doors, windows, or in crawl spaces, while roof rats climb and slip into attics through openings along the roofline.

Ants & Other Insects

Autumn can send odorous house ants and even fire ants indoors as they search for food. Softening pumpkins or leftover decorations can also attract flies, earwigs, beetles, and other scavengers, turning your festive display into an accidental snack bar.

Tips to Keep Pests Out

• Seal cracks, gaps, and holes around doors, windows, and foundations.
• Repair screens and install door sweeps where needed.
• Keep yards tidy: remove debris, woodpiles, and fallen leaves.
• Reduce moisture by fixing leaks and preventing standing water.
• Make sure your crawl space is dry and not attracting insects and rodents.
• Store food in airtight containers and clean crumbs promptly.
• Dispose of softening or rotting pumpkins to avoid attracting insects.
• Switch outdoor lights to yellow bulbs or turn them off to reduce the number of bugs.

Why Professional Pest Treatments Are Better Than DIY

DIY methods often fail to completely resolve infestations. Pests hide in walls, attics, and crawl spaces, and store-bought sprays or traps usually only address visible problems temporarily. Improper use can even be harmful to people and pets.

How Harris Pest Control Can Help

Instead of letting pests ruin your Halloween fun, Harris Pest Control offers solutions specifically tailored to homes in the Pee Dee and Grand Strand areas, including Florence and Myrtle Beach.

Our home pest control services include:

• Thorough inspections to identify pests, entry points, and problem areas.
• Effective treatments designed for local species, including spiders, rodents, ants, and cockroaches.
• Preventive plans that protect your home through each season.

With Harris Pest Control on your side, your Halloween decorations can do all the scary work while creepy crawlies stay out of your home. Contact us today to learn more about our residential plans and pricing or to schedule your inspection!