Northeast Pennsylvania is known for having cold winters with temperatures typically dipping below freezing at night for many months on end. While winter comes with increased heating costs and being stuck inside, it also has the benefit of seeing less bugs than the summer months.
While many pests still remain active this time of year, most of them do seem to disappear during the winter months. Where do these pests go? Do they die, or are they just hibernating? Do I still need to worry about them this winter? We’re answering all of these questions and more!
How Does Cold Weather Impact Bugs?
Cold weather forces insects to adopt strategies for survival, from migration and hibernation to finding shelter near humans. While some become dormant or die off, others remain active indoors, increasing the need for pest control during the colder months.
For example, many insects enter a dormant state called diapause, which slows their metabolism, activity, and need for food. Bugs like ants and ladybugs huddle together in nests or crevices to conserve heat, waiting for spring to resume activity.
Other bugs like beetles and mosquitoes seek shelter under leaves, bark, or in soil to avoid freezing. Some insects, such as monarch butterflies, migrate to warmer climates, as cold weather disrupts their development and reproduction.
However, indoor pests like cockroaches thrive in winter by seeking warm areas within homes, while termites retreat deeper into soil or wood for insulation. The same goes for pests, such as rats and mice. Others, like spiders, produce antifreeze-like compounds to survive freezing temperatures.
What Is Diapause?
Diapause is a period of dormancy that most insects go into during the winter months. There are six main stages of diapause:
- Induction
- Preparation
- Initiation
- Maintenance
- Termination
- Post-diapause Quiescence
During diapause, bugs go into a state of actively-induced dormancy that blocks developmental growth to help them survive the winter. Diapause can occur at any stage of an insect’s life, but most often happens in pupae.
What Bugs Are Common in the Winter?
While most insects tend to go away in the winter and many homeowners tend to let their guards down when it comes to pests this time of year, it is important to note that it is still possible to encounter pests even during the cold winter months. If you notice any of these bugs in your home this winter, don’t hesitate to contact a pest control professional immediately to have your home inspected and treated.
- Spiders
- Ants
- Cockroaches
- Ladybugs
- Stinkbugs
- Silverfish
- Termites
- Boxelder bugs
- Beetles
How Does Cold Weather Impact Rodents?
The most common pest during the winter months in Northeast Pennsylvania is the rodent–namely house mice and rats.
During the cold winter months, rodents will typically seek shelter from the elements by making their way inside homes and buildings. Rodents do not hibernate, which is why many homeowners may notice mice or rats in their homes during the winter months compared to any other time of year. Once rodents make their way inside a home, they will typically seek food sources due to there being limited availability outdoors.
Some signs that mice or rats have entered your home will include food packages with chew marks, shredded insulation, and knocking sounds inside of walls.
What Bugs Go Away in the Winter?
While most bugs that you see during the summer months can still be active during the winter, there are a few different types of insects that are less active this time of year. Bees and wasps are typically less active during the colder months, which is why you will likely not see them this time of year. You may also notice fewer flies during the winter, as most of them overwinter as pupae underground.
Mosquitoes are also pretty inactive during the winter months, as their eggs overwinter in water and don’t hatch until spring when they thaw.
However, it is still important that you keep an eye out for any and all pests, even during the cooler months, and contact a pest control professional if you notice any unusual activity in your home.
Winter Pest Control Tips
There are many ways to pest-proof your home during the winter months. In fact, winter is a great time of year to start taking preventative measures against pests, as many of them aren’t as active in the cooler months. A few things you can do to protect your home from a pest infestation include:
- Applying weatherstripping to your doors and windows
- Using caulk or sealant to close cracks and crevices in your home
- Getting rid of excess clutter around the house
- Properly sealing and storing all food and drinks
- Doing a deep clean of your kitchen, and staying on top of a regular cleaning schedule
- Storing firewood and lumber far away from your home
- Eliminating excess moisture and standing water
- Carefully inspecting all packages and used furniture before bringing them inside
- Using natural deterrents, such as essential oils, diatomaceous earth, and neem oil to ward off pests
- Investing in professional pest control services
For peace of mind during the winter months against cockroaches, rodents, and other winter invaders, be sure to contact The Pest Rangers about getting an inspection performed. We also offer monthly pest control plans that help defend against over a dozen common species in Northeast Pennsylvania, including several common winter pests.
FAQs
How do insects survive freezing temperatures?
There are a number of ways insects can survive freezing temperatures. Certain insects are freeze-tolerant, which means that they can prevent the formation of ice crystals in their body by producing proteins that control the freezing process. Some insects will also migrate to warmer climates during the winter months, such as monarch butterflies that congregate in large groups to maintain a warmer temperature.
Do all bugs hibernate in winter?
While some bugs hibernate during the winter months, not all of them do. Some insects migrate to warmer climates, while others enter the state of diapause. Some insects possess the ability to tolerate freezing temperatures due to cryoprotectants in their bodies, which control the freezing process.
Why do some bugs come inside during winter?
The main reason many bugs will seek shelter indoors during the winter months is to survive the freezing temperatures outside. Bugs like cockroaches, spiders, and ladybugs often appear indoors more during the colder months to seek shelter from the cold elements outside. Bugs will also make their way indoors in search of food or water sources.
