When temperatures start to drop, you may notice a decrease in the activity of bugs and unwanted critters. However, just because they are not out and about and not visible to you, it does not mean they disappear altogether when the weather becomes cold and freezing.
In a nutshell, survival during the colder months depends on the species of a bug. Many pests retreat from the outdoors to seek warmth and alternative food sources, making homes and buildings, with our heating systems, the perfect spaces for them. Others enter a hibernation-like phase called diapause, which is a temporary state of dormancy.
During this stage, their metabolism slows, and their development almost stops to conserve energy and ensure their survival until spring. Some insects and pests also huddle together for warmth throughout the season. Overall, this means that winter pest control is something that you should not overlook, as bugs can and will still find their way into your home. You just need to adapt to how they behave in the winter.
Ticks
Ticks’ winter activity varies by species. Most have ways to stay warm, while around 20% of their population will die during the colder months. If a tick finds a warm space, like a deer’s backside, it can stay active during fall and winter. Others will become dormant until springtime.
Bed Bugs
Generally, bed bugs can survive temperatures above freezing, but they prefer the same climates as humans, making our warm homes enticing for these pests. If they’re indoors, they can remain active all year round. Bed bugs inside a home during winter mean an ideal environment to bite people and multiply quickly. The perfect places to hide include thick linens and winter clothes.
Cockroaches
These pests do not respond well to cold temperatures. They can only keep moving and stay active throughout the year if they are in warm and moist environments. When the temperature drops, they start to migrate indoors to warmer locations, using cracks and crevices to make their way inside. If they get caught in the cold, they may group for warmth and enter diapause.
Termites
Termites work hard, and winters are no exception. They do not hibernate; most species will find warm spaces to survive the cold weather and continue their activity without interruptions. Other species can stay outdoors, digging deeper below the soil and past the frost line to wait out winter.
Maintain a Pest-Free Home No Matter the Season
Don’t let pests become your house guests. Request winter pest control from Arrow Services, Inc. to ensure you spend the cold season safe, warm, and worry-free. We serve residential and commercial clients in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.