What Happens to Pest during the Winter and Do I Need Pest Control?
During the summer months, it is common to see plenty of ants, mosquitoes, bees, and other insects. So what happens to these pests once the weather turns cold? Many people assume that they simply die, but that isn’t always the case. Certain pests can survive the winter and in cases, their best strategy is to seek food, water, and shelter in your own home. Keep reading to learn more about what happens to pests during the winter and what pest control measures you might need to take.
Ants
As temperatures begin to cool, ants start preparing for the long winter by gorging on food and trying to put on as much weight as possible. Eventually, their productivity and body temperatures lower and they seal up their colony. Basically, they hibernate until the spring weather returns. This means that homeowners shouldn’t have to worry about any infestations during the winter.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are notoriously resilient and have survived for millions of years by being able to adapt to changing conditions. Winter weather is no challenge for them, but they will look for warmer places to live that provide food and water. Most often, this includes homes and businesses. That means that cockroaches will become more of a pest challenge during the winter. Learn more about our cockroach extermination.
Mice
Mice are one pest you will commonly find inside during the winter. As the temperatures get colder, they look for warmer areas to make their home, which means you house could be in jeopardy. Making sure you make your home an uninviting spot by using rodent control services to keep mice away!
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are another common pest that can survive the winter and will see your home as a welcome respite from cold temperatures. They can’t survive long in temperatures below freezing, which is why they seek out warmer environments and food sources, namely you and your pets. It is important to be extra diligent about not accidentally bringing bed bugs into your home during colder weather.
Mosquitoes
After a summer of swatting mosquitoes and dealing with the itchy welts they leave behind, winter can be a welcoming break from these pests. However, just because they are out of sight, doesn’t mean they have died off. Like many other insects, they have found ways to survive the winter and are simply waiting for warmer temperatures to continue their hunt for food to feed the reproductive cycle.
While pests tend to be less active during the winter, some species will be targeting your home for warmth. Hibernating pests may also settle down for the winter in your home and create a real infestation problem once spring arrives. For these reasons, winter is the perfect time to tackle pest control issues. You can seal up your home to prevent pests from entering, address moisture problems, and make sure that your home is pest-free so that you don’t have hidden infestations that won’t become apparent until spring.
For help with all your pest and moisture control services, contact the experts at Capital Pest Services. We can help design and execute the perfect plan for your home and your budget.
Capital Pest is proud to be a family-owned and operated pest control company serving Raleigh, NC and its surrounding area (Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Clayton, Pinehurst, Pittsboro, Fuquay-Varina, etc). Contact us for our pest control services today!