Winter isn’t typically the season people associate with pest problems. However, as temperatures drop, certain winter pests take advantage of the cold months to seek warmth and shelter in your home. Whether it’s ants in the house, moles burrowing into your garden, or stink bugs making their way indoors, it’s crucial to act before these unwelcome guests settle in.
At BioTech, we’re here to help you identify the most common seasonal pests, understand the risks they pose, and take proactive steps for effective winter pest control. From fleas hitching a ride on pets to boxelder bugs seeking refuge in your walls, knowing how to protect your home is the first step in keeping these pests out.
WHY WINTER PESTS SEEK SHELTER IN YOUR HOME
While some pests hibernate, others remain active, searching for warmth, food, and moisture inside homes. Here’s why certain winter critters become a problem during the colder months:
- Shelter from the cold: Some pests seek refuge indoors to avoid freezing temperatures. Attics, basements, and wall voids provide ideal hiding spots where they can nest and stay warm.
- Indoors humidity: Although winter air tends to be dry, areas such as bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms retain humidity, attracting pests like cockroaches and silverfish that thrive in damp environments.
- Food shortages: With outdoor food sources becoming limited, pests turn to your home in search of nourishment. You might notice ants in your house scavenging for crumbs, especially in the kitchen and pantry.
- Traveling pests: Some pests enter homes by latching onto pets, clothing, or secondhand furniture. Even during colder months, fleas can survive indoors where it’s warm and continue to breed.
- Overwinter periods: Many pests seek indoor spaces to overwinter, the process by which they survive through the winter months. Pests like stink bugs, boxelder bugs, and ladybugs enter a dormant state and hide inside walls or other concealed areas, often going unnoticed until the infestation has grown too large.
- Garden Invaders: While winter typically signals the end of the growing season, moles, voles, and other pests can still wreak havoc in your garden. As the cold sets in, these critters burrow deeper into the ground, seeking warmth and food, and may damage plants, lawns, and even foundations with their tunnels.
A BioTech inspection can help identify and address these hidden invaders before they become a problem. Schedule your inspection today and protect your home from seasonal pests.
COMMON WINTER PESTS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Even in the colder months, many seasonal pests remain active, seeking warmth and food inside homes. Here are some of the most common winter invaders:
- Brown Recluse Spiders: These spiders prefer dark, undisturbed areas like basements, attics, and storage spaces. While generally reclusive, their venomous bite can cause skin irritation or more serious health issues in some individuals.
- Raccoons: These nocturnal creatures often find their way into attics, crawl spaces, and chimneys in search of warmth. They can cause significant property damage by tearing up insulation, chewing wires, and leaving droppings that can carry disease.
- House Mice & Rats: As the temperature drops, rodents squeeze through the smallest cracks to find warmth, food, and nesting spots. These pests can chew through wires, contaminate food, and spread diseases, making them particularly troublesome during winter.
- German Cockroaches: One of the most common species, German cockroaches thrive indoors, especially in warm, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms. They reproduce rapidly, making infestations hard to control without proper sanitation and pest control.
- Bed Bugs: Unlike other pests that slow down in winter, bed bugs remain active year-round. They hitch a ride indoors through luggage, secondhand furniture, and clothing, feeding on human blood and spreading quickly if not addressed.
- Pantry Pests: Moths, beetles, and weevils can infest dry goods such as grains and flour. Without proper food storage, they can spread quickly, contaminating food supplies and causing waste.
Knowing which winter pests are most common can help homeowners take proactive steps to prevent infestations before they become a problem.
HOW TO PREVENT WINTER PEST INFESTATIONS
- Seal Entry Points: Thoroughly inspect your home for cracks, gaps around windows and doors, and any holes in the foundation. Sealing these entry points will help prevent pests from finding their way indoors to escape the cold.
- Maintain Cleanliness: Proper food storage is key to preventing pests. Keep food in airtight containers and clean up crumbs and spills promptly. Regular vacuuming and decluttering also help eliminate hiding spots for pests and reduce their chances of nesting in your home.
- Reduce Moisture: Pests are attracted to damp environments. Fix any leaks around plumbing or windows, and use dehumidifiers in areas like basements and bathrooms where humidity tends to build up.
- Use Pest-Proof Storage: Make sure pantry items such as grains, flour, and dry goods are stored in airtight containers. This can prevent pantry pests like beetles and moths from infesting your food supply and contaminating your kitchen.
- Regular Inspections: Check basements, attics, and hidden spaces for signs of infestations. Look for droppings, nests, or unusual damage. Early detection is key to preventing larger infestations from taking hold.
- Protect Your Garden: Use barriers or fencing around garden beds and vulnerable plants to discourage burrowing. Maintain healthy, well-drained soil and clear away any debris that could provide shelter.
These simple, proactive steps can go a long way in preventing winter critters from invading your home during the colder months. Keep your space secure and pest-free all winter long!
WHEN TO CALL A PROFESSIONAL EXTERMINATOR?
If you notice increased pest activity, such as visible droppings, nests, or damaged food and property, it may be a sign of a larger infestation. Pests can multiply quickly, so it’s essential to address the issue early before it worsens.
A professional exterminator can identify hidden entry points, assess the extent of the infestation, and implement targeted treatments to eliminate unwanted guests before they cause significant damage. Winter critters are more likely to seek shelter indoors, and a trained expert can help ensure your home remains pest-free throughout the season.
If you’re dealing with a persistent pest problem or want to be proactive this winter, contact BioTech today. Our expert team is here to help with inspections, treatments, and long-term prevention strategies to protect your home. Schedule your first inspection today!
