While some species of bugs go into a dormant state in the winter, others remain active (particularly if there’s a mild winter). Unfortunately, that means we never completely get a break from pests trying to enter our homes.
In fact, pests active in winter might be more likely to seek out shelter in your house as they search for warmth and food. Just like you, most pests do not like the cold and would rather be warm and cozy inside.
Of course, the last thing that you want is for pests to take up residence in your home.
In this article, we will dive into some of the common winter pests out there and what you should know about them.
We’ll also provide tips on how to keep winter pests away. After all, you deserve to feel safe and comfortable at home.
Common Winter Pests
Various winter pests might still be lurking, even in climates that get cold. But if you live somewhere that it stays mild or even warm in the winter, you might have even more invaders to worry about.
Here are four common winter pests that we frequently see enter people’s homes.
- Mice
- Cockroaches
- Spiders
- Silverfish
Let’s talk about each of them.
Mice
Mice can be a year-round problem, but it’s often more common to detect mice in a home during the winter months when they are actively in search of respite from the cold. If mice find a cozy spot in your home, they may remain there and reproduce.
Mice are sneaky and may move around inside your walls undetected for a while. Signs that you have mice include evidence of chewing (wires, furniture, etc.), finding droppings, scratching and scurrying noises, and bad smells.
Sometimes homeowners tell us that it was their dog or cat that alerted them to a mouse problem. If you have a cat or dog that is showing a real interest in certain areas of your home, it could be that they’ve caught the sight or smell of a pest. Pets might start acting differently or seem unsettled.
If this occurs, it’s worth exploring what’s going on.
Cockroaches
If you’ve ever heard jokes about cockroaches being able to survive anything, there’s actually a lot of truth to that. Cockroaches have been around for many years (likely since the Cretaceous and Jurassic periods) because of their ability to adapt.
The same goes for the cold weather. If they can survive the conditions of the Jurassic period, they can certainly survive some cold and ice.
Cockroaches are not only a winter pest, but a year-round pest, that can perpetually be a problem. In the winter they will make their way inside to avoid exposure to the cold temperatures.
Because they prefer not to be in the cold, people are often more likely to find roaches in their homes during the winter months.
There’s a good reason why people are upset by the sight of cockroaches. These pests are not only gross to look at, but they can also carry bacteria and diseases including hepatitis and salmonella.
Roaches are definitely a pest that you want to keep away from your home.
Spiders
Spiders live in people’s houses all year long, no matter the season.
In fact, scientists believe that many (if not most) of the spiders found in people’s homes have never even been outside.
Yes…that means they were born in your house.
Of course, spiders have to get inside in the first place at some point (and then start reproducing). Like other pests, they find their way inside in search of food and shelter. Once they find a cozy spot, they’re likely to hang out and stay.
Some people report seeing spiders become more active in colder months. These pests are active in winter because they typically emerge around the fall or early winter in search of a mate.
Spiders that you see in the winter could therefore either be newly inside (in search of warmth) or have come out of their hiding space (in search of a mate).
Either way, we know these are a pest you’d prefer not to have hanging around your home.
Silverfish
Just like cockroaches, there’s a reason why silverfish have lived for so many years. They are highly adaptable creatures.
In fact, the silverfish is thought to be the oldest insect in the world! In addition to surviving all sorts of conditions, that also means they are pests that are active in winter.
These ancient pests are most active at night, which can be frustrating for homeowners. After all, as you get into bed, you don’t want to be thinking about pests roaming your house. The silverfish is commonly found in damp areas like a basement, crawlspace, bathtub, or sink.
The good news is that they aren’t harmful to humans (unless you are allergic). Even so, we know this is a pest you’d rather not have hanging around.
How to Keep Winter Pests Away
There are some basic steps that you can do to discourage pests from entering your home at any time of the year.
For one, you should seal up possible entry points. All of the pests talked about here (as well as others) are likely finding their way inside through a crack or crevice. Seal up any cracks or crevices you find around the house (including the foundation).
Look for holes in screens and repair them. You can also install weather stripping around doors.
Along with that, you’ll want to properly store food. Since most of these pests are in search of a meal, crumbs are going to be a target. Put food items in containers, wipe down counters, and take the garbage out frequently.
You might also want to consider limiting eating to one room…like the dining room or the kitchen. This can make cleaning everything up easier since there aren’t stray crumbs in various rooms of the house.
All that being said, these pests are crafty and will often find their way inside via a tiny hole. Or, you might have had the tiniest crumb left behind. Even the cleanest and most secure homes are subject to winter pests.
That’s why it’s important to also invest in professional pest control.
Pest Shield Premium to Keep Pests Out All Year Long
At Joshua Tree Experts, our Pest Shield Premium program is an effective approach to keeping pests out no matter what the season. It covers dozens of pests, including the four winter pests mentioned in this article.
Professional pest control is your best answer to dealing with pest concerns. Even when you take all the right steps toward preventing these unwanted houseguests, they often still make their way inside.
But with Pest Shield Premium, you’ll be able to take a proactive approach that prevents pests from coming inside in the first place.
That means instead of worrying about these invaders, you can relax knowing that you have a pro on your side and that you’re in good hands.
If you're interested in learning more about pest control services, contact us for a free pest control quote today!
Image Source: Silverfish, American Cockroach
