Winter brings with it cold temperatures and harsh weather. You may also notice that most pests seem to disappear when the season changes. But where do they go? Do they really just disappear and then reappear in the spring? Pests have developed many different methods to survive the winter. The 3 main survival techniques pests use are:
- Migration: The seasonal movement from one region to another.
- Hibernation: AÂ period of time spent in a dormant state in order to survive the unfavorable conditions of winter.
- Overwintering: The process in which pests pass through or wait out the winter season in sites that provide protection from the cold winter temperatures.
While some pests will migrate or hibernate, the most common pests will overwinter. Ladybugs, box elders, and stinkbugs overwinter in secluded, sheltered places like your home. These pests tend to congregate in large numbers so if they overwinter in your home they could infest in large numbers. Pests like rodents, cockroaches, spiders and flies remain active during the winter in our homes. They move indoors in search of warmth and food. Spiders are relatively harmless but flies can contaminate food and surfaces. Rodents can not only contaminate your food and insulation but can also chew through wood causing structural damage and chew through wires putting your home at risk of fire and other issues.
Now that you know where pests go in the winter you can help get your home ready to prevent these overwintering pests from invading your space. If you suspect you have a winter pest problem contact a professional who can help identify the pests and help you develop a treatment and prevention plan.
