Common Winter Pests and How to Prevent Them

Spring and summer are commonly known as “peak season” for most pest activity. During the warmest months in the Southeastern U.S., numerous pests, like mosquitos, ants, termites, and flies are out in full force. 

However, when the colder months arrive, while some of those pests may not be as active, there are still plenty of pests and bugs in winter ready to take up residence in your home. To understand how to prevent winter pests in the home, first, you need to understand the behavior that drives them indoors.

Pest Behavior During Winter

During the winter months, many animals in cold climates go into hibernation. This allows these animals to conserve energy and survive until the spring thaw. Similarly, many pests have their own version of hibernation called diapause.

During diapause, insects will try to seek shelter from the cold weather. They might burrow underground, in tree trunks, under logs, and, yes, even in homes. This allows them to conserve their energy in a safe location. Depending on the pest, they may literally suspend their growth and movement in any current stage, pausing as eggs, larvae, pupae, or adults.

What does this mean for homeowners? During diapause, it is common to see an influx of pests in the home. It can also be particularly hard to get rid of insects in diapause because they do not require food to survive.

Common Winter Pests You Might See Around the Home

In the Southeast, numerous pests might enter the home — both those seeking a place to enter diapause and those simply in search of a warm environment and a steady food supply. Common winter pests include the following: