Now that it’s finally cold out, we’re hearing one question a lot: does this weather kill the bugs?
Unfortunately, not really. Cold slows most pests down, but very few of them actually die off. Most just find somewhere protected to wait it out, and sometimes that somewhere is your house.
How Bugs Get Through the Winter
Bugs have been dealing with winter a lot longer than we have. Plenty of insects go into a kind of hibernation called diapause, where they barely move or develop until it warms back up. Others ride out the season as eggs tucked into soil, mulch or tree bark. A few can even make their own natural antifreeze.
It also helps that DFW winters don’t last long. We’ll get a hard freeze, and a few days later it’s 65 and sunny again. By the time a cold front rolls in, most pests have already found a good hiding spot.
Where They Go
Mice and rats are the big ones this time of year. They don’t hibernate, so once nights get chilly they start looking for a warm place to nest. Attics, garages and wall voids are favorites.
Roaches depend on the type. German roaches already live inside, so the weather doesn’t faze them. The bigger roaches that hang out in mulch and drains will head for warmth, which usually means your garage or kitchen.
Spiders and scorpions like quiet spots nobody’s touching, like closets, storage boxes and the attic.
Termites keep working, just deeper underground or close to the warmth of your foundation. You won’t see swarms this time of year, but they’re still eating. (Winter is actually a great time for a termite inspection.)
Fire ant mounds might seem to disappear during a cold week. The colony just moved deeper and will be back up on the next warm afternoon.
And mosquitoes? Some wait out the winter as eggs until spring rain hits, and some adults hide out in storm drains, sheds and garages.
Why You Might See More Pests Right Now
A cold snap is basically a signal to find shelter, and a warm, dry house checks every box. So if you’ve heard scratching in the attic at night or spotted a roach by the water heater this week, that’s probably why.
Use Winter to Get Ahead of Spring
The upside is that winter is the easiest time to close up the spots pests use to get in. A few things worth doing this weekend:
Check the seal at the bottom of your garage door
Seal gaps where pipes and AC lines enter the house
Stack firewood away from the house
Keep pantry food and pet food in sealed containers
Clear out cluttered corners in the garage and attic
Sticking with your quarterly service through the winter helps too, since it keeps a barrier in place while pests are looking for a way in.
Seeing Signs? Let’s Take a Look
Paragon Pest Control is out servicing homes across Dallas Fort Worth all winter. If you’re hearing noises or finding more bugs inside than usual, let’s check it out before it turns into something bigger. Our techs will figure out how they’re getting in and take care of it with your kids and pets in mind.