Insect Overwintering – What Insects Survive the Cold?

Author: Emma Grace Crumbley, Entomologist 

Contrary to popular belief (and the hopes and wishes of people who don't like bugs), insects don't just die off during the winter. When temperatures drop, insects and arthropods must make an essential choice for survival: either find a safe space to overwinter or find shelter somewhere warm with plenty of food and water. For insects that choose the latter option… their perfect winter shelter often ends up being inside your home!  

Overwintering vs Invading

Not all bugs choose to come inside when the weather gets unfavorable. Some pests overwinter outside, which is their way of waiting out the weather by embracing the environment and slowing their metabolism until temperatures warm back up. Pests that overwinter outside include ants, beetles, moths, and several types of flies. These insects survive the winter by burrowing themselves in the ground or securing themselves under leaves, bark, or other shelters along the forest floor. True overwintering insects are seldom a worry when it comes to winter pests.

The real winter nuisances are occasional invaders, the insects that choose to come into your home. Occasional invaders are insect pests that move into structures when the temperature drops. Their presence is directly linked to seasonality; the colder it gets, the more that wander in. You may encounter several insect invader pests during the late fall and winter months, including ticks, stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, boxelder bugs, cockroaches, silverfish, house centipedes, and more.

Signs of Pest Problems

Finding insect evidence is the fastest way to determine if you have an infestation and the kind of infestation you have. Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately), most occasional invaders hang out near entry points around your home, so the insect evidence is seeing the pests. Stink bugs, boxelder bugs, and elm seed bugs do not hide themselves very well, usually lingering near doors and windows.

Other pests, however, are very good at staying hidden in your home. Silverfish and house centipedes, for example, prefer dark, damp areas. They usually infest bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Asian lady beetles and roaches, on the other hand, prefer undisturbed places with plenty of warmth. You'd usually find these pests in garages, sheds, and attics.

Aside from finding winter pests around your home, check for moldy, mildewy odors, insect droppings (also called frass, these will look like pepper flakes or coffee grounds scattered around your home), and insect parts (molted exoskeletons, shed wings, or limbs).

Call Mosquito Squad

As experts in the pest control industry for nearly twenty years, Mosquito Squad technicians know how annoying bugs can be. Now, with our Squad Invader Guard pest package, occasional invaders don't stand a chance. Call us today for a free quote and learn more about pest packages near you! Services vary by location.