Winter isn’t typically the season people associate with pest problems. However, as temperatures drop, certain critters take advantage of the cold months to seek warmth and shelter in your home or apartment. To protect your home, it’s essential to take specific preventative measures before these unwelcome guests settle in.

This DRA guide will help you identify the most common winter pests, understand the risks they pose, and take proactive steps to keep them out of your living space.

WHY DO PESTS INVADE HOMES DURING WINTER?

While some insects and rodents hibernate, others remain active, searching for warmth, food, and moisture inside homes. Here’s why some pests become a problem during winter:

Shelter from the cold: Pests like rodents, cockroaches, and some spider species move indoors to find protection from freezing temperatures. Attics, basements, and wall voids provide ideal hiding spots.

Increased moisture indoors: While winter air is dry, certain areas like bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms retain humidity, attracting silverfish and cockroaches.

Food shortages: With less food available outdoors, pests turn to kitchens and pantries for nourishment. You might notice ants in your house, as they scavenge for crumbs and spills.

Hitchhiking pests: Some pests, including fleas, enter homes by latching onto pets, clothing, or secondhand furniture. Even during colder months, fleas can survive indoors where it’s warm.

Many pests seek indoor spaces to overwinter, the process by which they survive through the winter months. Pests like stink bugs, boxelder bugs, and ladybugs enter a dormant state and hide inside walls, often going unnoticed until the infestation has grown too large.

A DRA-certified inspection can help identify and address these hidden invaders before they become a problem. Schedule yours today.

WHICH PESTS ARE COMMON IN WINTER?

Even in the colder months, several seasonal pests remain active, seeking warmth and food inside homes. Here are some of the most common winter invaders:

• German Cockroaches: These are the most common cockroaches species. They are resilient and thrive indoors, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, where warmth and moisture are abundant. They reproduce quickly, making infestations difficult to control without proper sanitation and treatment.
• Brown Recluse Spiders: Preferring dark, undisturbed spaces like basements, attics, and storage boxes, these spiders can pose a health risk. Their venomous bite can cause skin irritation or more serious reactions in some individuals.
• Raccoons: These nocturnal creatures often invade attics, crawl spaces, and chimneys in search of warmth and shelter. They can cause significant property damage by tearing insulation, chewing wires, and leaving behind droppings.
• House Mice & Rats: As temperatures drop, rodents squeeze through even the smallest openings to find warmth, food, and nesting spots. They chew through wires, contaminate food, and spread diseases, making them one of the most troublesome winter pests.
• Bed Bugs: Unlike other pests that slow down in winter, bed bugs remain active year-round. They hitchhike indoors through luggage, secondhand furniture, and clothing, feeding on human blood and spreading rapidly if left untreated.
• Silverfish: These small, moisture-loving insects hide in damp areas like bathrooms, basements, and storage spaces. They feed on paper, fabrics, and dry goods, making them a nuisance in homes with cluttered storage areas.
• Pantry Pests: Moths, beetles, and weevils can infest stored grains, flour, and other dry goods. Without proper food storage, they can spread quickly, contaminating entire pantries and causing food waste.

Understanding which seasonal pests are most common can help homeowners take proactive steps to keep them out before they become a problem.

HOW TO PREVENT WINTER PEST INFESTATIONS

• Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for cracks, gaps around windows and doors, and any holes in the foundation.
• Maintain Cleanliness: Proper food storage is essential. Keep food in airtight containers and clean up crumbs and spills promptly. Regular vacuuming and decluttering also help eliminate pest hiding spots.
• Reduce Moisture: Pests like silverfish and cockroaches are attracted to damp environments. Fix any leaks around plumbing or windows, and use dehumidifiers in damp areas like basements and bathrooms.
• Use Pest-Proof Storage: Ensure that pantry items such as grains, flour, and dry goods are stored in airtight containers to prevent pantry pests like beetles and moths from infesting your food.
• Regular Inspections: Check basements, attics, and other hidden spaces for signs of infestations. Look for droppings, nests, or unusual damage. Early detection can help prevent larger infestations.

These simple steps can go a long way in preventing winter pests from invading your home during the colder months.

WHEN TO CALL A PROFESSIONAL EXTERMINATOR?

If you notice increased pest activity, such as visible droppings, nests, or damaged food and property, it may be a sign of a larger infestation. Pests can multiply quickly, so it’s essential to address the issue early before it worsens.

A professional exterminator can identify hidden entry points, assess the extent of the infestation, and implement targeted treatments to eliminate unwanted guests before they cause significant damage. Winter critters are more likely to seek shelter indoors, and a trained expert can help ensure your home remains pest-free throughout the season.

If you’re dealing with a persistent pest problem or want to be proactive this winter, contact DRA today. Our expert team is here to help with inspections, treatments, and long-term prevention strategies to protect your home. Schedule your first inspection today!