Ever wondered where common insects and pests go once the weather gets cooler? Do they grab a hat, coat and mittens and find a place to hide amongst us? We’ll walk you through some well-known pests and their favorite winter hang-out spots.
The rumor that cockroaches would survive a nuclear explosion isn’t all smoke and mirrors—cockroaches are extremely adaptable insects, and acclimate well to cold temperatures. Down south, cockroaches outdoors will seek out the bare necessities, food, warmth, and a place to hide in and around your home. Up north, cockroaches during the winter will be perfectly comfortable sharing your home for food and warmth.
Most fleas will die within a few days if the temperature drops below freezing. However, if they’ve found a warm body—your dog or cat, for instance—they will survive the colder weather. That’s why checking and treating your pets for fleas all year round is important!
Common house flies usually don’t survive the winter, but people often confuse them with cluster flies. Cluster flies search for overwintering locations, and unfortunately this can mean the inside of your home’s walls. Be sure to check cracks or wall voids, as this is commonly where they like to spend the winter once they get inside.
Don’t toss out those cedar blocks just because it’s getting colder! While many types of moths die off in the winter, moths that feed off of natural fabrics can survive all year long inside your home, destroying your favorite clothes and rugs.
You can finally give your bug spray a break! Adult mosquitos die off when the weather gets too cold, and most will lay winter-hardy eggs that hatch in the spring.
Ticks typically don’t die off just because it’s cold, but many become dormant by burying themselves into leaf or debris piles or latching onto a host for warmth. Though tick activity slows during cold weather in the fall and winter, a warm spell may activate the little blood suckers, even in February!
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Don’t get caught in the cold. Our team at Graduate Pest Solutions specializes in prevention. Call us at 413-566-8222 or contact us with any questions or if you are experiencing a pest problem. We have the knowledge and service necessary to help keep your home and workplace pest-free!