Cold Weather Doesn’t Keep Everything Away: 5 Common Winter Pests You Should Be Looking Out For

When it comes to critters and other creepy crawlies that can invade your property, you probably only worry about it during the warmer months. 

But while the cold winter can keep people inside, it can do the same for pests. They don’t just magically disappear during the winter – they end up somewhere, and that could be within your home especially since you’ve cranked up the furnace to make things nice and toasty. 

Let’s take a look at some of the common pests that are most likely to seek refuge in your home when the thermometer drops. Some of these might surprise you and have you calling for pest control…

1. Winged Ants

What do you get when you cross a wasp with an ant? Well, that’s not exactly how it works, but you end up with a flying ant. In this case, it’s most likely a winged carpenter ant. 

They can tunnel through the wood in your home much like termites to build their nests. You might inadvertently carry one of these critters into your home when loading firewood, or they might be attracted to something sweet in your pantry. 

Whatever the case, don’t let them hang around long.

2. Mice

Unfortunately, mice aren’t the cute cartoon versions you see with doors to their indoor abodes. 

Instead, they can be quite destructive. They do create “doorways” to hide in walls, but they won’t look like part of your usual decor. They also quite enjoy the taste of certain insulated electrical wires, which can lead to house fires. 

They often leave behind droppings as clues, especially in areas where there are remnants of food. You might not know that mice bites can cause diseases (and even be lethal) due to bacteria, so act quickly before they populate. 

3. Spiders

Having spiders in your home is not always a bad thing, as they can eat other insects. But there’s the brown recluse spider that’s a different story. 

This particular spider can hide away in dark spaces (hence the name), and their bites deliver venom that can cause skin lesions. You may not see them easily, but if you notice a spider infestation in your home, you need to get on it pronto. 

4. Cockroaches

These are not what you want to see any time of year, and the winter is no exception. These creepy-crawlies are incredibly resilient and can feed off of almost any food source available in your home. 

If you’re dealing with an infestation, you will notice a distinct smell. Unfortunately, by this point, it’s probably beyond the DIY level. 

5. Bed Bugs

People like to spend a lot of time snuggling in bed when it’s cold outside, and so do bed bugs. If you see one or two, there likely are a lot more where they came from. 

Bed bugs can hitch a ride into your home on your clothing, and they will bite you while you sleep leaving a trail of telltale red marks. Elimination and further prevention are required. 

Don’t Host Common Pests This Winter

Winter doesn’t mean those common pests like flying ants and spiders will go into hibernation. They very well may choose your home as their winter cottage!

If you notice signs of a house pests infestation, contact us right away!