Where Do Winter Pests Go? A Complete Guide to Bugs, Rodents & More in Cold Weather

Seasonal Habits of Common Winter Pestsspider in web during winter season

It’s easy to assume that insects and rodents hibernate or disappear during the cold winter months, since we start seeing fewer of them here in New Jersey. But in reality, many pests remain active throughout the winter and may even move closer to and into your home as temperatures drop.

So, where do bugs go in the winter, and where do mice go in the winter when they’re less visible day to day? The experts at Precise Termite & Pest Control answer these questions to help you tackle common winter pests and stay one step ahead of them year-round.

Where Do Bugs Go in the Winter?

Some bug species migrate in winter, while others hide in dark spaces and enter buildings for warmth. Insects like carpenter ants and stink bugs commonly take up shelter in homes after slipping through small cracks around windows, doors, and insulation. Insects like mosquitoes may go dormant in a hibernation-like state during the winter to conserve energy in protected indoor spaces.

Ants may retreat deep underground to their insulated chambers in the winter, while spiders find shelter under leaves, logs, and rocks. Termites tend to remain active year-round, infesting wooden structures and living in warm soil.

Meanwhile, ticks can stay active on mild winter days above 40 degrees and hide in tall grasses and wooded areas. Extreme weather doesn’t eliminate tick populations; in fact, snow can insulate and protect them, ensuring their survival until spring.

Where Do Mice Go in the Winter?

In the winter, mice love moving into your home and raiding your pantry while staying safe and warm. Mice and rats love indoor environments in the winter because they provide food, water, shelter, and heat. Mice commonly enter through attics, basements, garages, and wall voids.

Rodents continue breeding year-round, even during the winter. Mice that remain outside commonly nest in wood piles, burrows under porches, and in sheds and garages.

Common Winter Pests to Watch For

Here are some of the most common winter pests to keep an eye out for this season because of how they stay active in cold weather and near homes:

  • Spiders
  • Silverfish
  • Mice & Rats
  • Rodents

Protecting Your Home from Winter Pests

Once you understand where common winter pests go during the colder months, you can focus on troublesome entry points, accessible food sources, and areas with excess moisture. You can also tidy up the exterior of your home to prevent winter pests by moving firewood away from your home, trimming branches that touch your roof, and clearing fallen leaves.

Contact Us for Help with New Jersey’s Common Winter Pests

Indeed, the most concerning insects and rodents don’t simply disappear just because it’s winter in New Jersey. But this is why Precise Termite & Pest Control is available to help you with your pest concerns year-round.

It’s crucial to stay ahead of winter pests and shield your home before they have a chance to settle in, reproduce, or cause damage. At the first signs of winter pest activity, we recommend calling us at 866-971-2847 or filling out our online form.

We offer free inspections and prompt, professional extermination service to help you enjoy the winter season in comfort and peace.