Seasonal Habits of Common Winter Pests

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.

Do You Need Pest Control in Winter?

When local temperatures drop in New Jersey, many homeowners assume that pests magically disappear until spring. However, the opposite is often true, and it is an unfortunate reality that residents often learn the hard way.

Not only is winter pest control necessary, but it’s also among the most important steps you can take to protect your house from costly damage. When you address pest control in the winter rather than ignore it, you can avoid frustrating infestations that pose health risks and enjoy a safer, cleaner season while spending more cozy time indoors.

Why Winter Pest Control Is Essential

Winter pest control services, like those we provide at Precise, are helpful because many pests move indoors in search of warmth and shelter. Rodents and insects can squeeze through tiny spaces and find everything they need to survive right inside your home.

Common household pests like mice are notorious for reproducing rapidly and not necessarily waiting until spring to have their babies. It’s common for other pests, such as carpenter ants and stink bugs, to go dormant inside your home during the winter. These pests may stay hidden until outside temperatures rise, and then surprise you when you least expect them.

Ultimately, year-round prevention strategies like winter pest control can help you detect problems early so you’re not dealing with an influx of rodents and insects in the spring.

Best Approaches for Pest Control in the Winter

The process of preventing winter pests begins with good home maintenance and mindfulness about how you store food, monitor entry points, and handle moisture buildup. To start, inspect your home for potential entry points through small openings. Common areas are foundation cracks, doors, windows, utility pipes, rooflines, dryer vents, and attic openings.

To be proactive about pest control in the winter, always keep food tightly sealed and stored away in air-tight containers. Since many nuisance pests thrive in damp environments, reduce moisture in your home by fixing leaking faucets, ensuring good ventilation in the kitchen and bathrooms, and keeping outside gutters free of debris.

You can protect the exterior of your home from pests by keeping firewood at least 20 feet from your home, promptly removing leaf piles, and repairing or replacing damaged screens and shingles. If you’re like many people and cook more in the winter, make sure your food prep surfaces are wiped clean of crumbs and spills, and tightly seal garbage to prevent pests.

How Professional Winter Pest Control Can Help

Even with the best DIY prevention protocols in place, pests still find their way indoors in the winter. This is where Precise Termite & Pest Control steps in to provide thorough home inspections, professional extermination services, and safe, targeted treatments you can trust. Our highly skilled technicians offer ongoing monitoring to keep your home protected all winter and customized plans based on your risks and pest history.

Contact Us for Pest Control in the Winter and Year-Round

We hope that you now understand the answer to “Do you need pest control in winter?” and are motivated to take the best care of your home and family this holiday season. Unfortunately, cold weather doesn’t stop pests – it actually drives them right into your home.

To enjoy a pest-free season with less stress and fewer hassles, contact Precise for all your winter pest control needs. You can call us at 866-971-2847 or contact us online to schedule your free inspection and to learn more about pest control in the winter from our pros.