What Do Insects Do During the Winter?

Writer |

As winter approaches, people are beginning to look for ways to escape the cold. Whether you’re warming up in front of a fire or wearing additional layers, it is likely that you are doing a lot to stay warm as temperatures begin to dip. People aren’t the only ones who are trying to keep themselves warm. Birds migrate, bears hibernate and insects make their way inside where they can stay warm during the winter months—or at least that’s the popular belief. As a provider of pest control in Bartlesville, OK, we’ve actually seen a lot of different tactics employed by insects to ensure that they can weather the winter, and some of them might surprise you:

  • Migration: One of the most consistent tendencies among insects when it gets cold is to migrate. This migration can be across countries, in the case of some butterfly species, or simply from the outside into a building or home. Many insects enter homes to escape cold conditions, but they stick around because all of their basic needs can be met in the confines of a house. They have access to shelter and protection, and they will usually have a reliable source of food, too. During the winter, insects that are already in your home might even migrate to the west side of the house since they will have more exposure to warmth from the sun.
  • Hibernation: Unlike humans, insects are unable to regulate their own body temperatures and create body heat. Their temperature will match the temperature of their surroundings. Because of this, insects are often unable to withstand the cold temperatures of the winter. In order to conserve energy and avoid exposure to extreme temperatures, many types of insects, including ants, will retreat into their nests and hibernate during the winter and emerge once the weather begins to warm up again.
  • Hiding: Even if you don’t see any insects during the winter, you might still have insects hiding out in your home. During the winter, many insects hide in homes and remain out of sight. During this time, a homeowner might not realize that they still need pest control in Bartlesville, OK, but insects will continue to multiply and cause problems. Because of this, it’s important that you continue to take steps to minimize pests in your home.

No matter what time of year it is, pests and insects can find their way into your home or business and cause all sorts of problems. In order to safeguard your space from insects throughout the year, it’s important that you have a plan for pest control in Bartlesville, OK. The first thing you should do when you notice signs of unwanted visitors in your home is to call the professional team at Excellence Pest Control. We have been in business since 2003, and we continue to provide the residents and businesses in our community with fantastic pest control and extermination services. If you are concerned about pests invading your home this winter, or if you have noticed any indication that you could have a problem, give us a call today.