Natural Pest Control? How Winter Helps Eradicate Pests
Wintertime in the South brings more than just holiday cheer and cooler temperatures—it also brings a break from the many bugs we encounter during the warmer months (and can even act as a natural pest control)! But what actually happens to these bugs? They don’t simply disappear. Keep reading to learn more about where bugs go in the winter.
Winter: The Most Natural Pest Control There Is!
Insects, no matter what stage of life they’re in, are really good at surviving. They employ a number of different strategies in order to make it through the cold weather and into spring. Here are a few of the most common methods they use:
Cold Resistance
The simplest way that some insects survive the cold is that the cold doesn’t bother them at all! For example, honeybees will huddle together for warmth throughout the winter. Spiders are also able to withstand low temperatures! Some bugs will still seek out warm shelter (like your house!) but it isn’t always necessary.
Seeking Shelter
Speaking of warm shelter, many insects will find insulated spaces in or around your home to wait out the winter. Piles of leaves, stacked lumber, or even underneath snow are places you might find bugs hiding out when the weather gets cold.
Migration
Did you know some insects migrate for the winter just like birds do? Insects like butterflies and some species of dragonflies do this at the first hint of colder weather. They’ll find a warmer spot to vacation until spring arrives!
Freeze!
Some insects have the incredible ability to freeze themselves into a sort of hibernation, thawing out and resuming activity when the weather warms up. This is possible thanks to glycerol in their blood. If you ever stumble upon an insect that looks dead, it may in fact just be frozen for the winter!
Sacrifice
It’s not uncommon for some insects to pass on immediately after laying eggs. When it comes to insect species like these, it’s the eggs that have the capability of surviving the cold—not the adults. When warmer weather returns, the eggs hatch and find their own mates!
Seeing Insects in Your Home?
While winter is an excellent natural pest control outside, it doesn’t always keep the bugs away inside. Many kinds of insects will migrate inside once the cold weather hits. After all, your home is warm, dry, and full of food! There are a lot of things you can do to discourage pests from taking up residence inside your house, but sometimes you need to call the professionals. If you’re experiencing a winter infestation, give Vulcan Termite & Pest Control a call today.