When cold weather rolls in, bears go into hibernation, birds migrate south, and we humans layer up with a hoodie or jacket to stay warm. But what happens to pests like ants, mosquitoes, and termites?

Many people assume they just die off. But the truth is that these pests and other insects often devise strategies to make it through winter’s chill. California’s mild climate does not provide a deep freeze – unless you’re in Lake Tahoe or other mountain regions – but cooler overnight temperatures can affect pest behavior.

Clark, California’s friendly pest control, rodent, mosquito, and termite expert, would like to give you the inside scoop on some of the more common pests’ winter survival strategies.

Ants

It’s not all that often you’ll see an army of ants marching across the kitchen counter in winter, but that doesn’t mean they have left town. Ants are successful at overwintering in the great outdoors, including our own yards. During fall months, they indulge in vast amounts of food with the goal of storing fat to survive for weeks on end without eating. When colder overnight temperatures arrive, their own body temperatures – and productivity – decrease significantly, so they will seal up their colony and hunker down in deep soil or under rocks until spring. Once the temperature rises, ants emerge from their overwintering sites, full of energy and ready to forage for food.

Bed bugs

Bed bugs can withstand temperatures from nearly freezing to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes controlling them extremely difficult. However, they often succumb after a few days of exposure to temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The bad news is that homes provide the perfect habitat for bed bugs to survive during the winter months.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches have been around for millions of years, evolving into some of the most adaptable creatures in the world. But are they able to survive cold weather? Most types of cockroaches can survive all year long, as long as they have easy access to a warm, moist environment. The German cockroach, for example, prefers an indoor humid habitat that is close to food and moisture sources. As such, this species often makes itself quite comfortable in residential kitchens and bathrooms, especially during winter months. The American cockroach, on the other hand, will live outdoors in warmer climates. Once the temperature dips, this type of cockroach will migrate en masse into homes.

Mosquitoes

Encountering mosquitoes – and those itchy, red mosquito bites – is inevitable when spending time outdoors during the summer months. But you might be surprised to learn that mosquitoes don’t fall away when cold temperatures move in. Contrary to popular belief, these biting insects overwinter, or hibernate, in protected places like hollow logs. As the weather conditions improve, female mosquitoes awaken and seek a blood source to feed and begin developing eggs.

Termites

What happens to termites during the winter is heavily influenced by the specific species and the climate in which they live. In colder climates, subterranean termites will dig deeper into the soil – below the frost line – to stay warm. Other species, like drywood termites, will seek out dry wood for shelter.

In California, termite activity is constant in and around structures year round. When temperatures rise in spring, especially after spring rains, young male and female termite swarmers – winged reproductives – emerge from their nests to find a mate and new nest location, which often can be inside our homes. In warmer climates or heated homes, where the temperature is controlled, termites can be active all year long.

If you suspect that pests may be overwintering in your home, call California’s trusted, friendly pest control and prevention expert at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or email us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.  

Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home.