What happens to bugs in the winter?

The winter season is coming and we should prepare ourselves for facing any bugs or insects around us. Different bugs may have different habits during the winter season. By being aware of the habits of different bugs, you can find the best ways for controlling these insects on your property. Some insects are exothermic, so they cannot produce their heat. Therefore, they are going to be mainly dependent on the environmental temperature.

Others cannot survive in the freezing winter temperature. However, some other bugs can produce something like an anti-freezing agent in their body. Their hemolymph contains a high amount of glycerol which will protect them from freezing during this winter season. Depending on the species, the bugs may overwinter as adults, pupae, larvae, or eggs. They are going to migrate, die, or go into the diapause phase until the warm temperature returns. 


Most cockroach species will never survive at a low temperature which is lower than 15’ Fahrenheit. During the winter season, most of them will move indoors for finding some warm areas, for example, basements or attic spaces. The low temperature will also slow down their development rate. Although cockroaches may be present during the winter season, they will be reproducing at a very slow rate. Some species will overwinter in the diapause state before they can continue moving around during the warm season. 


Spiders are very common to be found in any property. Some spider species, such as black widow spiders, are going to overwinter inside buildings or other shelters on the outdoor areas. They are going to be less active during the cold winter season. Another reason for the low spider activity during this winter season is that many prey species are also less active during this season. Winter can be the best time for you to remove any cobwebs and spiders in any area in your home. Removing these insects will reduce their activities in the seasons that follow.


It’s important to understand that most ants are going to be active in warmer seasons. They usually make tunnels underground, so they can hide during the winter season. They tend to avoid cold ambient temperatures for staying alive in the cold season. Certain ant species, such as the Argentine Ants can survive the freezing winter temperature because they are usually nesting around the pine trees. The bark of these pine trees can absorb the sunlight, so they can provide a warm temperature for the Argentine ants for finding foods during the winter season. 


In the United States, you will be able to find many different types of ticks that are available around you. Different ticks will have different behaviors during the cold period. Some species of ticks, such as Lone Star ticks and American dog ticks are inactive in the winter season. Some other species, such as Black-legged ticks may still be active and are therefore looking for food during the winter season. They can be active as long as the temperature is not freezing. However, their activity will be greatly reduced during the freezing temps. They are going to reduce their activity levels, so they can conserve water to accumulate substances, such as glycerol. This substance is very useful to protect themselves from the freezing temperature. 


Different mosquitoes may have different habits during this freezing season. Female mosquitoes in some genera, such as Culiseta, Culex, and Anopheles, will overwinter in the diapause state. They will stop feeding blood and increase their fat reserves. Some of them may overwinter while having eggs in their bodies. Male mosquitoes will never enter the diapause state. They usually die due to low temperatures. Most mosquitoes are going to be active again when springtime arrives. 


Monarch butterflies can be used as a good example of an insect that will migrate to warmer climates. They usually move to the areas with warm temperatures, for example, Mexico and the southern part of California. Some of them will be in the reproductive diapause state as a preparation state for the southern migration. During the spring migration, these butterflies will leave Mexico in March or April to travel back to the north. They will lay their eggs during this period.

Protecting your home from bugs invading your cozy home this winter is as easy as calling EcoShield Pest Solutions. Our professional pest solution technicians are standing by to serve you.