Insects are ectothermic creatures, which means they are cold blooded creatures like lizards. Being ectothermic leaves these creepy crawlies particularly susceptible to the cold, and winter can often be a fatal time of year for many types of bugs. As such, these pests have found different ways to not only cope but survive the inevitable cold each year.

Migration

Similar to birds, a good portion of flying insects have actually taken to migrating during the cold winter months. Probably the most famous insect that is known to take part in such migration is the monarch butterfly, who travels south between August and October each year.

After studying insect migration patterns, it was discovered that insects East of the Rocky Mountains tend to travel to Mexico for the winter while their fellow bugs to the West of the mountain range will make their way to California and surrounding areas to wait out the cold.

Hibernation

Diapause is the insect version of hibernation. Similar to bears and other hibernating creatures, these insects will enter a state of extraordinarily deep sleep in which their metabolic processes slow to a stop. At this time, the bug survives off of stored energy which can last up to a year for some creatures. Eventually, when warmer weather begins to return, the insects will awaken.

During this time, to prevent freezing to death, insects will often engage in one of the following: They can reduce the water concentration levels in their own bodies and dilute present water by introducing more sugars into their cells in order to drastically lower the freezing rate of their bodies, thereby allowing them to survive the frigid temperatures. In other bugs, their bodies will naturally produce cryoprotectants, which are like a form of biological anti-freeze, in the form of glycerol.

In order to both stay warm and stay safe from the risk of being hunted by wintertime opportunists, hibernating insects seek shelter. Surprisingly certain plants’ natural defenses can create these shelters for insects. As an insect begins attaching itself to the plant, it will retaliate by growing defensive layers which eventually encapsulate the bug. While this ends up being counterproductive for the plant, it is highly fortuitous for the hibernating insect. Other insects will burrow into the ground which both maintains a somewhat steady temperature for survival and adds a layer of protection as it is difficult for scavengers to dig through frozen solid earth. And others, find their way into homes…

There are various different conducive conditions during wintertime that can put you at risk of an infestation. Making sure to attend to these wintertime issues can help you prevent an infestation.

Utility Gaps

Rodents and insects will gravitate towards the warmth and shelter of your home, finding any small crack to wriggle their way into your life. To help prevent this, check the utilities around your home, such as hose taps, electrical boxes, and dryer vents, for gaps or cracks that could lead into your home. Sealing these entry points can help ensure you don’t fall pretty to a pest infestation!

Firewood Piles

Collecting wood for your fireplace in the winter is great! Cuddling up by the fire with a warm cup of tea or hot chocolate and a blanket is one of the highlights of snowy weather. But that collection of logs can potentially cause you some problems (and as the weather begins to warm up, this problem intensifies). Wood piles are like a haven for pests. Whether its insects or rodents, the pile provides shelter and warmth, inviting pests to come gather and build nests or homes, so it is important to take the proper precautions to prevent these pests from finding their way into your home. Wood piles should be moved to a location at least 30 feet from your home if possible. This will deter any pests that gather in that wood haven from entering your home and disrupting your life.

Highways to Your Home

Make sure to trim back any trees or bushes that may be touching your home or shed. While seemingly harmless, the branches act like a highway for rodents, spiders, and other pests – taking them straight from your yard onto your roof and, once there, these unwelcome guests often find a way to burrow into your attic and home.