Household Pests to Watch for in the Winter 

Winter brings its fair share of frigid temperatures and snowy conditions here in Western Massachusetts and Upstate New York. As the temperatures start dipping, many residents and businesses start preparing for the colder season ahead. In addition to making sure you’ve got your snow shovels and heating systems ready to go, it’s also time to be on high alert for winter pests who may try to move indoors.  

Many people forget all about pests in winter, believing that the cold weather kills common household pests. However, USX Pest Control spends a lot of time on winter service calls because many critters survive the season by moving indoors. Knowing what to watch for can help you conquer winter bugs and household pests this year.  

Mice  

Did you think mice hibernate during winter? Although some rodents may spend the season in a dormant state, mice do not. Instead, they shift from searching for food and nesting outdoors to making their way inside homes and buildings, where they can find warmth and safety. 

That’s why, even though mice are active year-round, many people experience an uptick in activity in fall and winter. Mice can fit through tiny cracks and openings, including those with diameters as narrow as a quarter-inch, making it easy for them to slip indoors.  

Signs of Mouse Activity 

Mice are nocturnal, so you may not see live mice in action. You may, however, hear them scurrying and scampering inside walls, floors, and ceilings. Other signs include: 

• Droppings, which are usually 1/8 to 1/4 inch long and look like black grains of rice 
• Greasy track marks on floors, baseboards, and walls 
• Gnaw marks on food items, structural elements, wiring, or insulation 
• Stale, musty odors 

Rats  

Like mice, rats come indoors for winter in search of cozy spots to nest, food to eat, and shelter from potential predators. Although rats are a bit larger than mice, they can enter through cracks and other openings as narrow as a half-inch. Norway rats are among the most common rats in our region. They often nest in basements, crawl spaces, and walls. Other species less common to the region may choose nesting locations in attics and wall voids. 

Signs of Rat Activity 

The signs of mice and rat activity are nearly identical. Rat droppings, however, can be as large as one-half to three-quarters of an inch long. If you see live critters, you might be able to tell the difference, as rats are larger and have thick, hairless tails. 

Spiders  

The spiders we have here in Upstate New York and Western Massachusetts, including house spiders, remain active all winter long. For some species, however, activity is a little different than the rest of the year. For example, wolf spiders mate in fall. Males die before winter starts, and females spend the winter indoors.  

Spiders spend much of the winter, as they do other months, in shelters located in quiet areas, such as attics and basements. If you have spiders in your house, it may be because they have found a plentiful food supply inside. Spiders eat many other pests, so their presence may indicate another type of winter pest problem. 

Signs of Spider Activity 

Seeing living or dead spiders in your home is a sure sign that you’ve got spiders living somewhere in your interior spaces. Other things to watch for include: 

• Spider webs and nests 
• Increased number of dead insect bodies  
• Egg sacs, which may be small and wrapped in silken material 
• Unexplained bites or skin irritation on humans 

Bed Bugs  

Bed bugs are resilient home invaders that can withstand below-freezing temperatures for short periods. Unfortunately for us, bed bugs are indoor pests that are typically already in place and cozy by the time the temperature drops. However, increased travel for the winter holidays increases the likelihood of unknowingly spreading them around as they hitch a ride on luggage, clothing, and upholstered items.  

As a result, these blood-drinking pests can thrive during the winter months. Bedding often gets thicker, helping conceal their presence for longer periods.  

Signs of Bed Bug Activity 

To see live (or dead) bugs, you will probably need to be actively looking for them. Bed bugs tend to nest in cracks and crevices, including the seams of mattresses, box springs, and furniture. Other signs to be aware of include: 

• Small red bites or welts on humans 
• Tiny specks of blood on bedding 
• Black spots on bedding and near infested areas 
• Musty odors caused by large-scale bed bug infestations 

Other Winter Pests to Watch Out For 

In addition to mice, rats, spiders, and bed bugs, our region is home to several other pests that can wreak havoc on properties during winter. Three common offenders include the following. 

Stink Bugs 

Stink bugs can be brown or green and have a characteristic shield-like shape. These insects often spend the winter in a state called diapause. This is a period during which they are inactive. Common areas stink bugs choose to spend the winter include attics, window and door moldings, storage areas, basements, behind baseboards, and behind siding. Homeowners often see stink bug activity on warm winter days when the pests briefly come out of diapause.  

Western Conifer Seed Bugs 

The western conifer seed bug, or WCSB for short, lives outside feeding on pinecones during the summer. Once fall temperatures dip, these pests enter buildings to find shelter. They commonly seek out cracks and crevices and often emerge near windows during warmer winter days. Although they don’t damage structures or bite humans and pets, these bugs can be a real pest. They emit a strong odor when they’re disturbed, much like the stink bugs they’re often mistaken for.  

Additionally, WCSBs that overwinter in homes and other buildings typically die before spring. Their bodies may attract other pests, like silverfish. 

Cluster Flies  

Cluster flies are among the most common flies found indoors during winter. These insects move indoors to find shelter from the cold and windy conditions. As the adults find safe, warm shelters, they also lay their eggs. Cluster fly eggs hatch during winter, with nests often located in walls and other out-of-the-way places. Sealing cracks, crevices, and openings in buildings before fall can help prevent these pests from affecting your home this season.  

Professional Pest Control and Exclusion Services 

Mice and rats carry dozens of diseases and can contaminate your home with their urine, droppings, and saliva. Spiders may bite, with some species only causing mild discomfort, while others could trigger an allergic reaction or transmit dangerous venom. Bed bugs can reproduce quickly and escalate to large infestations that are difficult to control. Other insects aren’t harmful, but they can be quite a nuisance. 

Calling for prompt professional pest control at the first sign of trouble helps you avoid widespread infestations. Additionally, enrolling in a year-round treatment program keeps pests at bay all year long. 

To prevent them altogether, consider getting a professional inspection to identify potential entry points. Sealing them off or investing in a Rodent and Wildlife Exclusion System, which provides a chemical-free, permanent barrier, can reduce pest activity year-round. 

Contact USX Pest Today 

If you see signs of rodents, winter bugs, or other household pests, we can help. USX Pest was founded on the promise of delivering exceptional service. We tailor our treatment plans to each unique property and provide innovative services to help keep your home safe and pest-free.  

Contact USX Pest to get started with a free inspection.