Updated on September 10, 2024
Unlike mammals and birds, insects and spiders cannot regulate their internal temperatures, leaving them at the mercy of the winter elements.
So, where do these creatures go when the cold sets in? From deep underground to the nooks of tree bark, here are a few fascinating strategies bugs employ to survive the harsh winter months.
- Honeybees shiver. The constant motion of their wings keeps the inside of the hive warm and the queen safe and protected.
- Spiders produce antifreeze compounds in their bloodstream. These glycol compounds build up in their tissues and lower the temperature at which a spider would freeze, (even when exposed to below-freezing temperatures).
- Mosquitoes hibernate. When temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, they burrow into the ground, trees, logs or other safe places.
- Ants avoid the winter. They drop their body temperature, slow down their movements and seal up their underground colonies.
Other bugs, though, want to come inside your house. They yearn for your perpetually 70-degree-home. These bugs, lacking the skills to produce their own antifreeze or hibernate effectively, are masters at entering and hiding.
Personal story: A personal encounter initially piqued my curiosity about these adaptable creatures. A few years ago, while in Dubai studying insects that thrive in warm climates, I observed a lone brown cockroach navigating the hotel lobby. It scurried past me, seemingly deep in thought—perhaps contemplating its next meal. This moment made me wonder: Could insects from Dubai's warm climate survive a North American winter, or would they too seek refuge in our homes, just like their North American counterparts?
What bugs sneak into your house to survive the winter?
During the colder months, a motley crew of North American bugs—such as the Asian lady beetles, boxelder bugs, stink bugs and cluster flies—seek refuge in cozy spots to survive. These poikilothermic—or cold-blooded—creatures can't produce their own heat (aka maintain their body temperature), so they seek the snug warmth of your house.
Once inside, these insects often slip into a state of diapause—a form of seasonal dormancy. Tucked away in hidden nooks, they snooze through the winter months. Quiet as shadows, they turn your home into their own personal hibernation haven, often without a single sign of their secret residence. Come spring, they might just disappear as quietly as they came, leaving you none the wiser to the winter-long roommates you never knew you had.
Where do these bugs hide?
These bugs scout out seldom-trodden nooks where quiet reigns supreme—perfect for their long winter naps away from the hustle and bustle of human life.
- Asian lady beetles typically gather in protected indoor areas like attics, garages and behind structural fittings to escape the cold.
- Boxelder bugs often find shelter around window casings and in attics and basements, staying close to structural boundaries.
- Stink bugs hide in secluded areas like wall voids, attics and crawl spaces to overwinter.
- Cluster flies gravitate towards dark, undisturbed places like attics, wall voids and basements.
Will they lay eggs in your home?
While Asian lady beetles, boxelder bugs, stink bugs and cluster flies might overwinter in your home, these insects are not there to stay; they will not lay eggs in your home— their breeding frenzies have been placed on pause until they exit.
Note: Additionally, they pose no threat to your pantry, won't attempt to build nests and will not cause any structural damage.
How do these overwintering bugs get into your home?
It’s helpful to know the typical ways these 'winter houseguests' sneak into your home and how to get rid of them:
Asian lady beetles typically squeeze through small gaps around windows, doors and foundations, including under siding and wall voids. To control these beetles, vacuum them up and release them outdoors. The ideal winter-outdoor-release-time is the warmest part of the day.
Boxelder bugs insulate themselves from the cold by entering homes through cracks and crevices. Recognizable by their red and orange markings, these bugs are attracted to boxelder trees nearby.
If you’re seeing them around your home, they’re probably getting food nearby. Boxelder bugs feed almost exclusively on the seeds of boxelder trees, which are incredibly common in nature and grow rapidly. The female tree is commonly recognized for the seed pods, or "helicopters," that drop to the ground in the fall. If you have these trees in your neighborhood, you’re more likely to have a boxelder infestation. To control boxelder bugs, use a vacuum cleaner or broom to remove them without crushing, to avoid attracting other pests.
Stink bugs, responding to reduced daylight, seek shelter from cooler temperatures by entering through vents, chimneys and tiny cracks around doors and windows. To control stink bugs, vacuum up and dispose of the vacuum bag outside. Also, use Six Feet Under Plant-Powered Insect Spray to clean surfaces where stink bugs were found.
Cluster flies, often found indoors during winter, prefer the upper parts of buildings for shelter. Larger and slower than houseflies, they gather in large groups in sunny areas. Common access points for cluster flies include cracks around baseboards, windows or door trims and around fans, lights and utilities. To control cluster flies, vacuum up any visible flies and seal up entry points in the home to prevent more from entering. Note: Avoid spraying pesticides in wall voids; dead cluster flies can attract more pests.
Are cockroaches and silverfish common in homes in the winter?
Cockroaches and silverfish, too, do not do well with cold temperatures. The difference, though, is that these miscreants—in a warm, sheltered, food-rich environment—will continue their regular breeding and replicating activities all winter long. In this section, we'll provide quick tips to eliminate these pests from your home.
Cockroaches are drawn to the warmth of homes and offices, which provide them with the necessary conditions—warmth, water and food—to sustain themselves during the colder months. To control cockroaches, apply Dust to Dust Plant-Powered Insect Powder with the Insect Buster for efficient and environmentally friendly pest control. This method ensures that cockroaches are effectively eradicated by dehydrating them through absorption of oils and fats from their exoskeletons.
Silverfish, on the other hand, prefer humid environments and are often found in damp, secluded areas such as basements and attics. They can remain active in a consistently heated environment but may enter a dormant state if the conditions demand. To control silverfish, reduce humidity with a dehumidifier to make your home less hospitable to silverfish. Also—if you suspect a silverfish infestation— generously sprinkle Dust to Dust on your carpets and around baseboards. Allow the powder to act for a few hours before vacuuming with a HEPA-filter-equipped vacuum.
Three ways to keep bugs out of my house this winter
- Use the Insect Buster with Dust to Dust for effective pest control. This non-toxic powder dehydrates insects on contact and can be applied indoors along baseboards, behind appliances and in other entry points, as well as outdoors around your home's perimeter.
- Create a less permeable house. Seal cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys and underneath the fascia and other openings with good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Repair or replace damaged screens on doors and windows. You can do your own pest control and triumph over these invaders.
- Use Six Feet Under Plant-Powered Insect Spray. This plant-based, non-toxic, kill-on-contact spray will immediately rid your home of any bug activity that you encounter. Use it to wipe away any pheromone rich trails that any of these miscreants have left behind. Without a trail, pests can get forever lost and will be less likely to return to that same location.
