What Insects Are Most Active in the Winter?
Several insects and arachnids remain active—and particularly pesky—throughout the winter. These include:
Cockroaches
You might think roach activity peaks in the summer, but it's actually quite common to see more indoor roaches during the colder months. Why? Your home provides a warm environment, and cockroaches are naturally drawn to indoor heat sources like furnaces rather than braving the freezing temperatures outside.
Although cockroaches can survive near-freezing temperatures, they prefer to avoid the cold when possible. Species found in Georgia—including the American cockroach, German cockroach, Florida woods cockroach, and smoky brown cockroach—will actively seek shelter in warm, moist indoor environments.
Common winter hiding spots include:
- Kitchen
- Bathroom
- Laundry room
- Storage closets
- Attic
- Basement
While some insects stop reproducing in the winter, cockroaches can continue to breed indoors. If you notice even one or two roaches in your home, it’s smart to contact a trusted pest control company to break the reproduction cycle early.
Spiders
Like cockroaches, spiders are frequently seen indoors during winter. However, unlike roaches, spiders don’t come inside looking for warmth. In most cases, they were already inside your home all along.
Spiders reproduce in late summer and into fall. Females inside your home can lay egg sacs that hatch during the breeding season. As winter sets in and prey insects begin migrating indoors, spiders emerge from their hiding spots to hunt—giving the impression of a sudden spider infestation.
Common winter house spiders include:
- American house spider
- Black house spider*
- Black widow spider*
- Brown recluse spider*
- Daddy longlegs
- Jumping spider
- Wolf spider
*Denotes venomous spiders.
Ants
While it's less common to encounter ants indoors during winter, it's certainly possible.
Typically, ants go through a process called overwintering, where they cluster together to conserve body heat, protect the queen, and stay dormant until warmer weather returns. This often occurs deep underground, under tree roots, beneath rocks, or in other protected outdoor locations.
However, sometimes ants will make their way indoors, attracted by warmth, shelter, and—most importantly—food.
Common indoor food sources that attract ants include:
- Crumbs on the floor
- Food debris on counters, stovetops, or in sinks
- Unsealed food in the pantry
- Pet food left out in bowls
If you notice ant activity in your home during the winter, it could be a sign of a larger colony—and a strong indication that ant activity will increase once spring arrives.
Flies
Seeing flies in the house during winter is not unusual for Georgia homeowners. Like many other pests, flies migrate indoors for warmth and shelter.
Common fly species found indoors during colder months include:
- Cluster Flies – Slightly larger than typical houseflies, cluster flies gather in large numbers. Females lay eggs in warm, quiet areas of the home such as attics, basements, under baseboards, or behind walls.
- Fruit Flies – Although fruit flies usually stop reproducing in colder temperatures, they can still be active if they find the right indoor conditions. If they have access to rotting or decaying fruits or vegetables, they can feed and reproduce, potentially leading to a full infestation.
- House Flies – Similar to cluster flies, house flies can survive the winter by living in warm parts of the home. Females lay eggs in quiet, undisturbed areas like attics and basements, and will seek out food in kitchens, pantries, or pet areas.
Dealing With Frustrating Winter Bugs and Other Pests in Your Home This Season? Call Bizzy Bee Exterminators for Effective Pest Control in the Winter.
We offer the solutions and advice you need to treat any bug or spider activity this winter and avoid further pest invasions in the future.
Call us for winter bug control today: 1-800-273-4958
