16 Winter Bugs You May Run Into This Chilly Winter Season
When we think of winter, the first visions that come to mind are seasonal favorites like snowflakes, ice skating, a crackling fire, hot cocoa, and other cozy thoughts. But the cold temperatures don’t just drive us inside to warm our fingers around a hot mug. They also send certain bugs inside to keep warm, and this guide on winter bugs will explain what they are and what you can do about them throughout the cold season.
Common Winter Bugs
As the temperatures drop, we all spend more time inside. That’s not just us humans, but also certain insects that we often see during the early months of the year. The following are some of the most common winter bugs that we’re likely to run into from December to the warmer days of March and April.
Few bugs can survive winter temperatures without taking shelter in some way. Most insects seek soil to burrow into or rocks to live under, however many insects prefer a good old-fashioned 3-bedroom, one-bath on Main Street.
Note: Not all of the following winter insects will try to make it into your home during cold weather and cause a pest problem. Some are simply living their best lives outside in the freezing temperatures, and you may see them if you’re out and about.
Ants
Ants are one of the most common winter bug infestations that folks have to deal with. However, in most cases, they were in the home long before the temperatures drop. We may start to see ants in kitchens as they’re looking for food to make it through the long, scarce winter months. This is especially true for folks who keep their homes warm over the winter.
What You Can Do About Them
If you’re in a colder climate and see ants in the winter, you probably have a year-round ant infestation on your hands. Ants will likely follow the same trails back and forth from the nest, so you may be able to locate the colony by following them. Once you find them, you can set up ant baits (they can be particularly effective in the winter), spread diatomaceous earth in areas they’re likely to frequent, and place sticky traps out to catch individuals.
However, if these are carpenter ants, it may be better to call a pest control professional to assess the situation before it gets worse.
Beetles
There are thousands of species of beetles, and while they’re all slightly different, many seek shelter in the form of a cozy home during cold weather. Elm leaf beetles, click beetles, and others may pass through cracks and gaps around windows and doors so they can stay cozy in the winter.
What You Can Do About Them
As is the case with many winter bugs, the best bet is to prevent them from coming into the home. A good jumpstart on keeping winter bugs out may be by caulking and sealing any entryways that they may use, and installing weather stripping around doors to keep beetles out.
For beetles that are already inside, there is good news: these types of beetles usually develop very slowly, so vacuuming up the few you see is generally all you need to do to prevent an infestation. That is, except for drugstore beetles, which we’ve written an entire how-to guide on removing them.
Ladybugs and Asian Lady Beetles
Despite the freezing temperatures, ladybugs will often winter outside. But Asian lady beetles, on the other hand, seek shelter indoors, away from the cold weather where temperatures are relatively consistent and stable.
Although they’re generally considered beneficial, Asian lady beetles are invasive, and on very warm days, they’ll collect on the south side of a house in massive numbers (these are the Asian lady beetles, not true ladybugs). Not a great look for folks who get the creeps over a bunch of crawling winter insects.
What You Can Do About Them
Handle ladybugs and Asian lady beetles the same way you would handle click or elm leaf beetles. Seal cracks around the home, weatherstrip the doors, and seal any gaps to keep them out. If they’re inside, vacuum them up.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs are relatively new to the US, having only made their way here from Asia in the late 1990s. However, in the 25 or so Decembers that they’ve been here, they’ve enjoyed overwintering in our homes and buildings, eating our household items and pooping yellow fluid on our curtains.
These winter insects sneak into tiny cracks and gaps and remain hidden until spring, or until an unseasonably warm day pushes them out from their cracks in search of an exit.
What You Can Do About Them
Getting rid of stink bugs can be really difficult, especially over the winter when seek shelter tucked away in small cracks and crevices. But, while prevention is best, our suggestion is to vacuum these bugs up and then empty the canister outside. They can easily crawl back out of most vacuums, so be sure to get rid of them quickly.
Also, since the bugs that wake in winter are looking to get outside, they’ll often congregate by windows and doors. A thin film of diatomaceous earth in these areas can reduce the number of bugs within the home over time.
Silverfish
Man, silverfish are awful. First, they like damp, warm places, so your basement in the winter is the perfect place. And though they won’t hurt humans or pets, they can contaminate food and damage household goods in kitchen cabinets or on the floor.
If a female silverfish has the opportunity, she can lay thousands of eggs and start an infestation in no time.
What You Can Do About Them
One of the best ways to control silverfish populations is to keep basements warm and moisture-free over the winter. Also, allowing pincher bugs to handle them is another option, and one that we particularly like. However, for folks who need them gone right away, there are a few methods to try to get rid of these winter insects.
First, sticky traps can do a decent job of collecting individual silverfish. However, a film of diatomaceous earth or boric acid can be even more effective. Just know that if the basement is wet, DE will not work for long, and boric acid can be dangerous to pets and children.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches aren’t native to the US, originating in warmer climates. For that reason, they need to spend the winter inside to survive.
While cockroaches might slow down a bit in the winter, they still actively feed and reproduce, and infestations can take hold very quickly. And, since they can create health concerns for humans and trail icky yellow fluid around, it’s critical to act quickly.
But just make sure whatever bug you’re chasing is actually a roach. There are lots of insects that look similar, but this guide will help decipher those bugs from cockroaches.
What You Can Do About Them
Cockroaches are one of the pests that we suggest homeowners call professional pest control services. These nasty creatures reproduce very quickly, and if your first attempt misses just a few, they can return to full strength in a matter of weeks.
However, for those determined to have a go at it, the best methods for getting rid of cockroaches are sticky traps, bait stations, and DE powder. Also, be sure to caulk the gaps around the house well prior to winter to keep them from making their way in at all.
Spiders
Not only do spiders prefer to stay seek shelter and warmth in the winter, but they also want to follow their food, AKA, other common winter bugs.
And, to be honest, most spiders would prefer to be inside anyway, as they don’t have to worry about predators like birds or lizards. For that reason, they’re one of the most common bugs (arachnids) homeowners and renters will find during the winter months.
What You Can Do About Them
Obviously, you can swat these pests and kill them, but if the female has had a chance to lay eggs, there’s a very good chance a spider infestation may be brewing. Again, it’s best to keep them out in the first place, but there are other options as well.
First, do your best to control the other pest species in the house. Spiders will only stay if there is food, and if you’re cleaning up all of their potential meals, they’ll leave. Second, spray diatomaceous earth powder into cracks, corners, crevices, and anywhere else spiders are likely to hang out. DE powder is very effective at killing these and other pests, and it’s generally harmless for pets and people.
Ticks
Ticks might not infest a home, but these bloodsuckers can be just as dangerous in the winter as they are throughout other times of the year.
Winter’s cold temps drive us inside, but when it hits 45 degrees or more, we all tend to rush outside for some fresh air. So do ticks. Some ticks may become active on warmer days, and they cling to shirts, shoes, pants, boots, or anything else they can get a hold of while we’re outside living the good life on a warm winter day. Once they latch on, they can transmit diseases and cause serious health concerns.
Note: With extremely mild winters, populations like ticks, fleas, and chiggers are likely to reach exceptionally high numbers in the spring seasons.
What You Can Do About Them
The best thing to do after being outside is to wash clothes and immediately check your entire body for ticks. This may involve getting help from a very open-minded partner, or looking in the mirror. Remember, these bugs often travel toward body heat, so they can hide in some tight or, ahem, difficult-to-see places.
Termites
Few bugs terrify homeowners like termites, and they’re another pest we’re likely to see in the winter. But the reason we see this winter bug when it’s cold is not that they’re more active in temperatures drop. It’s simply because these voracious eaters never stop, continuing to feed and mate year round.
Plus, many DIYers tackle their indoor projects during the winter, and this is often when white ants or termites are discovered.
What You Can Do About Them
Like roaches and some other insects, we suggest homeowners use a pest control professional service for their termite problems. These wood destroying insects can scatter when sprayed, causing them to start new colonies without the homeowner even knowing. However, if the homeowner is so inclined to fight these bugs on their own, termite baits are often the best bet.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are a year-round nuisance, but they can be a real problem in the winter, but how might surprise you. These bugs don’t slip through window cracks or underneath doors, but rather they attach to the luggage and clothing we bring into hotels on our vacations and holidays away from colder temperatures. They can cling to jackets, bags, and other fabrics on public transportation. They can even move from winter coat to winter coat on the rack at a daycare center.
Once they come home, pregnant female bed bugs will begin laying eggs immediately, causing one of the worst winter bug infestations someone can deal with.
What You Can Do About Them
First, don’t fret because bed bugs sound much worse than they actually are. Next, if you see a bed bug, you should act quickly to get ahead of a winter bug infestation. Start by vacuuming everything really well, every day. Throw any linens, coats, or clothing in a dryer and turn it to high heat. If you have luggage, leave it in an unheated garage as cold temperatures will kill these bugs, as well. Finally, use a high-quality spray to treat any areas where these pests might hang out. If that doesn’t work, go with a bed bug steamer to eradicate these pests.
Boxelder Bugs
If you’ve seen a black bug with bright orange or red patterns over the winter, you might have boxelder bugs in the house. While these bugs aren’t dangerous for humans or pets, they can damage trees and plants (mostly maple or ash trees, though). They’ll hide most of the winter, seeking shelter from cold temperatures, but if the house’s or outside temperatures get warm enough, they may make an appearance.
What You Can Do About Them
Boxelder bugs aren’t likely to infest a home like other insects, so chances are that there aren’t many in the home. For this reason, a simple solution made from soap and water sprayed onto an individual box elder bug will do the trick. If you’re seeing them on window sills, go ahead and dust the sill with some diatomaceous earth to control the population.
Snow fleas and Springtails
Springtails are weird little bugs, but most of them aren’t active over the winter months. However, one species of springtail does quite well in the winter, and they’re called snow fleas.
Snow fleas have an anti freeze protein in their bodies that keeps them from dying in the winter. As such, they can survive in moist places like wooded areas full of decomposing leaf piles and organic matter, as well as in a basement or near plumbing leaks. Luckily, they’re generally beneficial, though a pile of them can freak out a homeowner.
What You Can Do About Them
If the goal is to get rid of these bugs, it’s often best to leave the lights on, turn up the heat, and reduce the humidity and moisture in the air. Fix any leaks, as well. Also, treating the areas they frequent with an insecticide product designed for these bugs will work as well. If the moisture is under control, a quick sprinkle of diatomaceous earth will also do the trick. However, if the DE powder gets wet, it will lose its effectiveness.
Snow Flies
Snow flies are one of the strangest and least understood bugs out there. Unlike most winter bugs, these bugs are out and about when it is really cold (20 degrees or lower!).
These so-called flies are relatives of the crane fly, and they look very similar, with long legs and slender bodies. However, they don’t have wings. They spend most of their lives in the subnivean level, which is the zone between the ground and the snowpack, traveling through rodent holes and patches created by vegetation. They only make their way to the snow’s surface to mate, as far as we know.
What You Can Do About Them
Nothing. It’s unlikely that a snow fly will ever make its way into your house. But, should one make it in, you might as well collect it and toss it outside, or, should you hate the thought of picking one up, give it a smush.
Stoneflies
Another cool bug you might find during the cold winter is the stonefly. Winter stoneflies are long, thin bugs with wings, and these insects survive cold weather and emerge as adult insects in late winter and early spring. They live on stones in creeks and rivers. Rather than using their wings, they stay low to the ground and crawl everywhere they go (for the most part).
What You Can Do About Them
Stoneflies are somewhat of a phenomenon. They only thrive in clean, oxygen-rich water, and they don’t hurt humans, animals, plants, or trees, and they have no interest in entering homes. For that reason, there’s no reason to do anything about stoneflies in winter.
Western Conifer Seed Bug
Western conifer seed bugs are often mistaken for stink bugs, and it’s for good reason: they’re super similar. They look similar and both emit a smell when threatened (though the seed bug’s is less pronounced). They also both make their way into homes and create a nuisance rather than a health hazard.
What You Can Do About Them
You’ll want to take the same approach with seed bugs as you do their stinky brethren and other insects. You’ll want to vacuum up individuals and lay a film of diatomaceous earth powder on window sills. It’s not a great idea to smush them as they do smell.
Aphids
Out in the wild, aphids make it through winter as eggs, with adults dying in the extreme temperatures. However, aphids can make it all the way through winter on house plants, showing up at inopportune times and skeeving some folks right out.
What You Can Do About Them
You can handle aphids in several ways. First, consider using a sticky trap that collects aphids as they walk across. Next, you can apply neem oil to the plant to suffocate the aphids that are present. Also, consider using insecticidal soap which you can make at home using dish detergent and water.
FAQs
Those are a lot of bugs that can do quite well in the winter, while some might simply infest a home year-round. But even with all of that information on winter insects, there may be some additional questions bugging you. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions about winter bugs.
What kind of bugs come out in the winter?
Bugs that come out in winter are typically stoneflies, snow fleas, and snow flies. However, bugs that make their way into your home and pester you all winter can be ladybugs and Asian lady beetles, the brown marmorated stink bug, beetles, termites, and more.
Why are there bugs in my house in the winter?
Most of the bugs in your house this winter are either from established nests (ants and termites), but those that simply choose to overwinter in your house are doing so because they are seeking shelter, warmth, and access to food.
How do you get rid of winter bugs?
It depends on what winter bugs you’re dealing with. Termites, cockroaches, and stink bugs might require a pest control professional to get rid of these bugs. However, simply adjusting the thermostat while also lowering the humidity may take care of winter bugs like silverfish.
